In the heart of San Gimignano is Piazza della Cisterna, a crossroads of paths and trade since the Middle Ages. Built in the 13th century at the crossroads between the Via Francigena and the routes to Pisa and Siena, the square owes its name to the large underground cistern built in 1287, today surmounted by an elegant octagonal well in travertine. Around this space developed the public life of the city: markets, festivals, meetings. Surrounded by aristocratic towers and historic palazzi, the square has always been the pulsating centre of San Gimignano, and still retains its atmosphere intact today.
The palace that houses Hotel Leon Bianco stands on this very square, within the oldest part of the town. Over time, it has belonged to important San Gimignano families: the Cattani, powerful owners of towers and mansions, and the Gregorios, eminent figures in communal times. From 1448 until the end of the 17th century, ownership passed to the Cortesi family, originally from Pavia. It was probably they who made the main architectural interventions, giving the palace its current 15th-century imprint: an elegant combination of medieval austerity and Renaissance refinement.
Today, the Palazzo Cortesi-Lolli, renovated with discretion and care while preserving its original spirit, is the home of the Hotel Leon Bianco. Amidst stone and brick, cross vaults, exposed arches and terracotta floors, one can perceive centuries of history, living and transformations. The entrance opens onto Piazza della Cisterna; at the back is the Palazzo del Podestà, and next door are Piazza del Duomo and Vicolo dell'Oro. In our inner courtyard, a medieval well reminds us every day where we are: at the centre of history, in a place that lives on.
