What are some perfectly preserved medieval towns that are like stepping back in time? Here are a few... 🧵 
1. Monteriggioni, Italy
Italy's most intact walled medieval settlement. Except for some 16th century restorations, almost no work has been done since these structures were built in 1219.
Italy's most intact walled medieval settlement. Except for some 16th century restorations, almost no work has been done since these structures were built in 1219.
2. San Gimignano, Italy
Medieval Italy is perhaps best known for its towers. San Gimignano once had over 70 of them, not 14. They were built in competitive spirit with one another - families that built the tallest won the greatest status.
Medieval Italy is perhaps best known for its towers. San Gimignano once had over 70 of them, not 14. They were built in competitive spirit with one another - families that built the tallest won the greatest status.
And Bologna was once the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages", with a skyline of around 200 towers - mostly around 25m but some as high as 100m.
3. Visby, Gotland, Sweden
Scandinavia's best preserved medieval trading town, belonging to the Hanseatic League. The 13th century form has been kept remarkably well, largely without sprawling beyond its 3.5km of original limestone walls.
Scandinavia's best preserved medieval trading town, belonging to the Hanseatic League. The 13th century form has been kept remarkably well, largely without sprawling beyond its 3.5km of original limestone walls.
4. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
A Bavarian imperial city of perfect half-timbered homes, largely sparred from WW2 damage. Maybe Europe's most beautiful medieval town, it's encircled by an imposing 14th-century wall.
A Bavarian imperial city of perfect half-timbered homes, largely sparred from WW2 damage. Maybe Europe's most beautiful medieval town, it's encircled by an imposing 14th-century wall.
5. York, England
York has the most intact medieval walls in England, and some of the best-kept medieval streets anywhere. The reason this street (the "Shambles") was built so narrow was to keep the meat being sold in shopfronts out of direct sunlight.
York has the most intact medieval walls in England, and some of the best-kept medieval streets anywhere. The reason this street (the "Shambles") was built so narrow was to keep the meat being sold in shopfronts out of direct sunlight.
6. Carcassonne, France
Europe's largest medieval fortress is this walled citadel - one which (as legend has it) withstood the siege of Charlemagne, who wanted the city for himself. The medieval walls (extensively restored later on) are straight from a fairytale.
Europe's largest medieval fortress is this walled citadel - one which (as legend has it) withstood the siege of Charlemagne, who wanted the city for himself. The medieval walls (extensively restored later on) are straight from a fairytale.
7. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
A fairytale town that perfectly encapsulates the ideal city of the middle ages - a maze of narrow, twisting alleyways and a 13th century hilltop castle.
A fairytale town that perfectly encapsulates the ideal city of the middle ages - a maze of narrow, twisting alleyways and a 13th century hilltop castle.
8. The Old City of Sana’a, Yemen
One outside of Europe: Yemen's Middle Age "skyscraper" city - more than 6,000 homes built before the 11th century are still standing today.
One outside of Europe: Yemen's Middle Age "skyscraper" city - more than 6,000 homes built before the 11th century are still standing today.
9. Mont-Saint-Michel, France
A tidal island commune in Normandy, sometimes known as the wonder of the Western world. The abbey was completed in the Late Middle Ages, but a church of some form has crowned the mount for over 1,000 years.
A tidal island commune in Normandy, sometimes known as the wonder of the Western world. The abbey was completed in the Late Middle Ages, but a church of some form has crowned the mount for over 1,000 years.
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