Photo spot in San Gimignano
Piazza del Duomo and the Torre Grossa
The upper square, ringed by seven towers, with the tallest of them climbable for the view straight down onto the roofs.
About Piazza del Duomo and the Torre Grossa
Get directionsPiazza del Duomo sits one level above the Cisterna and is the harder, more formal square: broad steps up to the collegiate church, the Palazzo Comunale on one side, and seven towers around it including the Torre Grossa, at 54 metres the tallest in town.
The steps are the frame everyone uses, and rightly — they give height, a clean stone background and room for a group. Two of the twin Salvucci towers stand directly behind, which is the shot that says San Gimignano without needing the whole skyline.
At the top of the Torre Grossa the view is straight down onto terracotta roofs with the other towers rising out of them, and the vineyards beyond. It is a genuine climb up stone stairs and a final ladder-like flight, and the platform is small.
The tower is ticketed through the Palazzo Comunale and closes in the late afternoon, earlier in winter — check the day's hours, because the square outside stays open long after the tower does not.
Best time to shoot
Mid-morning on the steps; the tower is best an hour before it closes
Tips
The steps face north-east, so they are in even shade most of the afternoon — good for portraits without squinting. Bags are awkward on the tower stairs; leave what you can below.
Photographers who shoot at Piazza del Duomo and the Torre Grossa
Hand-picked professionals working in San Gimignano
Real reviews from San Gimignano photoshoots
Ann-Marie T.
My husband Ted and I started planning our elopement at the end of 2020. Planning a wedding, no matter how big or how small, still requires a lot of decisions and meticulous organisation. In our case it also took complete trust in our…
Stefano C.
Photographer
Martina E.
A heartfelt thank you for capturing our Venice dream. I can't believe it was August 21st and here we are still floating on air, and much of that magic is because of you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of our…
Stefano C.
Photographer
Other spots in San Gimignano
Piazza della Cisterna
A sloping triangle of herringbone brick around a thirteenth-century well, walled in on all sides by tower houses.
Rocca di Montestaffoli
A ruined fourteenth-century fortress at the top of the town with a free public terrace over the roofs, the towers and the Val d'Elsa.
Via San Giovanni and the vineyard approach
The town's main street running down to Porta San Giovanni, and the road beyond it where all fourteen towers line up at once.
Ready to book?
Our concierge team will hand-pick 2-3 photographers who know Piazza del Duomo and the Torre Grossa — free of charge.
