Italy is known for her culture, her art, her good food and the good life but, like anywhere, it has its strange and bizarre sides as well. Tuscany is no exception, though it can often seem like an idyllic paradise. We have rounded up some of the strangest, silliest and most fascinating attractions that Tuscany has to offer so why not find a luxury villa in Tuscany and begin uncovering her more unique attractions?
1. Antro del Corchia Caves, Lucca
The Antro del Corchia is part of the cave system of Monte Corchia in the Apuan Alps Regional Park and is the largest cave system in Tuscany and one of the biggest in Europe. It is made up of over 60km of galleries which go down to a depth of 1200m into the earth. Exploration of the cave began in the 19th century but it was not opened to the public until 2001.
1. Antro del Corchia Caves, Lucca
The Antro del Corchia is part of the cave system of Monte Corchia in the Apuan Alps Regional Park and is the largest cave system in Tuscany and one of the biggest in Europe. It is made up of over 60km of galleries which go down to a depth of 1200m into the earth. Exploration of the cave began in the 19th century but it was not opened to the public until 2001.
Otherworldly, beautiful and strange, the caves can seem like you have somehow wandered into an alien planet and are well worth exploring. Better still, it is an activity that all (readily mobile) members of the family can enjoy and is perfect for a day out together!
2. Buontalenti's Grotto, The Boboli Gardens, Florence
While the a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boboli_Gardens" target="_blank">Boboli Gardens aren't exactly off the beaten track, they are certainly unique and rather bizarre. A park located behind the Pitti Palace, once the seat of the Medici family, it is made up of fountains, statuary from ancient Rome to the 18th century, semi-private and public spaces, nympheums, temples, planting and grottoes.
2. Buontalenti's Grotto, The Boboli Gardens, Florence
While the a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boboli_Gardens" target="_blank">Boboli Gardens aren't exactly off the beaten track, they are certainly unique and rather bizarre. A park located behind the Pitti Palace, once the seat of the Medici family, it is made up of fountains, statuary from ancient Rome to the 18th century, semi-private and public spaces, nympheums, temples, planting and grottoes.
Built between 1583 and 1593 for Francesco I de' Medici, it was conceived to complete gardens plans that had been devised by Vasari. The grotto by Buontalenti, in particular, is a true masterpiece of Florentine Mannerist style: bizarre, extravagant and somewhat surreal, it is one of the highlights of the garden and a highly memorable place quite unlike anywhere else in the world.
3. The Painting by an Angel in the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, Florence
The Basilica della Santissima Annunziata is an exceptional building that was designed by some of the most famous architects of the Italian Renaissance, such as Alberti and Brunelleschi, and is home to artworks by some of the most famous artists of the Italian Renaissance, such as Ghirlandaio and Bronzino.
3. The Painting by an Angel in the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, Florence
The Basilica della Santissima Annunziata is an exceptional building that was designed by some of the most famous architects of the Italian Renaissance, such as Alberti and Brunelleschi, and is home to artworks by some of the most famous artists of the Italian Renaissance, such as Ghirlandaio and Bronzino.
However, it is most famous for one particular work of art, an Annunciation created by one of the founding members of the order, Fra Bartolommeo. A leading artist in the 14th century, he found himself struggling to achieve the ethereal beauty of the face of the Virgin and fell asleep while working. When he awoke, he was amazed to discover that an angel had completed the work. This same painting is still on display and is a fascinating work with a captivating backstory.
Read on to the next post for the rest of our picks for some unique attractions in Tuscany, that you might not have heard of before and which are certainly bizarre, while you plan your next trip.
Read on to the next post for the rest of our picks for some unique attractions in Tuscany, that you might not have heard of before and which are certainly bizarre, while you plan your next trip.
Photo credit
Picture 1: Tobias Helfrich / CC BY-SA 2.5;
Picture 2: Sailko / CC BY 2.5;
Picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 4: Sailko / CC BY 2.5
Picture 1: Tobias Helfrich / CC BY-SA 2.5;
Picture 2: Sailko / CC BY 2.5;
Picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 4: Sailko / CC BY 2.5
