Archive for 'History'

We recently discussed the incredible Etruscan heritage of Tuscany and the Tomba Ildebranda, or Tomb of Ildebrando, which is located in the Necropolis of Sovana in what is now called the Città del Tufo Archaeological Park. This park is home to Tuscany's most significant Etruscan tombs and is full of interesting artefacts, sculptural details, architectural elements and more. However, one of the most interesting parts is the Tomba dei Demoni Alati, or the Tomb of the Winged Demons. Featuring creepy sculptures of demons, this intriguing archaeological gem is a must for all budding or hobby archaeologists who have found a vacation rental in Sovana , particularly at this time of year as everything spooky becomes the most pertinent.

While the main attraction of the Città del Tufo Archaeological Park might be the Tomba Ildebranda, another of the four elaborate burial sites in the park is the fascinating Tomb of the Winged Demons, which dates to the second half of the third century BC. As you enter, you will find a roofed enclosure with a carving of a sea demon with huge wings called a scilla that originally crowned the tomb as its centrepiece.     Read More

The Etruscans left an indelible mark on Tuscany that is still felt today through museums rich in artefacts and various monuments and buildings left scattered all throughout the landscape of the region. One such monument is the Tomba Ildebranda, or Tomb of Ildebrando, which is located in the Necropolis of Sovana in what is now called the Città del Tufo Archaeological Park. Dating back to the third to the second century BC, it is considered the most important monument of the Etruscan necropolis of Sovana and of the entire Etruria and is a must for all budding or hobby archaeologists who have found a vacation rental in Sovana or a holiday rental in the wider Grosseto Maremma province.

Discovered in 1924 by one of the famous Rosi brothers, the tomb carries the name of Sovana's most famous citizen of all time, Pope Gregory VII (whose name was Ildebrando before becoming pope), but actually has no other connection to Christianity. In fact, it is steeped in mystery and we do not even know who commissioned such a major monument and who was intended to be interred in this incredible tomb.     Read More

Volterra is a beautiful, medieval hilltop town in Tuscany that is incredibly picturesque. Elegant, cinematic, and seemingly untouched by time, it feels as though one has stepped into the past when walking around the pretty cobbled squares and historic buildings. There is a reason that it was chosen as the setting of the Italian headquarters of a very ancient and powerful vampire coven in the movie series based on Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight” saga. However, beneath this beautiful exterior, there is a lot of darkness and the town of Volterra is steeped in local myth and is home to quite a few macabre attractions. Perhaps, another reason as to why it was chosen as the fictitious home of a group of deadly vampires!

If you are intrigued by the more spooky or creepy things in life, a vacation rental in Volterra is a great idea as it offers all of the charm and typical features of a Tuscan town and Tuscan life, along with some fascinating morbid surprises. Head to the crossbow festival in May, the Jazz festival in August, the delicious truffle fair in October, the horrifying and informative Torture Museum, and the site of a witch trial. Or, you could go and explore the abandoned Ospedale Psichiatrico di Volterra, a crumbling old mental institution that looks upsettingly just like the setting of a very scary horror movie.     Read More

Carrara Marble is famous worldwide. It adorns counters in the fanciest kitchens around the world and was the material of choice of the great Renaissance genius, Michelangelo. To this day, the area in and around Carrara is steeped in the tradition of marble quarrying and of parcelling it off to make beautiful things. You can go on exhilarating 4x4 tours through the glittering marble quarries of the region to see where the journey of so many famous art objects and buildings began, you can explore the stunning and exquisitely carved marble gem that is Carrara’s Cathedral and how the material can be used to its fullest and most extraordinary extent, you can wander around the many marble beauties in the town of Carrara, and you can also seek out the exceptionally lovely sculptures made of Carrara marble in churches and galleries and museums all over Tuscany, Italy, and the world.     Read More