Archive for 'Museums & Galleries'

Now that you know where to go for bargains in Florence, it seems only fitting to discuss some of the greatest and most important designers to come from the city. Most are still headquartered there and Florence's history is intimately connected to clothing and design. It is, of course, well-known that Florence was a great art centre in the Renaissance but its wealth, which allowed for the production of all that art, came, in part, from the roaring wool and silk trade of the Middle Ages. The rise of the Medici from merchants to almost-kings led to their becoming taste-makers and influencers, the first fashionistas, if you will.

Giorgio Vasari was an Italian painter, architect, writer and historian probably most well-known today for his Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects which remains an important (if warily used) resource in art historical study of roughly contemporaneous artists' lives. Vasari was born in Arezzo, Tuscany and one of his homes still stands there today, organised and decorated by the man himself. For any art historian or enthusiast worth their salt, its a must-see, not only due to who lived there but also because of the artworks set within a Renaissance home, the frescoes and décor (though not all of the furniture). Find a luxury villa in Arezzo and drop by.

Ivan Bruschi was an internationally famous antique collector from Arezzo whose last wish was to establish a foundation to spread the love of art, antiques and culture. His wish was granted and the Bruschi Foundation has since become a hugely important patron of culture in Arezzo. One of the greatest feats of the foundation was the establishment of the House-Museum of Ivan Bruschi which houses Bruschi's personal collection, set within the 13th-century Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo located in the heart of Arezzo.

2015 is the Year of Archaeology in Tuscany and, due to this there are many events taking place which celebrate the history of the region. Each summer in Tuscany, there are countless food festivals, one in almost every town and something on somewhere in the region each weekend.

This traditional passion for food and the commemoration of the rich historical heritage of Tuscany are being combined this summer in a series of special events, tours, shows, exhibits and dinners.

Poggio a Caiano is a comune in the province of Prato. In the town there is a very famous villa and museum which was once home to the Medici family. Built for Lorenzo the Magnificent, according to plans by Giuliano da Sangallo, it is situated between Florence, Prato and Pistoia. Begun at the end of the fifteenth century, it was not completed until halfway through the sixteenth. Today it is a garden, park, stately home and art museum which is open to the public for visits and between wandering the grounds, buildings and collections, it is an excellent day out with lots to do and see! If you want to visit this extraordinary site and its wonderful setting for yourself, why not find a luxury villa in the Florence area and pencil a trip into your itinerary?