Archive for 'Localities'

Spend a few days exploring the unique town of Orbetello, built on the Monte Argentario peninsula in the middle of a lagoon on the Tuscan coast!. Visitors wishing to come to this area in the heart of the Maremma district for a few days have a great selection of holiday villas in Orbetello to choose from where they can relax and admire a stunning view of the lagoon.
Orbetello is packed with fascinating architectural buildings which tourists are sure to enjoy walking around. The town is completely free from cars, so it’s very easy to get about. Founded by the Etruscans in the 8th century, the town passed many hands of ownership but during the 16th century, the Spaniards transformed it into a naval base and built many beautiful monuments and areas in the town.

Two such creations were the magnificent Palazzo di Spagna and Piazza di Due Mondi which had a huge bell tower built in its centre. A unique windmill was also built by them in the waters of the lagoon. Its charming cylindrical architecture can still be admired as tourists travel over the dam connecting Orbetello to Monte Argentario. Visitors can also admire the spectacular Etruscan built stone harbour as they travel across the bridge.

Head for the hills, to the walled village of Citivella in Val di Chiana situated on the western border of Tuscany for an enriching tourist experience! This ancient town, dating as far back as Etruscan times, was heavily guarded by a massive castle fortress dating from the late 6th century. During the Middle Ages it was the headquarters of the medieval military region of the Ambra Valley.

Tourists would be sure to enjoy a relaxing stay at one of many top rated farmhouse rentals in the Val di Chiana region surrounding Civitella listed on our Tuscany-villas website.

In the corner of Tuscany lies the charming medieval town of Anghiari where visitors can delight in the historical, cultural and picturesque riches that they’ll find in this treasured place. Anghiari was of extreme importance during the Middle Ages because of its strategic position in the hills. The famous Battle of Anghiari took place here in 1440 when Florentine troops, in alliance with the Pope, defeated the Milan army to win control of the region.

There are a wealth of places to visit if you’re here to explore the art and history of the town; it’s home to famous Renaissance artists, Michelangelo and Piero della Francesca. Tourists wishing to stay for a few days have a wonderful selection of villas with pool and rental accommodation with excellent reviews in Anghiari to choose from. Explore some of the local castles including the supposedly haunted Sorci Castle! Once lived in by mercenary captain, Baldaccio d’Anghiari in the 1200s, it’s rumoured that on summer evenings, one can hear the rattles of Baldaccio’s armour as his ghost floats around the castle!

Situated high up in the Tiber valley in Tuscany, bordering Le Marche and Umbria is the charming town of Sansepolcro. Tourists with an interest in history and architecture will love it here and have an abundance of villas with pool and holiday rentals in the Sansepolcro area available for them all year round. A day or two spent here would be a perfect amount of time to explore this walled medieval town and learn about the culture and customs of the locals.

The legend of the origins of this town tells the story of two pilgrims who returned from the holy lands with a piece of rock from the tomb where Jesus was buried after his crucifixion.

They built a chapel in honour of this relic and made a shrine to it inside. A monastery grew around this chapel, and eventually, Sansepolcro town grew around that. The Romanesque Duomo of San Goivanni Evangelista was later built in the town centre from some of the rock from the original chapel and inside; tourists can see beautiful painting inside by famous Renaissance artists of the area; Perugini and Piero della Francesca.

The ancient town of Castiglioncello, situated on the coast of Tuscany dates back as far as the end of the fourth century and is a popular seaside resort among tourists because of its breathtaking natural beauty. This is a wonderful place to visit for a few days, with plenty of villas with guest reviews and rental accommodation available, many with superb views of the sea.

Built by the ancient Etruscans, this town was originally designed as a Pisan outpost to guard the busy trade road, Via Aurelia.

Visitors can still see a wealth of archaeological remains from Etruscan times which lie all along the Tuscan coastline. A related article mentions Castiglioncello and other towns which have museums dedicated to these interesting discoveries. Visitors can see the magnificent castle called Castelglione Mondiglio that was built here during the Middle Ages by the Pisan Counts del Porto and also the lookout tower and coastline fortress that the Medici family built to protect the area from Saracen invasions.