View from the top of one of the 14 remaining towers in San Gimignano. Originally there were 72 towers and the city is still known as San Gimignano of the Fine Towers. Little is known about the origins of this city but it is believed to date back to the 3rd or 2nd century BC as an Etruscan site. Today, San Gimignano is one of Europe's best preserved cities. The city became a free commune in 1199, but internal fights between the Ardinghelli family (Guelph) and the Salvucci family (Ghibelline) over the next two centuries caused deep divisions and rivalry. Most towers were built during this period as status symbols, the height of the towers depending on the families wealth. This picture was taken in July 1997 and later scanned. Thanks for visiting, Sig...