San Gimignano, Siena, Italy Jul 30, 2024

These medieval towers stand tall over San Gimignano, a small town near Siena in north central Italy. In the Middle Ages, the town grew up around a church dedicated to Saint Geminianus—San Gimignano in Italian. As well as being a popular stop for pilgrims on their way to Rome, the town prospered thanks to its trade in local Vernaccia wine and in saffron, which is grown in the nearby hills. However, when the Black Death struck in 1348, half the population was lost, slowing the town"s development and preserving its medieval character to this day.

© MNStudio/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

Jul 30, 2025Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jun 1, 2025Barrier reef off Grande Terre, New Caledonia, France
Apr 8, 2025Piazza Maggiore, Bologna, Italy
Apr 15, 2025Castillo de La Calahorra, Granada, Spain
Aug 16, 2025Colourful beehives, Italy
Jun 24, 2025Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Utah, United States
Mar 25, 2024Tulip fields in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
Dec 3, 2024Amber Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Aug 27, 2023Jeju Island, South Korea
Apr 9, 2024Tulip fields in spring, Skagit Valley, Washington, USA
Oct 29, 2025Ancient til trees in Fanal Forest, Madeira, Portugal
Nov 28, 2024Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, Canada
Oct 14, 2025Village of Oia, Santorini, Greece
Oct 8, 2024Mototi octopus
Aug 23, 2024Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand
Aug 19, 2025Flysch in Zumaia, Basque Country, Spain
Feb 24, 2024Almond trees in full bloom, California, USA
Oct 26, 2023Schönbrunn Palace Park, Vienna, Austria
Aug 20, 2025The citadel in Bonifacio, Southern Corsica, France
Apr 16, 2025Kachina Bridge, Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah, United States
Nov 27, 2025Eastbourne Pier, England
Mar 7, 2025Plum blossoms, China
Jan 14, 2026Fortress of Palamidi, Nafplio, Greece
Aug 24, 2024Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, USA
Dec 18, 2025Temple of the Sun, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, United States
May 18, 2024Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Canada
Aug 3, 2024Three Natural Bridges, Wulong National Park, China
Dec 29, 2024Borobudur temple, Java, Indonesia
Feb 2, 2024Alpine marmot
Nov 14, 2025Mother manatee and calf
May 29, 2024Eurasian otters