Archive for 'Architectural Gems'

There are few cities with the quantity and quality of incredible landmarks as Rome. It is a truly staggering city to explore, with amazing sights around every corner that show the lingering presence of the grand history and heritage of Rome, living today alongside the hustle and bustle of contemporary life. Some of these landmarks are now cordoned off and require tickets and queuing up and milling along with other tourists on tours to view them but some have been absorbed into the landscape of the city in a more natural way. One such attraction is the famous Circus Maximus, which was once the site of grand chariot races in the time of the Ancient Romans and is now still very much in use by contemporary Romans as a place for performances, concerts, gatherings, and just sitting out, chatting, and enjoying the view that such noble ruins in the storied cityscape that surrounds afford. If you find yourself on
vacation in Rome, it is definitely a spot to pencil in as it is a key attraction, free to visit, and a little less hectic than many of Italy's other famous landmarks.

There are lots of beautiful libraries located around the world that have become tourist attractions for bibliophiles and architecture fans alike and it makes sense. These hallowed spaces are peaceful pockets, removed from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, and have stood the test of time as important sentinels of human knowledge. It also makes sense that the main public library in the city of Bologna in Emilia Romagna, a city that is home to one of the oldest universities in the world and which is famously a city of scholars, is a particularly beautiful and noteworthy example among the loveliest public libraries in the world; the Biblioteca Salaborsa, or Salaborsa Library.

As we all try and remain home as much as possible to keep ourselves and our loved ones and others safe and to try and help our struggling healthcare systems, many are in search of different activities that one can do from the comfort and safety of their own homes. We have previously written about some incredible museums in Italy that can be visited virtually online including the Uffizi, the Vatican Museums, the Capitoline Museums, Venerada Biblioteca Ambrosiana, and the Museo del Novecento but there are many more excellent examples to keep you entertained as you stay at home and look forward to a time when travel to Italy is possible once more. Here are just five more museums in Italy that you can visit virtually right now!

A certain reputation makes many overlook Naples as a holiday destination but if you have found a vacation rental in Campania and are spending time exploring the area then it is worth remembering that by writing off the city entirely, there is a rich wealth of history and culture that you will be missing out on. Naples is full of architectural gems, stunning churches, and incredible museums thanks to its long and diverse history and the influence of so many different countries and civilisations on the city throughout the centuries. One such example of a truly phenomenal cultural gem is the Cappella Sansevero, a church that boasts one of the most extraordinary sculptural collections in Italy and in the world. There are few other places in the globe where you could hope to stumble upon an outwardly innocuous church that is so full of masterpieces as this.

Located on Via Francesco de Sanctis 19, in the historic centre of Naples, the Cappella Sansevero (also known as the Cappella Sansevero de' Sangri or Pietatella and properly named the Cappella di Santa Maria della Pietà or Church of Santa Maria della Pietà) is a 16th century chapel that is home to incredible examples of Rococo sculpture by many of the leading artists of 18th century Italy.

We have already talked about the romantic city of Verona and how it makes for a perfect holiday destination built for two this week. As the location of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, it is home to countless love stories both fictional and real but it is also just exceptionally pretty, the kind of place made for wandering hand in hand. To come and fall in love with this city and more deeply with each other, just browse our vacation rentals in Veneto and plan a trip to Verona during your stay.

If you are in the area, you might also consider heading to the Villa Mosconi Bertani. This beautiful neoclassical country house is a stunning gem that reflects the strong tradition of such incredible villas and this style of architecture in the region and is also home to astounding gardens and an excellent winery. It is the perfect place to spend the day surrounded by splendour and getting to know the delicious wines of Veneto.

First built around 1735 for the Fattori family, the villa was constructed over a pre-existing 16th century wine cellar and a site that dates back to settlement during the time of the Ancient Romans. It was not completed under the Fattori family and was purchased in 1769 by the Mosconi family who finished the job and added an incredible eight hectare English-style Romantic garden. Under the Mosconi family the wine business was also expanded and became one of the largest cellars at the time in Northern Italy. After an initial glowing period in the 19th century as a centre for cultural and intellectual figures, the villa fell into neglect and disrepair in the 20th century. Thankfully, it was bought and saved by the Bertani family who run the winery to this day.