Archive for 'Museums & Galleries'

The picturesque town of Sorano may have Etruscan roots but it is characterised by its medieval historic town centre and dominated by the great Orsini Fortress and Castle, a perfect example of Renaissance military architecture.

This structure has evolved and changed over the years into the complex which exists today. Its history is rich and complex and it makes a wonderful place to visit.

The complex of buildings now includes a hotel, museum, chapel, the theatre of Count Niccolo IV Orsini and a secondary school specialising in languages.

Florence is one of the great art centres of the world, known internationally for the many wonderful collections and museums that it houses and as birthplace of the Renaissance. Visitors nearly all try and make time for sites such as the Uffizi museum when visiting the city.

The serious art-lovers out there, however, might want to add something a little more off the beaten track to their itineraries; a visit to the Contini-Bonacossi Collection.

Maybe it's time to plan a trip, find yourself a Tuscan luxury villa and see this rare treat for yourself!

Put together by the politician, art collector and dealer, Count Alessandro Contini-Bonacossi (1878-1955), the collection is considered one of the most important art collections of the 20th century.

It was donated to the Italian state in 1969 but inheritance disputes meant that it ended up being sold off. It wasn't until 1998 that it was pieced back together and acquired by the Uffizi.

The collection is comprised of 50 works dating between the 14th and 18th centuries; 35 paintings, 12 sculptures and 11 coats of arms by Della Robbia alongside pieces of ancient furniture and majolicas.

Visit a museum with a difference in the scenic province of Pistoia. Tucked under Monte Libro Aperto, the quaint little town of Rivoreta is the home of the ‘Museum of the People of the Pistoia Apennines ’.

What makes this cultural attraction so unique is that the knowledge that can be shared with you here doesn’t just come from interesting still displays in the museum, it can be observed through townsfolk of Rivoreta! Witness intriguing demonstrations of how the people of this land forged a living for themselves throughout the centuries.

Stop off in the quaint town of Poggio a Caiano on your next vacation to Prato province in Tuscany. Stay in a quaint vacation rental in Carmignano which is only four kilometres away

It’s situated around nine kilometres south of Prato and is made up of ten frazioni including Calcinaia and Poggetto. One of the main sights to see in Poggio a Caiano is the lavish Medici villa.

In 1473 this ruined shell of a house was bought by Lorenzo de’ Medici. It was redesigned to have a quadrangular base around a huge central hall with windows all around overlooking the tranquil countryside.

Campiglia Marittima is a beautiful old town in Livorno province with several charming attractions for tourists to visit.

This pretty commune is still partly enveloped by the medieval town wall and would be well known for the Rocca San Silvestro nearby which dates back to the 8th century.

Stay in a luxury vacation rental in Campiglia Marittima with its own pool where you can relax and unwind after your interesting days of exploring Livorno province.