Archive for 'Castles & Palaces'

Castel del Monte is probably one of the most memorable castles and buildings that you will ever see. Its distinctive appearance, architectural brilliance and historical importance have meant that it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site (one of 50 in Italy). The building, located in Apulia, near Bari, was commissioned by Frederick II of Swabia in the 13th century and sits on a hilltop, surveying the beautiful surrounding landscape. Whether you're interested in history or not, this sight is well worth a visit for the views that it offers and its dominating octagonal structure which seems like something plucked right from the pages of Game of Thrones or some other grand fantasy novel. Just find a luxury villa in Apulia and head to the castle one day to explore, admire and learn.

The Monumental Complex of Priamar (“stone by the sea”), which is often known simply as Priamar Fortress, is a sixteenth-century fortress which is located in the port town of Savona. It stands on the rock that hosted the first Savona settlement and the medieval core of the city. This monumental building has undergone many changes over the years and has been put to use for a variety of purposes. Today, it is an important museum and cultural centre in the city. Art lovers, history buffs, military enthusiasts, kids and architecture fans alike will all take something away from a visit to this attraction. Just find a vacation rental in the Riviera Ligure area and enjoy this stunning structure and the beautiful town in which it is located.

The pretty seaside town of Civitavecchia, Lazio, is located along the coastline of the Tyrrhenian Sea and is located just an hour and a half from Rome. It has Etruscan origins and its name means “Ancient Town”. Due to this long and rich history, it is dotted with beautiful buildings and interesting monuments from many different periods throughout history. From the sixteenth century, there is perhaps the most striking and obvious of all the sights in the whole town, Forte Michelangelo. This impressive fortification towers over the rest of the port and is the work of three of the most famous Italian architects of the Renaissance. Find a holiday rental in Lazio and spend a day wandering the town of Civitavecchia and this feat of Italian architecture.

Castel dell' Ovo is a castle which stands on the tiny island of Megaride in Naples. The picturesque castle is steeped in myth and legend with stories about sirens and great Roman poets such as Virgil dotting its history. It also has far-reaching origins going back to this early period. With such a rich heritage, such a stunning location and such an immediately striking appearance, the Castel dell'Ovo is the perfect place to spend an afternoon in Naples, wandering its grounds, hearing its stories and admiring its architecture and the views its ramparts offer.

Italy is utterly inundated by beautiful, fairy-tale castles in the most picturesque of settings. Yet, in the Aosta Valley, or Valle D'Aosta, in the north-west of Italy, there is one that particularly stands out and must be among the most lovely. Saint-Pierre Castle in the town of Saint-Pierre rises above the rest of the town on a little rocky outcrop at the centre of the valley. It is the first thing that your eyes are drawn to upon entering the area and offers wonderful views all around. The castle itself looks like something pulled right from the pages of your favourite childhood tale or from the frames of a Disney movie. If you find a vacation rental in Valle D'Aosta, you can stop by the charming little town and see this dream-like building for yourself.