Archive for 'Museums & Galleries'

Poppi Castle is a fascinating building in Arezzo that is beautiful and rich in history and steeped in bloody legend. First mentioned in 1169, when it belonged to the Abbey of San Fidele de Strumi, it was likely built over an earlier structure. designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, the architect of Florence's Palazzo Vecchio, it came into the possession of the Conti Guidi in the 1190s and had some alterations over the years. The castle was involved in some important historical events throughout the centuries including two famous Tuscan battles – the Battle of Campaldino and the Battle of Anghiari – and it is this link to the Battle of Anghiari that allowed for a very interesting exhibition in the castle. Find a vacation rental in Poppi to experience it for yourself!

The excellent Palazzo BLU museum in Pisa is frequently home to some of the most incredible exhibitions in Italy and is always a must for art lovers who have found a vacation rental in Pisa. That is as true as ever at the moment with the “Da Magritte a Duchamp” (From Magritte to Duchamp) exhibition that is currently on show in the gallery.

Opened on the 11th of October and running into February of next year, it is the second collaboration with the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and MondoMostre after 2015's “Modigliani et ses amis” exhibition, which brought over 110,000 visitors to the Palazzo BLU.

For whatever reason, Tuscany is full of torture museums to choose from – I guess because of a long and rich history...? – but one of the best and one of the most appropriately located has to be the Museum of Torture in Volterra. The walled medieval town looks as though little has changed since those acts of torture were perpetrated and this adds to the creepy atmosphere. If you are interested in history and in the more morbid side of humanity, this fascinating museum is sure to intrigue. Just find a vacation rental in Volterra and come discover the twists and turns of this interesting Tuscan gem.

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If you are looking for things to do in and around Follonica, you might consider popping into MAGMA, the Museum of Cast Iron Arts of the Maremma, a rather unique and extraordinary attraction.

Once you have found a holiday rental in Follonica, just head to this former foundry, in which the history of this once integral local industry is unfolded in an interactive experience that captivates visitors. The museum was born from the desire to educate visitors “on the technological, artistic and human history of the steelworks of Follonica at the height of its production”.

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In the ancient Palazzo Bourbon del Monte in the town of Sansepolcro you will find the Aboca Museum, a magical little gem and the one and only museum of medicinal plants. To many, that may not seem an immediately interesting prospect but this beautiful place is stuffed with thousands of years worth of history, is in a stunning setting and has been expertly crafted to create something lovely.

Set up by the Aboca company, a market leader in the medicinal herbs sector, the museum was established to safeguard and promote the traditional use of medicinal herbs and extracts to promote good health. Most of the items in the museum hail from preexisting private collection of the Aboca company and the rest was purposefully purchased for the museum after it was opened.