San Miniato is a small town located along the via Francigena, which in the Middle ages was connected Rome with Europe. Good geographical location in the heart of the Arno valley at the intersection of highway leading to Florence, Pisa, Lucca and Siena, had always made him powerful. Here he loved to visit the Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, and Popes Gregory V and Eugene IV. Here, in 1533, the great Michelangelo met Pope Clement VII, who commissioned the artist to work on the Sistine chapel.

According to archaeologists, in ancient times the territory of San Miniato was inhabited by the Etruscans and later the Romans, - talking about it discovered the ruins of the necropolis of the 3rd century BC in the town of Fontevivo and the ruins of a Roman Villa in Antonini. Artifacts from these ruins are today on display in the City Museum.

San Miniato began to play an important role during the reign of Emperor Frederick II Barbarossa – then in this town was the residence of the Imperial delegates in Tuscany. In the Middle ages it was even called San Miniato al Tedesco – German San Miniato. Later this was the diocese. The construction of the Seminary, stands out for its frescoed facade, and the restoration of the Episcopal Palace, located on Cathedral square, were also made in that period.

Centuries of history have left in San Miniato numerous artistic and architectural value, which today is admired by tourists. At a certain elevation above the town is a charming area of Prato del Duomo, framed among the oldest and most famous buildings of San Miniato, including the Palazzo Comunale, the Episcopal Palace, the Palazzo dei Vicari 14th-century Cathedral.

In the historic city centre is a fascinating Museum complex, consisting of eight exhibition centers enjoy on a single ticket. Definitely worth a visit and Rocca Federiciano – tower, built in 1217-1223, and named in honor of the Emperor Frederick II. She stands on top of a hill and is part of the old fortress of San Miniato. There is a beautiful view of the city, the Arno valley and the hills of Volterra, and in clear days, the coast of the Tyrrhenian sea.

Among the other attractions of the city can be called Oratorios Aretino, Episcopal Museum of Religious Art and the Archaeological Museum.