Archive for 'Legends'

In our last post, we discussed the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata (the Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation) in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, one of the most beautiful piazzas in all of Florence which is home to several architectural masterpieces. This church is an exceptional building which was designed by some of the most famous architects of the Italian Renaissance, such as Alberti and Brunelleschi, and is home to artworks by some of the most famous artists of the Italian Renaissance, such as Ghirlandaio and Bronzino. However, it is most famous for one particular work of art and the legend which surrounds it. Find a villa with internet in Florence and you could visit this extraordinary building for yourself.

Each country that celebrates Christmas has different and unique tastes, traditions and characters. In the case of Italy, there is a very particular tradition and character that you won't see in the context of many other Christmases; a witch. Something you probably associate with Hallowe'en instead, right? However, Befana (that's her name) is quite and important figure for children in Italy at Christmas. She is actually a good witch and kind to children and you can even meet her in local towns the way you might line up to see Santa Claus. There are places all over where you can visit her so just find a luxury villa in Tuscany this Christmas and pay a visit to this unique figure of Italian winter festivities!

Galgano Guidotti was born in 1148 to a minor noble. At the age of 32, he had spent most of his life as a self-centred, violent knight. That year he was visited by the Archangel Michael in a vision and told to renounce his ways.

Guidotti then became a hermit and took up residence in a nearby cave. While on his horse one day, he was mystically led to Montesiepi, a hill near his home town, Chiusdino. There he saw a vision of the Apostles, Christ and Mary and was, once again, told to turn his back on his former ways. At this point of the tale, there are a couple versions of what happened next.

Perched atop a rocky hill with breath-taking views across valleys and out to the coast, Malaspina Castle's picturesque appearance does not belie its troubled past. However, it is this combination of historical interest, morbid fascination and beauty that makes it such a curious place to visit. Find a luxury villa in Tuscany and you could spend a day exploring the castle for yourself.

The first records of this castle in Massa, Tuscany date back to 1084 and, in 1269, the original structure was levelled during a political dispute with the army from Lucca. It was later rebuilt with multiple periods of alteration, additions and redecoration during the fourteenth to the nineteenth centuries.

If you find yourself in the Pisa area and have an interest in architecture and history that goes beyond the Leaning Tower, why not find some time to visit the charming little Temple of Minerva Medica, or Tempio di Minerva Medica, (Goddess of Medicine and Wisdom) in Montefoscoli?

The structure was built according to the wishes of the internationally renowned Andrea Vaccà Berlinghieri, a physician at the University of Pisa, and dedicated to his father, Francesco, who also worked as a professor of surgery at the university. It was constructed on the picturesque site where Francesco had intended to build a villa.