Archive for 'Renaissance'

Montelupo Fiorentino is a pretty village, located just on the outskirts of Florence, that has been an important centre for handmade ceramics in Tuscany since the Middle Ages. Montelupo ceramics were traded and dispensed all across Europe and quickly became synonymous with quality and beautiful craftsmanship. Today, it is home to plenty of workshops still producing the pieces and a museum dedicated to the craft, the Museum of Ceramics in Montelupo. If you have found a vacation rental in Florence and are interested in Tuscany's long legacy of excellence in all of the arts but need a break from the busy historic centre and bustling museums of the city, this is a great place to soak up the region's history of artisanal prowess and even shop it, all while enjoying a slower pace and calmer lifestyle.

The Last Supper is da Vinci's other great masterpiece and one of the most famous paintings in the history of the modern world. However, due to experimental techniques used in its making, the centuries past, damage in WWII and poor restoration in the 19th century, it is a shadow of its former self and in severe danger of disappearing forever.

Twenty-two years of restoration were undertaken in the 20th century and finished in 1999 and while this helped prolong the life of the work, the damage is severe. Despite this, viewers still come and some even return and the fascinating, beautiful work continues to capture hearts. Even if you're in Milan for just the one day, it is worth seeing – just read on for tips on planning your visit.

If you have found a vacation rental in Milan, one of the must-see attractions that almost everyone will pencil into their visit is a trip to see The Last Supper for themselves. One of the most iconic works in the history of art, it has influenced generations of art and pop culture for centuries now and is something that most have seen at some point in their lives. However, like all things, it is a different experience entirely to see something with your own eyes and in person.

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.

If you have found a luxury villa in Florence, one key attraction that you have probably already added to your list is the Uffizi Gallery, or Galleria degli Uffizi, in Piazza della Signoria. One of the oldest and most famous art museums in Europe and the world, the Uffizi was originally begun under Vasari for Cosimo I de' Medici in 1560 as an office building.

More and more space was dedicated to the display of artworks over time until that became its primary function and in 1765, it was officially opened to the public access. It is now famous for its collection of works by writers, artists and scientists and, particularly, for its Renaissance art collection with works by the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Cimabue, Botticelli, Giotto, Van der Weyden, Durer, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi and Rembrandt.