Archive for 'Castles & Palaces'

The Palazzo dei Priori in Perugia is one of the finest and most striking buildings in the city.

It is also home to the National Galley of Umbria and is, therefore, one of the must-see attractions if you have found a holiday rental in Perugia and are spending time in this charming city.

Between trying the excellent local chocolate, visiting the stunning churches and wandering the Old Town, be sure to stop by this architectural gem stuffed to the gills with the most important local artistic treasures of times gone by.

Built between the 13th and the 15th centuries, the Palazzo dei Priori is a distinctively austere building. A large rectangular block of pale stone, it has minimal decorative elements with large expanses of unembellished masonry.

Between 1339 and 1797 the then Republic of Genoa, a state of the Holy Roman Empire, was ruled by the Doges of Genoa. Officially a position one had to earn through a voting system, it was, in reality, an oligarchy. These men resided in the Doge's Palace, a 13th century palace in the city which is now open to the public and houses many different museums and cultural institutions. A striking, large elegant building, it is one of the architectural gems of this exceptionally beautiful city and has been subject to much alteration and addition over the years, reflecting many architectural styles in one structure. The building itself is worth dropping by for a gawk but a cultural mecca is held within, just waiting to be explored. Once you have found a holiday rental in Liguria, be sure to spend a day exploring this extraordinary city and building.

Castello di Petroia is a castle near the town of Gubbio in the region of Umbria. Perched on a hilltop, in a strategic and scenic position, it both offers outstanding views of the surrounding landscape and looks like something plucked right from the pages of a storybook. Now a hotel, this castle is open to the public for meals in the great hall and has wonderful grounds where you can take a stroll after a delicious meal. Located close by both Gubbio and Perugia, it is the perfect distance from either town to make a quick trip one evening for dinner or during an afternoon to grab a coffee and explore the grounds. Just find a vacation rental in Umbria and drop by this stunning, fairytale castle for yourself.

Palazzo del Te is a 16th century villa in Mantua though the title of “palace” does seem more accurate as it is unbelievably grand and combines aspects of palace and villa architecture and function. It has also been called the “greatest of all Mannerist villas”. This astounding building was designed by Giulio Romano, the most gifted of Raphael's students, for Federigo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, son of the famous Isabella d'Este and famous in his own right as one of the most cultured and learned off all Renaissance patrons of the arts. A villa suburbana, it was built in the countryside close to the city to take advantage of the fresh air and more rural pursuits without having to venture too far away. Why not find a holiday rental in Lombardy and pay a visit to Mantua and the villa for yourself?

Once you've found the perfect holiday rental in Naples and are exploring the city, you might spend some time visiting any one of her many historic and beautiful castles. During these visits you're likely to learn all about the history, architecture and art of the buildings. However, there are a few that have particularly juicy histories and stories to tell which seem less like a lesson from school and more like the plots of soap operas. One of the lesser known, but rather important, castles among their number is Castel Capuano.