Archive for 'Churches & Religious Buildings'

Tuscany is an incredible region that is full of things to see and do. Tourists flock to its endless museums, architectural gems, historic sites, restaurants, gelaterias and activities and all of these things have their own charms.

However, among all of the different attractions in Tuscany, seven have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the historic centre of Florence (initiated in 1982); the Cathedral square of Pisa (1987); the historical centre of San Gimignano (1990); the historical centre of Siena (1995); the historical centre of Pienza (1996); the Val d'Orcia (2004), and the Medici Villas and Gardens (2013).

These heavy hitters present a list of some key and iconic spots to visit in the region. If you are planning a trip to Tuscany, visits to any, or all, of these attractions would enrich your vacation.

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.

Michelangelo fans who have found luxury villas in Florence would probably already be headed to the Basilica di San Lorenzo to visit the Medici Chapel, where his monumental tombs designed for Lorenzo il Magnifico and Giuliano dei Medici are housed.

However, there is another reason to stick around and try and befriend any groundsmen you might come across: hidden beneath the chapel is a secret room that has walls covered in drawings by Michelangelo.

The incredible sketches in the room are said to have been created in 1530, while Michelangelo was hiding from the Pope, a Medici. One of those who grew weary of the iron fist that the Medici were ruling the city with, Michelangelo stood up against the powerful family by working to help fortify the city walls against them and, as a result, was forced into hiding for three months!

The Abbey of Sant’Antimo, located 9km from Montalcino in Tuscany, is one of the most beautiful of all Romanesque churches in Italy. Local legend attributes its foundation to Charlemagne in the 8th century AD, a miracle that helped cure his army of a plague and a promise to build an abbey on the land where they were saved. Recorded history, however, has a different tale to tell and puts the foundation further back, to the Longobards and the Monastery of St. Savior. The site also is thought to have originally been the location of an ancient Roman villa. The existence of Sant'Antimo, itself, is recorded since at least the 9th century.

As we mentioned in the last post, temperatures can soar in Florence in the summer and, in a big city full of tourists, wandering around can become particularly uncomfortable. If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are planning a trip there this summer, you may have to deal with beating the heat so we have compiled some tips to help keep you cool.

3. Visit a Church

Popping into a church is a great way to cool down and get out of the sun for a bit but you may want to avoid one with long lines and big tourist crowds. There are plenty of smaller, less famous but beautiful churches to discover around the city and these will offer you cool interiors to get away from the heat, while enjoying the art and history. Just be sure to have a sweater to cover bear shoulders or wrap around your waist if you are wearing shorts.