I rested this 5th day in San Gimignano with all its remaining medieval towers that were built by wealthy and noble families to show their immense wealth and power during this period. These "tower-houses" also served as fortified homes and a means of defense against rivals and attackers, with height being a direct symbol of a family's status.
It amazes me that a little town with only 7000 to 8,000 people can become such a tourist Mecca. I asked myself what I was actually seeing—it seems a stage with thousands of people visiting a place they felt they needed to visit. And because they’re here, it’s turning my simple stopover into a much richer experience.
The main church here is a so-called Collegiate Church, never becoming a cathedral, a bishop’s seat, but gaining significant importance. The defining feature is the college or chapter of clerics (canons) attached to it. Historically, Collegiate Churches served both religious duties and were associated with educational institutions like universities or colleges, especially after the Reformation.
