'San Gimignano delle belle Torri' is located 35 miles south of Florence. It served as an important relay point for pilgrims traveling to or from Rome on the Via Francigena. The patrician families who controlled the town built around 72 tower-houses (some as high as 50 m) as symbols of their wealth and power. Although only 14 have survived, San Gimignano still has its feudal atmosphere and appearance.