Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

Lucca is a beautiful city in Tuscany. Historic, well-preserved and pretty, there is lots to see and do and a wealth of culture and art. Merely wandering the lovely streets and soaking up the unique atmosphere is enough of an activity to please many. However, if you are having a wander, there is one particular area that we suggest you check out.

The Medici were bankers, unofficial princes of Florence, then official rulers of the city and one of the greatest dynasties Italy has ever seen. Their stamp remains all over the country but it is most evident and visible in Florence, where they were incredible patrons of the arts. As they were of, ruled and designed the city, many were, of course, laid to rest there as well. One of the most important burial sites for the family are the Cappelle Medicee (or Medici Chapels), two structures at the Basilica of San Lorenzo.

Dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, and built as extensions to Brunelleschi's 15th-century church to celebrate and accommodate the Medici family, the chapels consist of the Sagrestia Nuova, (or New Sacristy) designed by Michelangelo, and the 17th century Cappella dei Principi.

The Sagrestia Nuova was commissioned by Cardinal Giulio de' Medici and Pope Leo X, his cousin, to be a mausoleum for members of the Medici family.

The Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence is a beautiful museum that is home to endless Renaissance masterpieces by some of the most famous artists of the period. These works include Michelangelo's incredibly iconic “David” and many other works that relate to the artist's career and process. However, while the gallery is an excellent place to visit to learn more about Michelangelo, in particular, there are lots of other important artists represented by the collection that you shouldn't miss out on; including Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Paolo Uccello, among others.

Just find a luxury villa in Florence and discover this astounding museum for yourself!

7. Madonna del Mare, Botticelli, between c.1475 and c.1480

While the exact attribution of this work is debated, it is still currently assumed to be an early work by Botticelli.

The Galleria dell'Accademia is one of Florence's most exceptional museums and is most famous as the home of Michelangelo's “David”. While the museum is home to works by other Renaissance Masters such as Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Paolo Uccello and while there is more to see beyond the “David”, the gallery is especially interesting to fans of Michelangelo as it has works by, after and in progress by the artist. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and discover the masterpieces within for yourself! This next work in our pick of must-sees in the gallery, also has a Michelangelo connection.

5. Palestrina Pietà, Unknown, c.1555

The Palestrina Pietà is a marble sculpture made around c. 1555, dating to a period that is known as the Italian High Renaissance. Formerly attributed to Michelangelo, it is now almost universally accepted that it must have been completed by someone else, such as Niccolò Menghini or Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

The beautiful Accademia Museum, or Galleria dell'Accademia, in Florence is one of the city's leading art institutions and is home to the incredibly famous and iconic “David” by Michelangelo. However, there is also much more to the museum and much more to see. If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are planning a trip to museum, here are some more highlights that you might want to keep an eye out for!

3. Atlas, Michelangelo, c.1525–30

While Michelangelo is not the only attraction to the museum, if you are interested in him and his work and working process, it is an excellent place to visit. The Accademia is home to his most famous sculpture, paintings after lost works of his and some of his unfinished sculptures as well. These latter objects are especially interesting as Michelangelo once described how every block of marble had a figure trapped inside that was just waiting to be freed and these showcase how it really does look like trapped sculptures bursting free from inside the stone.