Archive for 'Central Italy'

While there is no shortage of stunning buildings and architectural gems all across Italy, there are some rather special buildings among their number. These buildings and architectural ventures may be great works of art but they have aspects to their design, usage, ornamentation or origin stories that are fascinating, unique and rather bizarre. Continuing from our last post, here are some more of the strangest architectural feats in Italy.

The Renaissance gave birth to an endless list of extraordinary architectural gems and outstanding garden designs, such as the Villa Demidoff. Located about seven miles north of Florence, the gardens are home to many different sculptures, fountains and various other delights. The highlight, however, has to be the Appennine Colossus. Measuring about 35 feet tall, the Colossus is a personification of the Apennine mountain ranges, and is depicted as a blend between mountain and man, its smooth skin emerging out of the surrounding mountainous setting.

All around Italy you will find some of the most stunning towns, castles, palaces, churches and other buildings that can be found in the entire world. You will also be able to find some rather bizarre feats of architecture that are both beautiful and odd. These have the satisfaction of both pleasing the visitor's eye and astounding them with their fascinating origin stories and eccentric design quirks. We have put together a list of some of these architectural gems so that you can go on an architectural tour of Italy that is off-beat, intriguing and far from the regular tourist crowds.

Gubbio, for example, is home to a number of lovely town squares, impressive palaces and pretty churches but the most fascinating of all these monuments is a 16th century fountain, affectionately as the “Fountain of the Madmen”. The actual name of this fountain is Fontana del Bargello, named for the palace in front of which is stands.

Maiella (or Majella) National Park is located across Chieti, L’Aquila and Abruzzo and is a mountainous nature reserve centered around the Maiella calcareous massif.

The vast park is composed of 9 nature reserves: Monte Rotondo Nature Reserve, Bosco di S. Antonio, Quarto Santa Chiara, Majella Orientale, Fara San Martino Palombaro, Feudo Ugni, Piana Grande della Majelletta, Valle dell’Orfento and Lama Bianca di Sant’Eufemia a Maiella. It is unique area of incredible wilderness that is populated by stunning views and an unbelievably rich wildlife and variation of vegetation.

Just find a holiday rental in Chieti, a villa in L'Aquila or a vacation rental in Abruzzo and explore this natural gem for yourself. You'll need to see it to believe your eyes!

Michelangelo is one of the most famous artists in the western world, as has been the case since early on his career and will probably always be true. Born in the fifteenth century, he was a Florentine sculptor, painter, poet, architect and engineer who was prodigiously talented and the true definition of a Renaissance man. His work is now scattered across the globe but Florence and Rome remain the best places to see it.

If you are an art lover or a Michelangelo fan, in particular, be sure to find a holiday rental in Rome or luxury villa in Florence or both and track down some of his greatest works. We have gathered a list of some of them to help you out.

There are certain works that are must-sees, that are worth the lines and waiting. The Sistine Chapel, perhaps Michelangelo's most famous project, is one of these. It was completed under the patronage of three different popes and two bouts of painting over a total of ten years.

The Uffizi Gallery, or Galleria degli Uffizi, in Piazza della Signoria is one of the oldest and most famous art museums in Europe and the world. Originally begun under Vasari for Cosimo I de' Medici in 1560, its name comes from the Italian word for “offices”, as that is what the building was intended to house when it was first constructed.
More and more space was dedicated to the display of artworks over time until that became its primary function and then, in the sixteenth century, access was granted to visitors who requested it. In 1765, it was officially opened to public access and, today, it is one of the world's best known and most beloved art galleries. It houses works by many famous artists from all over the world but one of the highlights has to be the work of Titian.