Archive for 'History'

As mentioned in the last two posts, one of the main highlights of the excellent Galleria Borghese in Rome, is the collection of works by the incredibly talented Bernini. Gian Lorenzo Bernini was an Italian architect and artist born in Naples and who predominantly worked in Rome.

He started life as a child prodigy and learned to draw under his father, a sculptor and only really painted in his early years. As an artist, he is better known for his lifelike sculptural work and his architectural feats under papal patronage. Considered the greatest sculptor of his age, he may be a less familiar name to many today but his work will stick with you forever upon seeing it.

Just find a vacation rental in Rome and head to the Galleria Borghese, which has a rather exceptional collection of his works as Borghese was an important patron and great fan. Here are some highlights.

As mentioned in the previous post, the Galleria Borghese is an incredible art gallery located in a former pleasure villa in Rome belonging to a 16th century cardinal. It is home to works by the likes of Rubens, Titian and Raphael and particularly excellent collections of works by Bernini and Caravaggio. If you are an art lover who has found a vacation rental in Rome, it well and truly is a must-see attraction. Here are some more of our highlights among the collection to keep an eye out for when you visit!

3. Susanna and the Elders, Rubens, 1607

“Susanna and the Elders” by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens, dates to 1607 and is one of several versions of the tale that he painted. It depicts Susanna, a figure mentioned in a deuterocanonical chapter of the biblical Book of Daniel, a fair Hebrew wife who was falsely accused by a group of voyeurs. The tale goes that two lustful elders secretly observed Susanna while she bathed in her garden and then threatened to tell others that she was meeting a young man unless she agreed to have sex with them.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Rome, in fact, the list is truly endless. However, people often focus on the monumental ruins and architectural feats of the city and immense works of art such as the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, when there are actually plenty of other excellent cultural gems to be seen. These are housed in the city's museums and, if you are an art lover, in particular, the Galleria Borghese is the Roman museum for you.

An architectural gem in its own right, the Galleria Borghese, is an art gallery housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana. Built by the architect Flaminio Ponzio, it was a villa suburbana, a party villa at the edge of Rome, for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the nephew of Pope Paul V (reign 1605–1621). Borghese was a passionate patron of the arts and collector and was even involved in the designing of the villa. The Galleria Borghese today is a public art gallery that houses a substantial part of the Borghese collection of paintings, sculpture and antiquities and, in particular, is home to a rich collection of works by Caravaggio and Bernini. Other important artists represented by the collection include Titian, Raphael and Rubens, among others.

Volpaia is a pretty and picturesque fortified village in the Chianti Classico wine region of Tuscany. Also referred to as the Castello di Volpaia, although that is actually the registered name of the winery located there, much of the town is actually owned by said winery. In fact, it isn't really inaccurate to say that Volpaia is the wine village of Tuscany. If you are a great lover of wine, there really isn't any better town to visit in all of Italy and it has more to offer beyond the vineyard, as well. There are incredible views across the surrounding rolling hills and lush green fields of the Chianti landscape, a pretty and well-preserved historic centre, three excellent restaurants, exceptionally fresh air and various activities to enjoy.

So, if you've always wanted to learn about Tuscan wine and want to indulge in some tastings and excellent food, why not find a luxury villa in Chianti and spend a day in beautiful Volpaia.

The Tempietto is a small commemorative martyrium (or tomb) built by Donato Bramante in the courtyard of San Pietro in Montorio in Rome. Dating to the 16th century, it is considered a masterpiece of High Renaissance Italian architecture. Harmonious, restrained and elegant, it is one of the most beautiful buildings of the period and is a must-see for architecture lovers and nerds. Just find a holiday rental in Rome and make time for this lesser-known, but exceptional, architectural gem.