La Torre Grossa - San Gimignano
When I daydream about places and experiences that I have had in Italy I am blessed with a wonderous display of images and memories that dance through my head. Some come and go quickly and others stay so that their excitement and emotion can be relived again in another season of life. My visit to La Torre Grossa in San Gimignano is one of the latter. A group of moments so captivating and dreamy that they will forever be carved into my soul. Years from now I know I will still feel the emotions that the soft breeze carried to me on that misty fall afternoon when I found myself looking out at the countryside from La Torre Grossa.
MY EXPERIENCE - My first glimpses as I approach this enchanting hill town are ones of familiarity. The memories from a trip long ago have faded, but the connection to this long ago experience remains. Standing at the main arch leading into the historic center, I can see before me on the hill, the spectacular reason I am here today. La Torre Grossa. The ascending walk past colorful ceramic filled shops, bars, and gelaterias is worth the effort as it drops me into a lively, cafe filled, wishing well piazza. Looking up, I squint in the light as I focus on what I came here to see.
LA TORRE GROSSA
The stillness inside the quiet afternoon of the tower carries an almost haunting feeling as deep moving music plays to a flickering trip through the tower's past on a screen that stretches through the spiraling stairs. The 218 steps that feel as though they are carrying me back through time pass quickly, and as one last steep ladder takes me out of the darkness and into the light, the excitement and anticipation inside me grows.
My eyes are taken upwards as the ancient bell overhead inevitably takes my attention before the view hits my rising gaze. When the cool wind touches my face I close my eyes as if the caress of the breeze, and a deep breath are what my heart desires most. The air is light and carries with it the delicate sweetness of fall. My eyes open when the sun runs a ray of light across my face telling me it's time to finally see what lies before me. Immediately the sweeping soul stirring view has me in it's sway. The white sparkles of the sun on the mist, the vivid rainbow of greens on the fields and rolling hills, the clay and mossy yellow rooftops against the cool gray stone. A picture couldn't be painted this perfect. As the sun, mist and clouds dance together in the distance, it is almost impossible to look away from the captivating and ever changing scene. A curious look over the thick stone walls shows a world of serenity below and for a moment it seems as though life is on pause. There is a feeling of timelessness in the tranquility around me, almost as though the past and the present are at one here and we have merely stepped in to celebrate with it for a moment. A gust of wind seems to break the calm silence, and as it does, the rising clouds show me the most heavenly display yet. Almost as if to tell me that this magical experience is nearing the end. I sit in the moment letting the breeze kiss my face one last time. I smile with deep satisfaction and gratitude for the moments that had just been savored. And as one sweet moment comes to an end another one is about to start….
If only I could share the breeze with you…
Visiting La Torre Grossa in San Gimignano
La Torre Grossa is a world heritage site and it is located in the historic center of San Gimignano, in the province of Siena in Tuscany. It is one of the remaining 13 towers out of the original 72 that spread across the skyline. It is the tallest of the remaining towers as well, standing at 177ft 2in (54 m.) It’s construction started in 1300 and finished in 1310. The stone walls measure 6 1/2 feet (2 meters) thick. It served both as a military watch tower and as the city’s bell tower. Today the tower also houses the civic museum which is included in the cost of your ticket.
The tower has 218 steps with no lift but the staircases are large and there are landings to pause for a breath if needed. At the very top there is a ladder/steep staircase that takes you out into the open. Once you are out you will be welcomed with breathtaking panoramic views of the city, piazzas and Tuscan countryside so make sure to bring your camera :)
San Gimignano is approx. an hours drive from Florence by car. There are regular buses that service here from Florence or you can take the train from Florence to Pongibonsi and then transfer to a bus for the rest of the ride. Rome is approx. 3 hours drive by car. This is a great town for a day trip.
The tower is located at Piazza Duomo, 2, 53037 San Gimignano. The museum and tower are open Monday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. Last entrance is 30 minutes before the closing time. Tickets are € 9,00 each. Official website >> HERE <<
