Archive for 'Localities'

  

Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Skyline of Sarteano
When one thinks of castles in Tuscany, the great urban palaces of the Medici tend to spring to mind. However, in reality, there are many more examples and a great deal of variety all across the region that are just waiting to be discovered.

Sarteano, for example, is a stunning Tuscan town that has long been a bit of a hidden gem and is very distinctive; a lush and green place with a medieval core and topped by its famous giant castle. The castle is the main highlight and dates to the twelfth or thirteenth century. It is surrounded by a double circle of walls enclosing an imposing square keep with round towers at the sides and is a bold and striking building in a perfectly strategic location. Bought by the city of Sarteano in 1998, it was opened to the public in 2006, after a long series of restoration works. Inside, you can explore the service rooms necessary for a castle to function, head to the ramparts for stunning views across the surrounding landscape, wander the courtyards and uncover secret passageways and outside you'll find the pretty park that the complex is located on. Just find a holiday rental in Sarteano and you can begin exploring this fascinating building.     Read More
Posted in: Architectural Gems, Castles & Palaces, Chianti, Food and Wine, Localities, Tourist Attractions, Wineries & Breweries

  

Monday, September 12, 2016
Skyline of Sarteano
Sarteano is a stunning Tuscan town that has long been a bit of a hidden gem. Only recently have its many attractions and boons have become public knowledge to a wider audience outside the region.

The town itself is immediately distinguishable; a lush and green place with a medieval core and topped by its famous giant castle.

The castle is definitely one of the main highlights of the town and is a must-see but there are plenty of other historic and cultural gems to be discovered and explored; from Etruscan tombs to Renaissance palaces and medieval churches to local festivals, Sarteano has a diverse offering of interesting local attractions.

Just find a holiday rental in Sarteano and you can begin delving into everything the town has to offer.     Read More
Posted in: Architectural Gems, Castles & Palaces, Churches & Religious Buildings, Localities, Museums & Galleries, Siena, Tourist Attractions

  

Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Carnival at Viareggio
Versilia is an area of Tuscany located right along the coast in the northwestern edge of the province of Lucca and is the Riviera of Tuscany. It is dotted by fashionable resorts and is known for its vibrant nightlife during the balmy summer nights.

Versilia is a wonderful area for holidaying whether you are travelling as a family with kids, a friend group, a couple or alone. You'll find all the culinary and cultural delights of Tuscany that one might expect, in addition to the relaxation or adventures that can both be found in such a the seaside location.

You can spend long relaxing days bathing by the sea and doing very little of anything at all, try out water sports with the family, party long into the night with your pals or stroll the beaches with a loved one at sunset.     Read More
Posted in: Architectural Gems, Beaches, Localities, Lucca, Parks & Gardens, Tourist Attractions, Tuscan Coast

  

Monday, September 5, 2016
Biblioteca Piccolomini, interior
For those visiting the stunning cathedral of Siena, there is another stop on the premises that you won't want to miss: the Piccolomini Library. Another artistic and architectural gem in this great Tuscan Renaissance city, it can be reached when you turn left about halfway along the length of the cathedral's aisle. The Piccolomini name holds a lot of weight and history in Siena. Enea Silvio Piccolomini was a 15th century noble who served as mediator in trying to reconcile Emperor Frederick III with the papal state, arranging the emperor's marriage to Eleonora of Aragon and organising his coronation in Rome and was rewarded by being made the Bishop of Trieste in 1447 and the Bishop of Siena in 1450.

He went on to become a cardinal in 1456 and was elected as Pope Pius II min 1458. A very powerful figure of the time, the library was named after him by the subsequent Pope Pius III, another Piccolomini, his nephew.     Read More
Posted in: Architectural Gems, Churches & Religious Buildings, History, Important People, Localities, Museums & Galleries, Siena, Tourist Attractions

  

Friday, September 2, 2016
The interior of the Duomo
Siena's Cathedral was built between 1215 and 1263 and was designed by Nicola Pisano and his son, Giovanni continued the design when more building was undertaken from 1285. The upper half of the facade was not added until 14th century, a time of great wealth and prosperity for Siena. At the time, plans were considered to transform the church into a giant masterpiece that could even rival the mammoth St. Peter's in Rome, with the existing building forming transept of this huge imagined cathedral. However, this ambitious project sadly never came to pass as work was halted by the arrival of the Black Death in the city in 1348, which decimated the population of the town. Walls of the new cathedral still remain but are only a shell of the intended finished product.

Despite this, the rich and beautiful Tuscan church is still a gem and an important tourist attraction for those who have found a villa with pool in Siena and are planning a visit to the city.     Read More
Posted in: Architectural Gems, Churches & Religious Buildings, History, Localities, Siena, Tourist Attractions