Alexander Prolygin's photos

The church of San Gimignano di Sant'Agostino is visible in the distance in the center of the picture San Gimignano is a town in the province of Siena, located on top of a hill 334 m high, was founded as a small village in the 3rd century BC by the Etruscans. The village turned into a city in the 10th century AD and received the name San Gimignano in honor of the Modena bishop Geminian (320-397), who, according to legend, stopped the hordes of Huns led by Attila at the city walls. The main feature of San Gimignano are fourteen medieval towers, built by the most noble families in the 11th-13th centuries. According to various sources, from 70 to 76 towers were built in total, but not all have survived to this day. Some "skyscrapers" reach a height of 50 meters.

Torre Grossa is the tallest of the 14 towers of the city of San Gimignano. Construction began on August 21, 1300, and was completed in 1311. Its height is 54 meters

The church was begun in 1226–1265 but it was enlarged in the 14th century resulting in the Gothic appearance it has now. The church's alternate name, Basilica Cateriniana, is attributed to St. Catherine of Siena, who lived nearby.

Fontebranda is one of the medieval fountains of Siena. The first mention of a fountain was in 1081, and then it was finally rebuilt in its present form in 1246 by the Guild of the Wool-makers. The crenellated roof spans a tank fed by water traveling for kilometers to reach the city. The structure was so large, due to multiple use: to get drinking water for men and, separately, for animals, and to wash clothes, especially the textiles made by Arte della Lana (Guild of Wool-makers).

Fontebranda is one of the medieval fountains of Siena. The first mention of a fountain was in 1081, and then it was finally rebuilt in its present form in 1246 by the Guild of the Wool-makers. The crenellated roof spans a tank fed by water traveling for kilometers to reach the city. The structure was so large, due to multiple use: to get drinking water for men and, separately, for animals, and to wash clothes, especially the textiles made by Arte della Lana (Guild of Wool-makers).

Fontebranda is one of the medieval fountains of Siena. The first mention of a fountain was in 1081, and then it was finally rebuilt in its present form in 1246 by the Guild of the Wool-makers. The crenellated roof spans a tank fed by water traveling for kilometers to reach the city. The structure was so large, due to multiple use: to get drinking water for men and, separately, for animals, and to wash clothes, especially the textiles made by Arte della Lana (Guild of Wool-makers).

Fontebranda is one of the medieval fountains of Siena. The first mention of a fountain was in 1081, and then it was finally rebuilt in its present form in 1246 by the Guild of the Wool-makers. The crenellated roof spans a tank fed by water traveling for kilometers to reach the city. The structure was so large, due to multiple use: to get drinking water for men and, separately, for animals, and to wash clothes, especially the textiles made by Arte della Lana (Guild of Wool-makers).

Vitosha is a mountain massif on the outskirts of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. In this photo, Sofia is not visible, as it is hidden by Vitosha

Vitosha is a mountain massif on the outskirts of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. In this photo, Sofia is not visible, as it is hidden by Vitosha