Archive for 'Localities'

After a massive restoration project, the San Niccolò tower is open to the public once more. This historic tower was once part of the ancient walls of Florence. It dates back to 1324 and consisted of three arched floors. Soldiers used to stand guard in these arches day and night. It was designed by the famous architect, Arnolfo di Cambio.

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The San Niccolò tower was the only original defensive tower of the city that wasn’t lowered during the Siege of Florence in 1529. The other thirteen towers were lowered as their heights made them easy targets for artillery but the San Niccolò tower wasn’t as the Miniato hill in front of it served as its natural protection.

During the 11th and 12th centuries, Florence was flourishing as a Renaissance city, growing richer and more powerful every day.

Noble families living here were often feuding with each other and many of them built tall elaborate towers beside their palazzos to show off their wealth. But these towers also served as a form of defence where families could escape through a trapdoor at the bottom along a secret underground passage if the feuds grew too violent!

Stay in a lovely luxury villa in Florence province where you can easily travel into the city and explore all the treasures awaiting you here.

Here are some of Florence’s most interesting towers and where they’re located.

Florence was once a heavily walled city, completely enveloped by high strong defensive walls. Today, only a few remains can be seen in the south of the city in the Oltrarno area. Some doors and guard towers still exist here which could be an interesting tour for visiting tourists to make.

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Begin your towering trail with a walk along Via del Proconsolo, situated between a cathedral and Piazza San Firenze, on the Oltrarno side of Florence city. There’s a circle marked here on the road.

The tower in front of it was part of Florence’s first defensive walls dating as far back as 30BC! The circle marks where the foundations of this tower began which was uncovered and later resurfaced during road works here.

The Santa Maria della Scala hospital in the city of Siena has a wonderful story to share with tourists! It was one of the first hospitals in Europe and one of the oldest in the world still open, but now as a museum. Stay in a lovely vacation rental in Siena where you can easily travel into Siena city and discover all the cultural treasures it has on offer.

It lies along the Via Francigena, the famous pilgrim path leading all the way to Rome. It was most likely founded to provide food and shelter to accommodate pilgrims and other travellers along this path.

Go on a delightful day trip to Elba Island from Livorno some day and visit five incredibly beautiful churches here. Why not hire some bikes or hike to these historical gems so you can fully appreciate the sheer beauty of Elba, the largest island in the Tuscan archipelago.

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Begin your tour with the well preserved Chiesa di San Giovanni in Campo, overlooking the towns of Sant‘Ilario and San Piero in Campo.