Piazza Della Cisterna
Piazza Della Cisterna
4.5
About
San Gimignano's main square has the town's 13th-century cistern, or well, in the center surrounded by some of the town's majestic towers.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Piazza Della Cisterna
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
106 within 5 kms
Attractions
157 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,557 reviews
Excellent
968
Very good
517
Average
63
Poor
4
Terrible
5
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
westy54
Sydney, Australia13,401 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
This is the main piazza in San Gimignano and is located at the intersection of the via Francigena and the via Pisa-Siena. It is rectangular in shape, slopes downhill and has a brick surface. It is surrounded by some medieval buildings and towers. There are also two fantastic gelaterias, one having won the World gelato crown a couple of times and the other claiming to make the best gelato in the world (without any awards acknowledging this).
In the middle of the piazza is a cistern which is capped by a travertine octagonal pedestal that was built in 1346. The underground cistern was built in 1287 and gives its name to the piazza.
We visited a couple of days before Christmas and could not believe how devoid of tourists it was, which for us, was fantastic.
In the middle of the piazza is a cistern which is capped by a travertine octagonal pedestal that was built in 1346. The underground cistern was built in 1287 and gives its name to the piazza.
We visited a couple of days before Christmas and could not believe how devoid of tourists it was, which for us, was fantastic.
Written April 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonnie H
Danbury, CT21 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
The piazza cisterns is a lovely spot to take pictures of the towers and to get gelato. There are covered areas to get out of the sun on hot days. In winter, the town is much less crowded and you can wander around taking photos of the interesting architecture.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
diana a
Naples, Italy133 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
San Gimignano is a very historical Tuscan hill town, however is is waay overrated in my opinion. Parking is quite a nightmare and it is a crowded and very touristy place. Compared to other hill towns in the area, its not my favorite, but it's still a place to check out if you are in the area. Get there early, otherwise there will be no parking and you'll either have to walk 2km to get up to the town, or you'll have to wait for the shuttle bus which only arrives every hour and is packed with tourists.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ag17022000
618 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
A picturesque square indeed, even spectacular if you look up at the sky, but the Thursday morning market combined with the incessant comings and goings of tourists meant that it took me a little time to fully appreciate it, and to enjoy the magnificent rows of medieval tower houses that surround the cistern. Empty, it would probably be a unique environment in the world; remains very valid, suffocated by the crowds of San Gimignano who gather here above all to take advantage of some of the most renowned places (in particular two ice cream parlors which boast some of the best ice cream in the world and receive queues accordingly; a quick online search suggests to me that at least one of the two is clearly wrong, but I admit that I didn't delve deeper and that I stopped at a flatbread that was perhaps not cheap, but very good, made by a local vintner). Note the monumental complex of undoubted value that it forms with the nearby Piazza del Duomo and delle Erbe.
Written August 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mjs03
Valencia, Spain662 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
We spent 4 nights in May in San Gimignano and our hotel was located in the Piazza della Cisterna. It is a beautiful, medieval square, which now has a few bar/restaurant/wine bars and a few ice cream shops. It was lovely to have a drink or snack at any of the terrace bars, especially in the evening. Be sure to try the ice cream at Dondoli!!
Written June 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LostInTime
Pittsburgh, PA23,162 contributions
Apr 2024 • Business
The square is up thru the town near the top. It has a couple tours. The cistern is in the middle. Also a couple gelato places. It feels somewhat like the 16th century and it’s awesome how well preserved it is. A great spot.
Written April 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ingrid
Del Rio, TN10 contributions
Jan 2021
The tourists ought to enjoy places if antiquity to have its own place. Not haggled by vendors selling everything under the sun. This place should change for the better.
Written February 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
europaolo
Adelaide, Australia167 contributions
This piazza is at the top of the hill in centre of San Gimignano surrounded by lovely old medieval buildings and the town's well. There are many lovely cafes, enoteca and the highlight is the amazing gelati at Pluripremiata which boasts a number of world champion gelati awards and a who's who list/photos of patrons - from sports stars, film stars, celebrities and politicians. It would be the best gelati my wife and I have ever tried!!
There was a constant queue into the piazza at all times (Sept. 2009)
There was a constant queue into the piazza at all times (Sept. 2009)
Written February 18, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shashank Sisinthy
Bengaluru, India103 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
The towns central square, home to many medieval houses and a central well which was once the main source of water. Had a great time looking at all visible towers, arches, windows and doors from another era. Get one of the world's best gelatos here to keep you engaged.
Written December 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara M
Arlington, TX54 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
We were there on Market Day. The vendors sold lovely and beautiful goods. Be sure to bargain!
The cistern where in earlier days people would fetch water is a good photo opp.
The cistern where in earlier days people would fetch water is a good photo opp.
Written October 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing