Medieval Museum San Gimignano 1300. A Must see in San Gimignano

Yesterday I spent the day in San Gimignano, because I wanted to visit the Medieval Museum San Gimignano 1300 and want to take some new pictures for my app guide about San Gimignano. Unfortunately for the pictures it rained, but I Had a great time at the museum!

The museum is located inside the walls just few steps from the Duomo and Palazzo del Podestà. It is set in the basement of the ancient tower of the Ficarelli family, that has been carefully restored and it’s the perfect place for this museum. San Gimignano 1300 is more than a museum since you can experience both the Middle Ages and the contemporary art, together with arts and crafts from local artists and artisans. In fact it is also called “Center for the arts San Gimignano 1300“.

The medieval museum exposed the faithful reconstruction of the city of San Gimignano as it was in 1300 at its maximum splendor. It’s incredible! Every single piece is made with attention to the detail after two years of historical research. In fact a team of artisans and historians had carefully studied hundreds of documents to find out how the city looked at that time. You can see all the 72 towers used to be in town, how the buildings used to be, including how the toilets were!. Believe me it’s amazing.

It is a full immersion in the Middle Ages. In fact you can also hear how the life was in 1300 within the city walls, both during the day and the night. Moving to the second room you can admire how the life in the street was, with artisans working, children playing and people chatting thanks to larger reconstructions. And you can admire how the lost Convent of Saint Francis was in 1300.

Then visit the workshop and the shop. I was able to see Michelangelo and his assistant to work on the new and exciting project of Monteriggioni in 1300. As you in the picture below they’ve just set most of the massive defensive walls of Monteriggioni. Incredible looking at them working. It looks so easy and it’s not. I also suggest you look around the beautiful ceramics on the shelter. All ceramics are one-of-a-kind and are produced following the ancient techniques and using natural colors. They all represents medieval and Renaissance designs coming from Tuscan masters. In fact I recognized some works form Montelupo and Cafaggiolo. They can be the perfect souvenir for you and your beloved ones.

Last but not least, there is the newest part of the complex that is iSculpture, contemporary art gallery of Italian artists. All the artists use medieval and traditional techniques to work medieval materials as wood and pottery for their works. Even though most of them are young and unknown I think they are all excellent artists.

 San Gimignano 1300 opens every day from 9 am to 8 pm in summer ( to 7pm in winter). The ticket costs 5 euro per person and 3 euro for children over 6 years. Included in the ticket price there is a free guided tour to the museum. I personally recommend you visit this great museum, especially for those traveling with children. You all love it!

For more information visit the official website SanGimignano 1300!