Archive for 'Architectural Gems'

The Villa della Regina is a seventeenth century palace in Turin, Piedmont. It was originally designed by Ascanio Vitozzi in 1615 but after his death that year, the project was given over to Carlo and Amadeo di Castellamonte. The building was commissioned by Maurice of Savoy, then brother to the Savoy King.

As one of the Piedmontese Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, the Villa della Regina is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also a museum.

Only relatively recently was it opened to the public after restorations were completed in 2006.

The Villa Belgiojoso Bonaparte in Milan, Lombardy is also known as the Villa Reale and the Villa Comunale. It was originally built for Count Ludovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso in the 18th century and today is owned by the Comune of Milan and houses the Gallery of Modern Art. In addition to the architectural gem that is the palace and the wonderful gallery, the site also is home to a beautiful English garden. If you're thinking about a holiday in Milan and are looking for something to do that's a little off the beaten track and full of activities, this might just be the thing for you. Find a holiday rental in Milan and you've got a holiday halfway planned already!

Rome does not lack in famous and astounding monuments. If you visit, you will never be stuck for something to do. However, you might be interested in visiting something uniquely tied into Italian history that is just a little off the beaten track of most tourists, a little less obvious. That something is the Altare dell Patria (Altar of the Fatherland), also known as the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II).

The Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro, or the Metrolpolitan Cathedral of Saint Peter, is the cathedral of Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The present structure largely dates to the sixteenth century but the history of the building stretches back much further than that. The massive emphatically baroque interior is complimented by a stunning red exterior made from brick covered in a pink-toned plaster and accented with marble ornaments. If you have an interest in Baroque architecture or the history of Italy, this is sure to be fascinating to you. Why not find a holiday rental in Emilia-Romagna and spend a few days exploring Bologna's historic centre?

The Villa Capra, or “La Rotonda”, is a 16th century structure built according to the designs of the great Andrea Palladio in the Vicenza area. It is known today for its supreme symmetry, scenic location and integration of interior and exterior. Put simply, it is one of the most stunning feats of architecture in the world. If you're an architecture lover, find a luxury villa in Veneto and be sure to pay a visit!

The building was commissioned for Paolo Americo, a priest who retired from a Vatican position and wished to retire to his homeland of Vicenza. It was built on a hilltop in what would now be called a suburban area.