圣吉米尼亚诺，锡耶纳，托斯卡纳大区，意大利亚 San Gimignano, Siena, Tuscany, Italy (© MNStudio/Shutterstock)

圣吉米尼亚诺，锡耶纳，托斯卡纳大区，意大利亚 San Gimignano, Siena, Tuscany, Italy (© MNStudio/Shutterstock)

中世纪的曼哈顿 A medieval Manhattan

圣吉米尼亚诺，锡耶纳，意大利亚

这些中世纪塔楼高高耸立在意大利中北部锡耶纳附近的小镇圣吉米尼亚诺。中世纪时，围绕着一座供奉圣吉米亚努斯的教堂（意大利语为“圣吉米尼亚诺”），一个小镇逐渐发展起来。除了是朝圣者前往罗马的必经之地外，该镇还因当地的维奈西卡葡萄酒和附近山上种植的藏红花而繁荣起来。然而，1348年席卷欧洲的黑死病减缓了小镇的发展，小镇人口损失过半，至今仍保留着中世纪的特色。

圣吉米尼亚诺最著名的景观是由14座塔楼组成的天际线。这些高低错落的塔楼是两个家族争相建造最高塔楼的结果。到中世纪末期，小镇上共有72座塔楼，但由于战争、其他灾难和建筑工程，许多塔楼都已不复存在。如今，最高的塔楼是格罗萨塔楼（其名“Torre Grossa”在意大利语中意为 “大塔”），建于1310年，高177英尺，令人难以置信。难怪这个小镇常被人们称为“中世纪的曼哈顿”。

San Gimignano, Siena Tuscany, Italy

These medieval towers stand tall over San Gimignano, a small town near Siena in north central Italy. In the Middle Ages, a town grew up around a church dedicated to St. Geminianus (San Gimignano in Italian). As well as being a popular stop for pilgrims on their way to Rome, the town prospered thanks to its trade in local Vernaccia wine and in saffron, which is grown in the nearby hills. However, when the Black Death struck in 1348, half the population was lost, slowing the town's development and preserving its medieval character to this day.

San Gimignano's most recognizable feature is its skyline, made up of 14 towers. These impressive structures were the result of a rivalry between two families, each competing to build the tallest tower-house. By the end of the medieval period, there were 72 towers in the town, although because of wars, other catastrophes, and building projects, many were lost. Today, the tallest tower still standing is the Torre Grossa (Big Tower). Built in 1310, it stands at an incredible 177 feet. It's no wonder that the town is sometimes called the Manhattan of the Middle Ages.