Archive for 'Curiosities'

Pescia is a charming, if lesser-known, city in the province of Pistoia, in Tuscany. It is thought to have had Lombard origins and the name is a Lombard word that means “river”, which makes sense as the town is located on the banks of a river by the same name.

For centuries, it was famous as a producer of fine silk and flourished under the profitable trade. However, this came to an end in the nineteenth century when commercial conflict with France, during the rule of Napoleon, destroyed the local silk trade. Thereafter, the city was in need of an alternative economic source of livelihood and the production of flowers and olive oil took over.     Read More

Carrara is a Tuscan town that is famous worldwide for its marble and is the centre of the Apuan-Versilia marble trade.

Since Roman times, it has been where artists and architects from the world over have gone to source their marble, the likes of Michelangelo among them. Situated along the Ligurian Sea, in north-western Tuscany, it is a charming town that features the material it is so famous for in buildings throughout. A particular highlight is the Cathedral, or Duomo: with almost the entire exterior being covered in Carrara marble, it really is a perfect advertisement for the town's “white gold”.

Another, older church, once stood on the same site. The Ecclesia Sancti Andree de Carraria has records going back as early as 1035 but only a bas-relief remains of the original structure. Construction of the new building, also dedicated to St Andrew, began in the 11th century and was completed in the 14th century.     Read More

Most likely, anyone who has found a luxury villa in Florence and is planning a trip to the city has already made plans to visit the Palazzo Pitti and pencilled it into the itinerary. However, if we might, we would make a suggestion. Take a whole day for the excursion, take your time and make sure to set some aside for the Gallery of Modern Art.

The Palazzo Pitti is a vast and elaborate Renaissance palace in the city of Florence. It was originally the luxury home of a wealthy banker called Luca Pitti but was later bought by the Medici family in 1549 and became their primary residence.

Today it belongs to the state and is open to the public. The palace itself is an important and intriguing tourist attraction and the surrounding Boboli Gardens are also well worth a visit, however, that is not nearly where the cultural and historic riches of the building end: it is also home to the Palatine Gallery, Silver Museum, Gallery of Modern Art and several other gallery spaces and exhibitions.     Read More