<P> San Gimignano ( Italian pronunciation : ( san dʒimiɲˈɲaːno ) ) is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena , Tuscany , north - central Italy . Known as the Town of Fine Towers , San Gimignano is famous for its medieval architecture , unique in the preservation of about a dozen of its tower houses , which , with its hilltop setting and encircling walls , form `` an unforgettable skyline '' . Within the walls , the well - preserved buildings include notable examples of both Romanesque and Gothic architecture , with outstanding examples of secular buildings as well as churches . The Palazzo Comunale , the Collegiate Church and Church of Sant ' Agostino contain frescos , including cycles dating from the 14th and 15th centuries . The `` Historic Centre of San Gimignano '' is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The town also is known for saffron , the Golden Ham , and its white wine , Vernaccia di San Gimignano , produced from the ancient variety of Vernaccia grape which is grown on the sandstone hillsides of the area . </P>
like many northern italian medieval towns s. gimignano is distinctive for its
medieval architecture saffron the Golden Ham its white wine