Medieval skyscrapers of San Gimignano

This small Italian medieval town located in the famous Tuscany, 56 kilometers from Florence. Its appearance resembles a medieval town Manhattan.

Up until the 1,353th year, for over 150 years, San Gimignano was an independent prosperous city. And then, it has absorbed Florence. From this point on, the city was dominated by two families: Ardinghelli and Salvuchchi. They staged a "race" to the title of the owner of the highest house in the city. Why, then, tall towers were a symbol of wealth and power. The competition is so absorbed family, by the end of XIV-th century in the city there were 72 high-rise buildings, with some height over 70 meters. Racing ended only after the ban on the construction of buildings higher than the City Palace. To date, only 14 managed to keep these "skyscrapers».
























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