Stefano Orazzini
San Gimignano
The village of San Gimignano is located in the heart of Tuscany, halfway between the cities of Florence and Siena. It is known throughout the world for its towers, built in the Middle Ages between 1100 and 1300 by the wealthy families of the time as a sign of power and wealth. Today there are 13, but the chronicles of the time tell that there were over 70. The wealth of San Gimignano in medieval times was due to its strategic position, along the Via Francigena that pilgrims traveled to reach Rome. It thus became a transit area that gave impetus to markets, the exchange of money, and agricultural activities such as the production of Vernaccia wine and saffron, which are still typical products of this area today. Centuries later, San Gimignano is still an important stop for pilgrimages of the Francigena or simply for those who love trekking or cycling, through the hills of Tuscany among splendid landscapes rich in vineyards and olive groves. My collection of San Gimignano photographs is the result of visits in different seasons and times. I love to explore the territory of San Gimignano with my bicycle or hike through the country roads to take pictures from original locations: from the skyline of the towers under the snow, to the green summer landscapes of the Vernaccia vineyards that surround the village, up to the fiery sunsets in late autumn.
