Archive for 'Churches & Religious Buildings'

The Tempio della Beata Vergine della Ghiara, or Temple of the Blessed Virgin of Ghiara, also known as Basilica della Madonna della Ghiara, is a stunning church located in the city of Reggio Emilia, in northern Italy. One of the many lovely architectural gems in this lesser-known and lesser-celebrated Italian cities, it is one more reason to find a holiday rental in Emilia-Romagna and head on a day trip to this charming town.

In 1596, a mute boy is said to have recovered his voice before a 14th-century representation of the Virgin painted on a gravel wall (or “ghiara” in italian) by artist Lelio Orsi and when news of the miracle spread, it began to attract lots of pilgrims. As a result, it was decided to erect a basilica on the site, into which the votive fresco was moved.

If you need convincing, here are ten great reasons to find a villa rental in Siena and to get planning a trip to the city as soon as possible...

1. The Historic Centre

Incredibly rich and interesting historic centres are not uncommon all around Tuscany. However, the UNESCO awarded historic centre of Siena is one of the best preserved and most beautiful among them all. A Gothic masterpiece that was created in competition with Florence, the city largely reflects the period between the 12th and 15th centuries today. The city had substantial influence on art, architecture and town planning during the Middle Ages, both in Italy and elsewhere in Europe and is a true gem.

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Milan, the fashion capital of Italy, is an incredible holiday destination and is a rich and historic place, full of things to see and do. With endless restaurants, cafes, bars, stores, museums and other attractions to explore and enjoy, you will never be stuck for something to keep you occupied once you book a vacation rental in Milan.

It would be impossible to discuss all the wonderful pursuits in Milan but we have outlined a selection of some of our top picks of things to do in the city. Here are ten great things to do in Milan...

Manfredonia is a name that you may not have heard of before but maybe you should have! It is an incredibly beautiful seaside town located on the eastern coast of Italy, in the comune of Apulia, that has managed to fly under the radar but has lots to offer the discerning visitor. So, if you find a holiday rental in Apulia, come explore and discover its charms for yourself.

Faced by a long stretch of coast, with endless crescent moons of perfect sandy beaches to play on and aquamarine waters to splash in, the town is comprised of an astounding historic core, surrounding by a fascinating sprawl of newer buildings.

With lots to offer visitors by way of sights, restaurants, bars and stores but far from the beaten tourist trail, it is a great spot for the more intrepid traveller looking for something new.

Sicily has a long history of having a succession of rulers from a variety of places and cultures. The island was especially influenced by the Islamic conquest of 827AD to 1091AD and the Norman rule of 1071 to 1194. The ideas introduced under these rules and Byzantine influences, led to a multi-ethnic culture that saw Western and Islamic cultures combined in art and architecture among other areas of culture. Palermo, in particular, beautifully reflects this meshing of cultures in her architecture and if you rent a luxury villa in Sicily and you can readily see it for yourself as you explore the city. In fact, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for precisely this reason.

Among the many beautiful Arab-Norman buildings in the city, there is San Giovanni degli Eremiti, an incredible five-domed church on a little hillside in the middle of a rather rundown neighbourhood. Dating to the 6th century, it was converted to a mosque after the Islamic conquest of Sicily and then made back into a Benedictine church in 1136. It was modified over the years but its medieval appearance was reinstated during restorations in the 1880s.