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, a 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 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

Perfect, pastoral Palouse
The ‘eighth wonder?’
Jul. 30, 2025International Day of Friendship
Jul 30, 2026Monument Valley, Navajo Nation, Arizona, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Mar. 12, 2024Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
Sep. 18, 2023Milky Way over Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park
Jan. 10, 2026The Matterhorn reflected in Lake Stellisee at sunrise, Zermatt, Switzerland
A delightfully ornate Easter display
Apr. 13, 2024Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
Dec. 17, 2024Traditional red fishermens cabins, Reine, Norway
May 6, 2025An ultralight aircraft flying over the sands of Namibia
Aug. 5, 2025Tide pools in La Jolla, California, United States
Keyholes to the kingdom
Scenic Mount Michener
Nov. 30, 2025Christmas market in Leipzig, Germany
Feb. 2, 2026Groundhog Day
Peek-a-boo, I see you!
Nov. 25, 2024Maasai giraffes in Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Fit for a fairytale
Nov. 11, 2023Young Peak, British Columbia
Jun 19, 2026La Rocchetta Lighthouse, Piombino, Italy
Nov. 6, 2024Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington, United States
Oct 20, 2026International Sloth Day
Pastel perfection
A galaxy full of stars
Jan. 6, 2025Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
Apr. 2, 2025Sandstone formations in the badlands near Caineville, Utah, United States
Aug. 8, 2025The Three Musketeers Falls at Iguazú Falls, Argentina
Jun 13, 2026Sunset in Badlands National Park, South Dakota, United States
Chilling out on an ice floe
Jun. 10, 2025Everglades National Park, Florida, United States
Apr. 20, 2026Buckets on maple trees collecting sap for maple syrup
Nov. 27, 2025Eastbourne Pier, East Sussex, England
Jun. 2, 2024Annas hummingbird