Archive for 'Castles & Palaces'

Tuscany is a beauty and there is lots to see and do, all across the region. In fact, it is one of the most picturesque and pretty places in the world. There is an endless list of places you could visit, things you could see and things you could do. However, some are more picture-perfect than others and, to help you narrow down the list and make it possible to fit into one trip, here are more of this author's picks of the most photogenic sights in Tuscany that you'll want to visit and then capture in a photograph forever.

9. The most photogenic beach in Tuscany?

Follonica is a coastal city that is often seen as the “Miami” of Tuscany, with a modern, busy city centre and long stretches of beautiful beaches. Torre Mozza is one of these beaches, located just 3km from the center of Follonica and is named for an ancient tower built right on the cusp of the shore.

The beautiful medieval walled city of Lucca in Tuscany boasts lots to see and do and wonderful historic buildings are not in short supply. However, even among all of these incredible buildings and fascinating sights, the picturesque Palazzo Pfanner, with its perfectly landscaped gardens, stands out.

Designed for the wealthy merchant Moricani family, it was built as a demonstration of their wealth and power within the city in 1660.

Unfortunately for the Moriconi family, bankruptcy forced them to sell the building in 1680. The Controni family, silk merchants who had risen to the nobility, bought the palace and extended it and added to it in many different ways.

A monumental staircase was added, presumably on the plans of the Lucca architect Domenico Martinelli and the gardens were altered in the 17th century, likely under Filippo Juvarra.

Palazzo Davanzati is a Florentine palace that was actually built by the Davizzi family in the middle of the 14th century but carries the name of the Davanzati family, who bought the property in 1578 and lived there until 1838. Sadly, it was then broken up into apartments and allowed fall into ruin. Then, in 1904, it came into the possession of Elia Volpi, an antique dealer who restored and furnished the palace. He opened it to the public in 1910 as Museum of the Old Florentine House. The state purchased the palace in 1951 and, after some alterations, reopened it once more to the public in 1956.

Beautiful and featuring some interesting works of art, it is most important and fascinating as an insight into Renaissance life. It aims at reconstructing the setting of an old Florentine home, with furniture and household tools from the 14th to the 19th centuries: bedrooms display chests full of linen and cots, the bathroom showcases early indoor plumbing and the kitchen features a fireplace with bellows and two turnspits, a wooden bread-kneading machine, a metal butter churn and other tools from various periods.

The Casa Martelli Museum in Florence (or, simply, Casa or Palazzo Martelli) is a Florentine palace that was opened as a civic museum, displaying the remains of the original family's valuable art collection in situ and the original frescoed rooms, in 2006. It is an excellent insight into a noble Florentine home and filled with delightful little surprises around every corner.

Prior to being made into a museum, it always remained within the same family and is the only museum-house in Florence that has not been refurbished by later owners, making it all the more valuable and intriguing. For a glimpse into how the well-to-do of this great artistic city lived, just find a luxury villa in Florence and pay a visit to the Casa Martelli.

A family of bankers who came into wealth and power in tandem with the Medici, the Martelli family originally purchased a property on Via Zanetti in the 15th century and it expanded over the years, until it reached its current dimension in the mid-18th century, getting to the point where it took up almost the whole block.

The Palazzo Medici Riccardi, named for the family that built it and the family that expanded it, is a Florentine Renaissance palace that is the seat of the Metropolitan City of Florence and is also opened to the public (in part) as an exhibition space that offers a program of temporary exhibitions.

Originally, these were largely dedicated to the major protagonists of modern and contemporary art but has recently been more focused on creating greater understanding of the historic and artistic context of the palazzo.

Furthermore, there is a stunning frescoed chapel that is an attraction in its own right. As such, the palace is a fascinating sight for many reasons and, in particular, a wonderful peek into one of the most opulent homes that the city has ever seen. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and visit this wonderful architectural and cultural gem for yourself.