Torre del Diavolo, Medieval tower house in San Gimignano, Italy.
Torre del Diavolo is a medieval tower house that rises from Piazza della Cisterna with a white limestone facade and wooden beam supports protruding along the upper sections. The building features a double-height entrance portal and small defensive windows demonstrating medieval protective methods.
The tower rose during the 13th century when wealthy families in San Gimignano built vertical residences to display their economic power and social rank. This building style was typical of the period of prosperity and family competition in the medieval town.
Craftspeople who made gold leaf operated workshops at the base of this tower, supplying pilgrims traveling the Via Francigena with their valuable products. This trade shaped daily life around the building for generations.
Access to the tower is from Piazza della Cisterna, where you can view the architecture well from outside the building. It is best to visit early in the day when the plaza is less crowded.
Records report that a former owner once claimed the tower mysteriously grew taller during his absence. This unusual claim led to the name Devil's Tower and made the building a subject of local legends.
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