Archive for 'Legends'

Italy has no shortage of architectural gems. In fact, for architecture lovers, as the birthplace of the Renaissance, it is a must-see destination. However, while many of these buildings and monuments may be stunning and majestic feats of architecture, there are also many that are oddities with strange quirks and unusual histories and origins. These stranger works may still be beautiful but there is no denying that they are unusual, which is only one more reason that they are fascinating and to love them! In the town of Bagheria, not far from Palermo, there is a palace that is both beautiful and very odd, indeed. If you have found a vacation rental in Palermo, be sure to drop by and visit it for yourself, as it has to be seen to be truly appreciated.

Villa Palagonia is an 18th century architectural gem and palace famous for its “monsters”, the grotesque sculptures of beasts and figures that decorate the garden and surrounding wall.     Read More

For many, a big factor in constructing their notions and expectations of Rome is the classic 1950s Hollywood romance, “Roman Holiday”. Starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck as a European princess and an American journalist who shows her around Rome before the two ultimately fall in love, it is the movie that launched Hepburn's career, won her an Oscar and made millions fall for the city.

If you, too are a fan of the movie and have always wanted to recreate your own Roman Holiday, just find a holiday rental in Rome and check out these locations that were featured in the film.

One of the first sights on your list should be the Spanish Steps, the beautiful 18th century Baroque steps between the Piazza di Spagna (at the base) and Piazza Trinità dei Monti. These 135 steps were built by French diplomat Étienne Gueffier’s, linking the Bourbon Spanish Embass, and the Trinità dei Monti church and was designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi.     Read More

All around Italy you will find some of the most stunning towns, castles, palaces, churches and other buildings that can be found in the entire world. You will also be able to find some rather bizarre feats of architecture that are both beautiful and odd. These have the satisfaction of both pleasing the visitor's eye and astounding them with their fascinating origin stories and eccentric design quirks. We have put together a list of some of these architectural gems so that you can go on an architectural tour of Italy that is off-beat, intriguing and far from the regular tourist crowds.

Gubbio, for example, is home to a number of lovely town squares, impressive palaces and pretty churches but the most fascinating of all these monuments is a 16th century fountain, affectionately as the “Fountain of the Madmen”. The actual name of this fountain is Fontana del Bargello, named for the palace in front of which is stands.     Read More