Torre dei Becci - San Gimignano - Tuscany

One of the fourteen surviving medieval towers in the Tuscan pearl of San Gimignano is the tower of the Becci family. Located by the ancient Arco dei Becci, it is one of the landmarks of Piazza della Cisterna. The history of this tower dates back to the 13th century, as does that of the adjacent palace building, which can be accessed from Via degli Innocenti. The tower, with a very simple square base, is illuminated in the highest part only by vague, very narrow slits.

The Becci family was one of the foremost local merchants who also held important public offices during San Gimignano's heyday. The family's residential tower is one of the tallest - and therefore one of the most striking - buildings in 'medieval Manhattan'.

Willem Vandenameele