Archive for 'Churches & Religious Buildings'

While a villa in Sicily ensures a holiday in Italy full of fun and sun and relaxation, there is more to the stunning island than playing on the beach, sunning oneself on the sand, tasting local delicacies, and wandering around the more typical tourist attractions. There are also some rather more unusual and, even macabre, attractions that will delight and intrigue the more curious tourists in search of fascinating and strange sights that are well off the beaten path. One such impossibly interesting and somewhat morbid gem for those who have found a villa in Palermo, in particular, is the Catacombe dei Cappuccini.

Apulia's Alberobello is a town that is famous for her distinctive and evocative local architecture, characterised by the presence of trulli, a kind of traditional limestone building from the area that features cone-shaped or domed roofs that are made of corbelled slabs of stone. Designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, these unique buildings developed out of necessity in the 14th century when peasant workers were moved to the area by Count Acquaviva, a feudal lord, to help clear the surrounding woods and cultivate the land. Trulli became the housing structure of choice for inhabitants of Alberobello as they wanted it to continue not to be classified as an inhabited settlement and to continue to avoid the taxes and laws to which towns in the area were beholden at the time. Trulli could be quickly dismantled, if necessary, and as there were no permanent structures that could characterise Alberobello as a town, they could continue to live there without having to pay the local taxes or adhere to local laws as a result. In fact, it wasn't actually until over a couple of centuries later, in 1797, that Alberobello was first officially classified as a town! A remarkable origin tale and a rather ingenious way to avoid taxes, if you want to come and see the distinct and fascinating architecture of this gorgeous town for yourself, then be sure to go ahead and browse our vacation rentals in Alberobello.

Verona is already known internationally as a great city of romance in Italy as it was home to, perhaps, the most famous lovers of all time, Romeo and Juliet. In addition to this incredible claim to fame, the architecture of this charming town in Veneto is impossibly pretty and picturesque, adding to the thoroughly romantic ambiance of the place. Of all the lovely and romantic buildings in town, one of the best examples is the exceptionally charming Church of Sant'Eufemia, or Chiesa di Sant'Eufemia. If you have found a vacation rental in Verona and are spending time exploring the city then we highly recommend popping in for a visit to this wonderful architectural gem.

The Church of Sant'Eufemia is located right in the heart of the historic centre of Verona, over the site of a church that dates back to the 5th or 6th century. Various other buildings were placed over top throughout the centuries, with the foundation of the current church dating to the 13th century, when the ruling Della Scala family brought Augustinian monks to the city to build a monastery in what was then the Captains quarter of the city. Though they were brought to Verona in 1262, the necessary donations and funds had to first be gathered in order to pay for the construction of the new church and monastery. The bequest of Alberto della Scala, in particular, was integral in the funding and completion of the project.

Rome is, understandably, pretty special at Christmastime. As the centre of Catholicism with the presence of the Vatican, Christmas is pretty important and a major celebration in Rome. If you are a passionate fan of Christmas or, particularly, a religious Christian, it is a must to spend at least one Yuletide season in Rome. There is so much to do in the city on a daily basis but even more excitement and lots more interesting festive events around Christmas. From Christmas markets to masses to performances and concerts, there is plenty to keep you entertained. In particular, there are lots of great events for music-lovers as Rome is also home to lots of musical and choir groups, many that are centuries old, and which have honed their talents over generations.

One such group is the prestigious Schola Romana Ensemble, a highly professional group of singers and musicians specialised in Roman Baroque music, who will be performing this year in the stunning church of Santa Maria della Concezione. To experience the magic of their Christmas performance, and much more besides, just browse our vacation rentals in Rome and planning a trip to Rome this Christmas!

Sorrento is a beautiful gem of a town on the Amalfi Coast. Facing out onto the bay of Naples, it is perched atop a cliff, boasting sweeping views over the coast, at the base of which there is a busy marina. This stacking of the town gives it that distinct and picture-perfect look that lots of the towns in the area have: glittering water with bobbing boats topped by rows of colourful buildings. The charming old town is a warren of little streets and alleys that are lined with pretty historic buildings but amongst all of the pretty parts that make up this picturesque town, one of the most charming and unmissable sights and sites is the Chiesa di San Francesco and its lovely cloister. If you have found a vacation rental in Sorrento and you are exploring the town, be sure to duck in for a moment amidst your holiday wanderings and fun and enjoy a spot of tranquillity in the most fairytale-like of settings in Italy.

Located in the historic centre of the town, in Piazza Francesco Saverio Gargiulo, right next to the Villa Comunale Park, this 14th-century church with said iconic cloisters abutting it is famous for its Arabic portico and interlaced arches, which are interwoven with flowers, plants, and ornamental trees. The beautiful space is also often filled with birdsong, particularly in spring, as it is very popular amongst feathered locals.