Torri degli Ardinghelli (Ardinghelli Towers), San Gimignano

The Ardinghelli Towers form a prominent part of the fourteen medieval towers that grace San Gimignano. These towers are situated in the Cistern Square, at the corner where it meets the Cathedral Square.

The Ardinghelli family, the leading Ghibelline faction in San Gimignano, were fierce rivals of the Guelph Salvucci family. They amassed wealth through trade and finance, cultivating commercial connections with Lombardy and the East.

Dating back to the flourishing era of construction in San Gimignano, particularly the 13th century, the two Ardinghelli Towers emerged as notable structures. In defiance of the explicit prohibition imposed in 1255, these towers surpassed the height of the Rognosa Tower, the town hall tower that measured around 52 meters. The Ardinghelli Towers were constructed in response to the similarly "outlawed" twin towers of the nearby Salvucci family.

The tower adjacent to the loggia, which stands almost fifty meters tall, remained intact until 1870 when it was reduced by nearly two-thirds due to stability concerns. In the 1930s, it was raised by a few meters. Originally, the two towers were connected by an arch, and the bases of this arch can still be observed above the current roof level. The other tower, characterized by large openings on its lower floors, has been partially filled in and decapitated in ancient times.

Although both towers possess a quadrilateral base, they exhibit notable differences in their architectural features. The tower on the right is narrower and boasts a more austere medieval appearance. Its facade showcases well-cut, visible stone drafts, with a few narrow single-lancet windows and a loophole.

Conversely, the left tower has a larger surface area and is adorned with substantial arched windows. These windows suggest a structural utilization of arches to alleviate the weight of the masonry. While some of these openings have been filled with brick, their original form remains discernible. Regularly spaced scaffolding holes adorn the tower's height, and the ground floor features a portal with an architrave.