Archive for 'Architectural Gems'

Previously in our listing of fantastic castles that are must-sees around Tuscany, we have mentioned Sarteano's giant castle, the foodie favourite Castello di Brolio in Chianti, Prato's iconic Emperor's Castle and the Rocca di Radicofani and its infamous inhabitants. Yet, there are still plenty of other beautiful and fascinating castles worth discussing all across the region.

Aghinolfi Castle is a beautiful Tuscan castle perched on a hilltop with stunning views all around the Lunigiana area and out across the Tyrrhenian coast. It was purchased by the nearby town of Montignoso just over a decade ago and was then restored and opened to the public.

The medieval town of Barga is a bit of a hidden gem, located in the Tuscan-Apennine hills in the heart of the Serchio river valley, in the province of Lucca. Scenic, historic and with a surprising amount of things to see, do and experience, the town really is a delightful surprise to visitors. It has one many awards for its touristic excellence and has even been named One of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. If you are interested in local traditions, festivals and a place where there is a slower pace of life but still plenty of things to see and do, just find a luxury villa in Lucca and spend time exploring this charming little town that is off the beaten tourist track.

Barga dates back to the Longobard era of the early Middle Ages and its street plan has changed very little since then. It is a large web of little streets and alleys around historic buildings that is characteristic of the area and incredibly pretty.

In our last article, we outlined the long and rich historical heritage of the city of Florence and how it has given the city a predisposition for both tourist attractions and tales of ghost sightings and spooky legends.

In fact, as we saw, some of these stories are right out in the open with key features from the tales being plainly visible on the streets such as the strange stone face on the side of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the permanently ajar window of the Palazzo Budini-Gattai.

There are, however, plenty of other buildings and spots all over the city that have creepy or ghostly pasts. Just read on to discover some more and then find a luxury villa in Florence so you can spend your next Hallowe'en exploring the murkier side of the city's history.

In our last article we discussed the proliferation of beautiful castles in Tuscany that are worth tracking down and visiting and, specifically, mentioned Sarteano's giant castle, with its imposing square keep, that dates to the 12th or 13th century and the Castello di Brolio in Chianti and its wine, food, ghosts and impressive grounds. Read on for two more examples of picturesque castles in Tuscany that you won't want to miss.

The Emperor's Castle in Prato is considered one of the most important examples of medieval architecture in the city. It is a square, thick-walled, imposing building that worth visiting in its own right but is also now home to local events, festivals and, even, movie screenings. Work on the castle began in 1237 and ended in 1248 by order of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II of Swabia and it was designed by Riccardo da Lentini. The most obvious feature of the castle is its striking exterior; square in plan, with one tower to each corner to all angles and one at the centre of every side of the wall curtain.

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.