Medieval sources

Leaving the city and walking down a short descent of Via delle Fonti we come to what in the medieval period were a primary asset for the sustenance and life of the citizens of San Gimignano. The ancient medieval public springs are a true historical record and for a long time were the only method of water supply for the entire city. The inhabitants could use the water directly from the spring, and livestock could also drink from the secondary tanks. The springs consist of a series of stone-vaulted basins drawing ten arches, six in the Romanesque round-arched style made in the 13th century and four in the Gothic style dating from the 14th century. Until the last century, women did their laundry in the washing troughs of these springs and filled bottles and flasks to bring fresh water into the house. The ancient fountains are an evocative corner of the city to be discovered with a pleasant walk by exiting right from Porta delle Fonti, one of the ancient openings in the walls of San Gimignano.