Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

If you enjoy learning about exciting stories passed down through history then you’d thoroughly enjoy visiting Crevole castle in the province of Siena to hear about the terrifying legend of the Howling bishop! There is a wealth of tuscan vacation rentals available in this picturesque area to stay in and tour around the castle where this story was born.

Donosdeo Malavolti was a well known bishop in the dioceses of Siena in the 14th century. His religious territory included Crevole castle that was often the scene of many battles between Florence and Siena. His interests leaned more towards fighting on the battlefields to defend his people rather than acting as their religious preacher. He was highly respected and many loyally followed his military plans. He ordered for the castle’s defences to be strengthened and used all his power in the church to build his forces against Florence. Anyone who disputed his tactics were threatened and silenced very quickly.

If you’re staying in a holiday villa in Tuscany, a worthwhile day trip would be to the old centre of Florence city, home to the famous tree monument in honour of a popular legend that was born here. An elm tree once grew in the square beside a huge cathedral in the city centre.

Today visitors can see a wrought iron testament of the magical tree that seems to have strengthened the faith of those who believe in the legend. Those wishing to spend a few days here exploring the majestic city have a huge array of stylish apartments available in and around Florence.

A few centuries ago there lived a man called Zanobi who was a member of the noble Girolami family. Born in 340AD, he went on to become the bishop of Florence and was a well liked and dedicated man of God.

If you decide to spend a fabulous holiday to Tuscany and would like to add some intriguing visitor attractions to your tour plans, a visit to Poppi Castle in Casentino valley would be an excellent day trip.

You could learn all about the haunting legend of a pretty yet terrible maiden called Matilda. Visitors wishing to stay in the Casentino valley for a few days have a wealth of excellent farmhouses available for them where they can easily commute to the infamous Poppi castle to learn of its colourful history!

She was the most beautiful woman in the land, desired by all men but she was married at a young age to the most powerful man in Poppi. He was part of the ‘Guidi’ who ruled Tuscany with an iron fist. He was an old man who spent much of his time away on military business. Matilda felt no love for her elderly husband as he was stern of heart and couldn’t satisfy her needs. She was envious of the common people whom she looked upon from her castle, who were free to marry who they wished and seemed to lead such carefree lives.

If you have an interest in the source of legends that have inspired many enchanting fairytales over the years then you’d love a visit to the famous island of Montecristo off the coast of Tuscany which is still known to this day as ‘Treasure Island’!

Although there’s no accommodation on the island itself if you wish to visit, there is a fantastic range of vacation rentals all along the Tuscan coast that offer magnificent views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The legend of Montecristo Island talks of two consecutive tales.

One legend speaks of a dragon that used to live on Montecristo and would explode into a fire breathing rage if anyone dared to come close to the island. Only a man that became known later as Saint Mamiliano was brave enough to face the beast; he sailed out to the island and killed it, dumping its burned body into the sea. And there on the island he made his home in a simple cave.

A fascinating legend to learn about on your holiday to Tuscany could be the one that originated in the hills of the Amiata in the south of the region. There is a fine selection of luxury villas with swimming pool available all across the south Tuscany area for visitors to spend a few days exploring the area and learning about the famous image of the Virgin Mary.

One version of the legend tells the story of a shepherd who herded his sheep in the Amiata hills and one day found a large fallen branch that seemed to be in the shape of a parent holding their child. He felt inspired to carve a statue of the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus as he watched over his sheep during the long days and nights.

But as time passed, he became discontented with how it looked and eventually threw it into the fire in annoyance. You can imagine his shock when he heard a female voice crying from the fire, ‘Please don’t burn me, please!’ He hurriedly quenched the fire and ran towards the nearest village to tell them what had happened in the belief that Mary had spoken to him and wanted the carving to be preserved.