Archive for 'Churches & Religious Buildings'

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (English: Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower) is the main church of Florence, Italy. The Duomo, as it is ordinarily called, was begun in 1296 in the Gothic style to the design of Arnolfo di Cambio and completed structurally in 1436 with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi.
The exterior of the basilica is faced with polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white and has an elaborate 19th century Gothic Revival façade by Emilio De Fabris.


The cathedral complex, located in Piazza del Duomo, includes the Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile. The three buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the historic centre of Florence and are a major attraction to tourists visiting the region of Tuscany. The basilica is one of Italy's largest churches, and until development of new structural materials in the modern era, the dome was the largest in the world. It remains the largest brick dome ever constructed.
The cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Florence, whose archbishop is currently Giuseppe Betori.

Valdarno has a very unique look, and plenty of attractions to please visitors with a variety of interests. It is found on the Arno River, which has its own gorge that contributes to the area's unique landscape.

You'll find that a lot of people who visit the area are very interested in spending time outdoors. Browse our vacation rentals in the valley, and start planning now your next trip to Italy.

The town of Buonconvento is one of the nicest places to visit in Tuscany! It dates back to the 10th century, and maintains a lot of its original charm to this day. Tourists wishing to stay in the area for a few days have a superb choice of local luxury villas where they can relax after some fascinating exploration.

The ancient walls that surround Buonconvento are a very impressive sight to behold! Some of the most noteworthy places to visit in the town include the Teatro dei Risorti, the Civic Tower, the Town Hall, and the Church of Saints Pietro and Paulo.

Another lovely tourist attraction worth visiting is the Museo di Arte Sacra della Val d'Arbia, which contains a glittering treasure of silver and gold artefacts and some stunning sacred paintings dating back to the 14th century. Admire the beautifully detailed architecture of this building and others in Buonconvento.

These historical monuments were created with such care and skill that those who gaze upon them can be nothing less than amazed at the craftsmanship. Be sure to bring your camera to take plenty of photos to take home and treasure!

Situated in close proximity to Florence and Arezzo, Loro Ciuffenna is a beautiful town nestled into the countryside at the foot of Mount Pratomagno. Visitors will benefit from the natural beauty that lies all around this town, including the banks of the river Arno and the unique rock formations made up of sand and clay. These are called "balze," and have provided inspiration to many artists throughout the years, including Leonardo da Vinci who would often come to this part of the Tuscan countryside to sketch and paint. The village itself seems forgotten by time, and you will feel the leisurely pace as you stroll through its winding pathways and gentle scenery. There are many small stone houses that are located in and around Loro Ciuffenna, with old bridges left over from the Middle Ages.

There are many reasons to visit the small town of Barberino Val d'Elsa, which is located in the vicinity of the larger city of Florence in Tuscany.

Not only is it a prime example of medieval architecture that retains its original walled fortifications, but it also is home to many important works of art, exquisite chapels, and other sights to visit.

You can learn more about the history of the famous Barberini family, who have their origins here in this exciting municipality. The town is named after the valley of the Elsa, which surrounds it in lush splendor.

Within town, you'll find many things to see in Barberino Val d'Elsa. This includes the Church of San Bartolomeo, for example, which has fragments of a painting by the famous Giotto, as well as a bronze bust crafted by the artist Pietro Tacca. By following the Via Francesco da Barberino, you will work your way through the well-manicured streets up to the Sienese Gate, or Porta Senese, which dates back to 1365. Those interested in learning more about the area's ancient past can visit the Antiquarium Museum, which holds Etruscan artifacts found in the different necropolises scattered throughout the area. If you have seen the famous Cupola in Florence, you may want to take a look at the Chapel of San Michele Arcangelo, which has a perfect reproduction.