Normal no. of persons: 4 Max. no. of extra persons: (for beds see description) 1 Size: 90 sqm Floor: Ground+2 TV: Yes (only Italian) Beds (doubles/singles): 1 / 2 Bathrooms: 2 Central heating: Yes Fireplace: Yes Dishwasher: No Oven: No Washing machine: Yes Swimming pool: No Terrace/balcony: No Garden: Yes Wine/olive oil production: No / No Distance to San Gimignano: - Distance to Siena: 35.0 km Distance to Florence: 50.0 km

PARKING in San Gimignano: The parking in San Gimignano is all round the historic centre (access to the historic centre is for residents only). Residents cannot park in town unless they have their own private parking space. They also have to park outside the town. Most of the public parking is in pay car parks. These charge by the hour and are quite expensive. We are able to offer you to park in a private car park at the price of Euro 25 per week. The use of this car park is not obligatory. If you decide not to use this car park, you will not have to pay this parking fee. There is free car parking on the outskirts of the town. You will need to watch the signs carefully as parking is restricted or not allowed at certain times (e.g road cleaning, local markets, school pick up times etc). These parking areas are further from the property you are renting (approx 10 - 15 mins walk) than the private car park we are offering you. Let us know at the time of reservation if you would like a space in the private car park. The fee of 25 Euros will be payable locally to the owner of the car park.

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Ground Floor: Entrance hall > Bathroom with small bath with hand shower, basin, bidet and toilet. > Living room with sitting area with 2 settees and fireplace.

Middle Floor: Kitchen with hob (4 gas rings), fridge, fireplace, dining area with table, chairs and bench seating > Washing machine > Single bedroom with television (Italian only).

Top Floor: Double bedroom > Single bedroom (an extra person can be accommodated on another bed that pulls out from the single bed on request) > Shower room with shower cubicle, basin, bidet and toilet. Central heating > Garden.

Over a thousand years old La Porta delle Fonti is a unique house which can be identified on the oldest maps ever found of the town of San Gimignano. Originally the gatekeepers abode it is the tower adjacent to the ancient ‘Gate of the Fountains’ a picturesque gateway in the walls of the town that leads to the public fountains. The fountains just a short walk away are on the site of a primitive 9th century well and were enriched with a series of arches in Romanesque-gothic style during the 12th and 14th centuries. They were used for washing clothes, drawing water and for the washing of sheep's wool when the wool industry flourished in the town 500 years ago. There was a gatekeeper for each of the various entrances into the town and it was their job to patrol the walls. They had to rigorously shut the gates at dusk and could only reopen them at dawn, a very serious task to keep out invaders and any unsavoury characters from the town.

Over the centuries the house fell to ruin and was rescued some ten years ago by the current owners who have fully restored it whilst preserving its unique character. It is now a lovely three storey house in a tranquil position on the edge of the town. The main historic centre of San Gimignano, and its wealth of monuments, craft shops and restaurants is only 5 minutes walk away via the medieval lanes, or via a panoramic walkway along the walls lined with umbrella pines, and dotted with benches. The famous medieval towers can be viewed above the house and from some of its windows, as well as on looking up from the house’s garden. The rustic garden, just a few steps from the house on the other side of the archway is slightly sloping and runs along the edge of the walls. It is furnished with table and chairs and is an ideal spot for relaxing and dining alfresco.

This unusual house, with beamed ceilings in all of its rooms, is comfortably furnished in traditional Tuscan style and has a cosy atmosphere. The owners have retained two lovely fireplaces, one in the ground floor lounge and the other in the pretty country style kitchen which is perfect for grilling meats over glowing embers in true Tuscan style. 1,000 years old La Porta delle Fonti is a unique house and a welcome addition to our selection of properties in the historic centre of San Gimignano.

Cars are restricted inside the city of San Gimignano; you may drive to the apartment for off loading and loading your luggage, but otherwise it must be parked in one of the car parks just a short walk outside the city walls.