Archive for 'Museums & Galleries'

Tuscany is full of incredible museums but, unlike some places in the world, most have an entry fee. If you want to maximise on the amount of wonderful galleries and cultural institutions that you can visit during your next vacation in Tuscany, why not make sure you plan your holiday to include the first Sunday of the month?

The first Sunday of every month in Italy is “Domenica al Museo” and is when many State museums open their doors to the public for free and is, therefore, the ideal time to hit up those museums that you have been planning on visiting. An initiative sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, it is an excellent nugget of knowledge for managing a budget during your holidays without missing out. No doubt, crowds will be bigger but, if you're okay with that, you're in for a bargain!

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Verdiana Centi (@ve_evergreen_) on Oct 22, 2018 at 3:44am PDT

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MAGMA Museo (@magma_museo) on Jun 4, 2016 at 12:40am PDT

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”.