Archive for 'Florence'

If you’re in Florence on vacation and love to visit attractions with an element of weirdness then be sure to visit La Specola, a fascinating zoology and natural history museum beside Pitti Palace.

This houses many fossils, stuffed animals and wax replicas of human anatomy; a lot of which was originally sponsored and collected by the Medici family.

Choose from a range of villa rentals in Florence and the surrounding area where you can relax and soak up the scenery after a few days of culture in the city.

Tour around 34 intriguing display rooms in La Specola. 24 of which are related to zoology and ten to wax displays of human anatomy.

If you’re planning a vacation to Florence in Tuscany this year then be sure to walk along one of its most famous attractions, the Vasari Corridor!

Book a villa in the Florence area where you can easily travel into the city and explore all the artistic and architectural treasures it has within its ancient walls.

Designed and built by the famous architect Giorgio Vasari within only five months in 1564, the Vasari Corridor was built for the convenience of transport by the Medici family.

The fortress style Romanesque town hall of Florence, Palazzo Vecchio is among one of the most spectacular buildings in the city! It’s located at Piazza della Signoria and houses many stunning artworks.

It’s had many names over the centuries such as Palazzo della Signoria and Palazzo Ducale but became known as Palazzo Vecchio meaning ‘Old Palace’ when the Medici family moved their primary residence to the Pitti Palace.

Book a stay in a beautiful holiday rental in Florence where you can easily travel into the city to visit the many attractions here.

The famous architect, Arnolfo di Cambio designed and oversaw its construction which commenced in 1299. He worked on other notable monuments in Florence including the Santa Croce church and the masterpiece that is the domed cathedral.

Forte Belvedere is the second largest fortress in Florence city! It began construction in 1590 under the guidance of architect Bernardo Buontalenti by order of the rich and powerful Medici family.

During the 16th century, Florence was flourishing and Forte Belvedere was a testament of that power and prosperity.

Choose from a range of vacation rentals in Florence, many close to the city where you can easily visit Forte Belvedere and the many other cultural attractions of the city

It’s located high up on a hill within the grounds of the Boboli gardens beside the Medici residence, the Pitti Palace. It overlooks the River Arno and was purposely built here to strengthen what was believed to have been one of the weak points of the walls that once entirely enveloped Florence.

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.

Stay in a comfortable holiday rental in Florence where you can easily come and see this magnificent tower for yourself!

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.