Piazza della Cisterna
The first thing you notice is the well. Octagonal, travertine, worn smooth at the rim where centuries of rope have cut grooves into the stone — the 1287 cistern sits at the centre of the piazza like a quiet anchor while everything else moves around it. Five medieval towers rise from the surrounding palaces, and the bases of five more are still visible pressed into the façades, a skyline compressed into a single triangular square.
This was always a working place: a market, a stage for tournaments, a crossroads where the Via Francigena met the road between Pisa and Siena. The building that once split it in two is gone — the Ridolfi tower collapsed in 1646, taking the family palace with it — and what remains is one of the best-preserved medieval squares in Italy.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who come back tend to arrive early, before the tour groups reach the square, and sit with a coffee watching the light work its way down the towers. Gelateria Dondoli is on the piazza itself — the queue forms fast and the saffron flavour is worth the wait. Thursday morning brings a produce market to the main squares.
The story behind Piazza della Cisterna
The piazza took its current shape over several centuries. In the 1200s it was actually two separate squares — Piazza dell'Olmo and Piazza delle Taverne — divided by the palace and tower of the Ridolfi family. The cistern was built in 1287 to supply water to this busy commercial intersection, and in 1346 Podestà Guccio dei Malavolti enlarged it. At the end of the thirteenth century, the Ardinghelli, San Gimignano's most powerful Ghibelline family, built their towers over the square's edge.
The unification of the two piazzas was accidental: in 1646 the Ridolfi tower collapsed and brought the palace down with it, opening up the single triangular space you walk into today. The Arco dei Becci at the southwest corner, flanked by the Torre dei Becci and Torre dei Cugnanesi, marks one of the square's oldest boundaries.
Good to know
The piazza is free and open at all hours. San Gimignano's centre is car-free; park outside the walls (P1 Giubileo is €6 for 24 hours) and walk in, or take the shuttle from Porta San Giovanni. May, June, and September are the most comfortable months — July and August are crowded and very hot.
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer the most comfortable conditions, with mild temperatures and reasonable crowds. January is the coldest and least sunny month; August is the hottest and the most congested, with daytime highs reaching around 31°C.
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What travellers say about Piazza della Cisterna
San Gimignano is a stunning medieval town with iconic towers and breathtaking views over the Tuscan countryside. The historic center is charming, full of history, shops, and local food. A must-visit destination that feels like stepping back in time.
Beautiful open square in San gimignano. Here you will also find the gekato award winning Dondoli shop and the places is magical just to sit and sick in the Beautiful surroundings and provides a good break from narrow lanes of San Gimignano.
We love the medieval "village" at the heart of the uniquely beautiful city of San Gimignano. The city is well preserved, and it feels like it's frozen in time. One can imagine how these folks with their horses going about their business during those days. The atmosphere in the morning is peaceful and if you enjoy your running, this city has many interesting elevation to add to your training. The cobblestone is another challenge that keeps you vigilant and to train your foot placement. Expect loads of visitors as the day approach to lunch and dinner. Food and drinks (wine & beer) are tops, as the Italians are proud of their traditional culinary and wine culture.
The Piazza della Cisterna is one of the most beautiful and famous squares in San Gimignano, a medieval town .since the 1990s the square — and San Gimignano as a whole — has become quite touristy. During the main travel season, it can feel crowded, with many souvenir shops and large tour groups. Still, early mornings or late evenings often bring back the magic of its medieval charm.
The most beautiful piazza in San Gimignano that gets very crowded during the day, but turns into a fairy tale after sunset (if you have accomodation inside the old city, you can enjoy such beauty). It is filled with history, dark stories, but is also nicely kept. And if you want to try "la dolce vita", just buy some Riserva wine in a restaurant nearby, sit and enjoy the view, the changing lights, the music (in summer, there are concerts nearby) and the wine.
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