Archive for 'Unesco World Heritage Sites'

The Basilica di Santa Croce, or Church of the Holy Cross, is one of the oldest and best-known of Lecce's Baroque buildings.

In a stunning city of architectural and cultural gems, it manages to still stand out as one of the most beautiful. Just find a vacation rental in Apulia and you can explore this gem of a destination for yourself.

Work on the basilica began in 1549, as part of the renewal of the area declared by emperor Charles V in response to the threat of an invasion by the Ottoman Turks. The Battle of Lepanto came and went and, all the while, local artisans, architects and artists transformed the city.

The basilica was the work of Gabriele Riccardi, Cesare Penna and Giuseppe Zimbalo and is a grand project that catalogues mythology, religion and history on the interior and exterior.

Torba Monastery was originally built in the 5th century as a Roman stronghold against barbarian invasions and was used for military purposes under various rules and guises until it came into the possession of a group of Benedictine nuns in the 8th century. The building was expanded and adapted into a religious complex and the interiors were decorated with elaborate murals and frescoes.

Later still, the monastery fell into disuse as a religious building and was adopted by local farmers with far more practical goals in mind. They decided to cover the paintings with plaster and, in some cases, merely ignored the works, letting them fall into disrepair.

Much was lost, as a result, but some of the works managed to survive, despite the neglect. One particular example that remains has become famous and has led to the creation of lots of legends and rumours.

Panarea is an island off the coast of Sicily that is both the smallest and most fashionable of the Aeolian islands. It is a place that attracts celebrities and jet-setters and offers a slice of paradise and a real taste of luxury.

With no cars on the island, crystal blue seas, white villages, soft sandy beaches and bright blooming bougainvillea, iconic hotels and bars, yachts filling the tiny harbour and chic visitors and inhabitants abounding, it is an incredibly picturesque island that paints an image of a very different lifestyle to the one that most of us are familiar with.

To become a fellow resident of the princess that lives on the island or have a holiday home there, is a long and laborious process that requires being rich, famous, powerful and, most importantly, charming. However, it is possible to visit on day trips as a guest once you have found a vacation rental in Sicily.

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 Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park was created in 1990, but steps towards its creation actually began all the way back in the 1960s. Its holdings are impressive with over 32,000 hectares being protected by the National Park.

The park takes in territories from fifteen different municipalities, in the Val Belluna, north of the centre of the Piave Valley.

It is the most visited national park in all of Italy and with good reason.