Archive for 'History'

Catherine of Siena was a Dominican tertiary, philosopher and theologian. Born in the 14th century, she began having visions of Christ at the age of five or six. At seven, she had decided to devote her life to God. She resisted marriage as a young woman until she was eventually allowed to join the Dominican Order. She was known for helping the sick and poor and launching reform campaigns among the faithful. Catherine even went so far as to become involved in political matters like swaying the loyalties of cities back towards the papal armies. Her writings spread her word further and gained more followers but she also became known for extreme devotion, eventually dying due to her refusal to eat.     Read More

Spend a delightful day of tourist exploration in the charming town of Pitigliano in the Maremma area of Southern Tuscany. Known as ‘Little Jerusalem’, this walled hilltop town is a beautiful sight to behold and is filled with historical and cultural heritage.

Stay in a beautiful vacation rental in Grosseto and enjoy all this scenic tourist area has to offer!

The Jewish roots of Pitigliano first grew in the early 16th century when many Jews moved out from the nearby region of Latium. The Roman Papal States here were anti- Semitic which drove the population out into more peaceful parts of Italy.

The skilfully carved and constructed buildings of Pitigliano are rooted in the extremely malleable volcanic rock of the hill upon which it is built. In fact, this soft tufu rock was carved out to create a clever water transport system beneath the town.     Read More

Tourists with an interest in sacred landmarks are sure to enjoy a visit to the Hermitage of San Vivaldo in Tuscany. The Holy Mount of San Vivaldo attracts many thousands of pilgrims and visitors each year and dates back to the 14th century when the saint himself chose this site to live a life of fasting and penance in offering to God.

Stay at a gorgeous villa with a swimming pool in Tuscany where you can relax and unwind after your cultural day trips of the region.

After the saint’s death a beautiful chapel and later a monastery and churches were added in the following century. The San Vivaldo Hermitage became known as ‘The Jerusalem of Tuscany’ where people could travel to without going on the expensive and sometimes dangerous pilgrimage to Jerusalem.     Read More

In the late 13th century in the town of Sinalunga, Tuscany…an outlaw called Ghino di Tacco was born! He began life as a robber along with his father and brother, gaining fame for their outlandish plans to outwit the Siennese Republic who were determined to catch them and bring them to justice.

Book a beautiful villa rental in Sinalunga where you can explore the birthplace of Ghino di Tacco and other wonderful attractions in the area.     Read More