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Vinci (10,6Km)Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance man, Tuscan excellence

Prato (12,5Km)Prato, an ancient textile city

Florence (15,8Km)Florence: monuments and museums

Florence (15,8Km)Dante's Home

Florence (15,8Km)Easter Sunday in Florence

Florence (15,8Km)Nightlife in Florence

Florence (15,8Km)Florence – UNESCO World Heritage Site

Florence (15,8Km)Christmas Lights and Gifts on the Florence Street

Strada in Chianti (23,1Km)Beautiful and historic: Strada in Chianti

Strada in Chianti (23,1Km)Strada in Chianti: Historic Charm, World Class Wine and Fun

Certaldo (24,8Km)Certaldo Alto: an enchanting medieval village in the heart of Chianti

Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance man, Tuscan excellence

Even this genius, like Dante or Michelangelo (.. and we could list many others), was born in the heart of Tuscany. What does this Earth have that manages to give light to characters of this caliber? Leonardo da Vinci is perhaps the best known character in the entire Italian Renaissance. He was born in a farmhouse in the town of Anchiano which is located 3 km from Vinci in 1452 and died in Amboise in 1519.

His career as an artist began at the age of 17 in Andrea del Verrocchio's Workshop in Florence with drawing and painting. But during his life he shot the courts of Italy also arriving in Provence, becoming an “handyman” artist: painter, sculptor, engineer, musician, scientist from the natural point of view and also technical, architect, literate, inventor. His native home in Vinci is today a Museum, to it also belongs to the Leonardian Museum that makes us know the Master as an engineer and inventor, through its drawings, machinery and models of the latter.

He was a true thinker of the Renaissance, who wanted to understand the world, the nature of light, of movement, the functioning of the human body and was endowed with a fantasy and ability expressive out of the ordinary. Who does not know his drawing called 'Vitruvian Man'? Leonardo carried out the thought of the architect Vitruvius, according to which human proportions are equal to those of nature. By combining geometry, anatomy and optics, he laid the mathematical basis of an artistic representation. So coming to the conclusion that the measure of everything was man and that this model of proportion was the expression of divine harmony. In Vinci, arriving under the walls of the town we have in front of the three-dimensional model of this very famous design. As an environment worthy of this thought Vinci and its typically Tuscan landscape invite to aspire to its beauty and harmony.

The clay color of the dry walls of the terraces and buildings of the historic center, the hills full of vineyards and centuries-old olives that could perhaps even tell the secrets of young Leonardo make us understand where the sharp sense of aesthetics of this unique and fascinating Master had its roots.

scritto da wUmrLVWz wUmrLVWz - ultima modifica il 29/09/2021

Prato, an ancient textile city

Prato, Palazzo Pretorio

A bit the symbol of the city is the beautiful fountain that we find in the Piazza del Comune.

The chubby boy sitting on bunches of grapes can only be the god Bacchus when he was young. The decorative bronze fountain was created in the 18th century when Prato obtained the rights of the city. In the square, however, we see a copy, the original we find not far in the atrium of the Palazzo Comunale.

This building seems to be from the same time as the fountain but the appearance deceives. It was actually built in the Middle Ages, in the '200. In the beautiful Council Hall we can admire two frescoes of the '400 and a collection of portraits of the '600.

Prato has always been the city of textiles and the interesting Textile Museum is located on the ground floor of the Palazzo Comunale.

Also on the same square we also see the Palazzo Pretorio. The ancient construction is clearly divided into several parts. It was the old town hall and in the '400 since the merger of three palaces this building was composed.

You can still see the old houses clearly, colors and styles are very different within the same building. The red part is the oldest part, of the '300 while the part with the beautiful windows was from the '400. The unified palace was the seat of the municipal government and the court.

The textile merchant Francesco Datini also dealt with fabrics in the '400. He was definitely rich and had a building built that took his name. He was not paying attention to the expense and important artists frescoed walls and ceilings. The exterior was also decorated but those paintings are almost completely invisible today.

Datini hosted popes and kings in his luxurious home. At his death, he had all his documents, correspondence and accounting walled in a narrow compartment in the building.

This treasure of information was found only in the 1900s and is a very important source for scholars. The collection is now located in the Datini Archive, inside the building.

scritto da wUmrLVWz wUmrLVWz - ultima modifica il 16/09/2021

Florence: monuments and museums

Florence, the Uffizi

Florence, with its monuments and museums, has for certain well deserved the title of Humanity’s estate UNESCO.
The ideal stay to admire everything this city offers would be at least ten days, but thank to its compactness you can move from a spot to another one easily by foot and maybe find a corner, in one of its alleys, where you can sip a good coffee.

For sure one of the very first stages it’s the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, consecrated on 1436, the 25th of march soon after Filippo Brunelleschi completed the dome, dominant element of the florentine’s landscape. The architect is buried in the sellar of the church. Next to the Cathedral stands out the Giotto’s bell tower, that you can climb up through 414 steps. If you feel fit, you can enjoy the wonderful landscape from the Brunelleschi’s dome, climbing other 413 steps. Both places are with fee.

Behind the Cathedral you can find the San Lorenzo’s borgo, where there’s the general fruit and vegetable market, and you can visit the homonym basilica, which shows a façade looking almost strident and incomplete. It’s one of the oldest churches of the city. Here we can notice the Brunelleschi’s work, whom on commission of the Medici’s family presented a project for the whole basilica. With his intervention starts the tight connection between the church and the Medici, so it can be defined a familiar temple. Symbol of this connection is the location of Cosimo il Vecchio’s grave in a underground pillar, place for the mortal remains of the martyr to whom was dedicated the church according to the medieval traditions.

Very close to this Basilica you can visiy the famous Cappelle Medicee, where the contrast between the Cappella dei Principi, splendidly decorated with polychrome marbles, granite and other stones, and the Sagrestia Nuova, aerial and bright, will take your breathe away. The last one is a work of Michelangelo, and his sculptures adorning Medici’s graves are e

scritto da wUmrLVWz wUmrLVWz - ultima modifica il 23/09/2021

Christmas Lights and Gifts on the Florence Street

Florence, Christmas tree

Visiting Florence at Christmas can prove to be a spectacular event, which is truly magnificent.
The decorative streets in Florence especially during Christmas times coupled by brilliant window displays with greens and reds and fairly lights make it impossible for one to forget or ignore.
Like any other cities in Italy, Christmas here is traditional and old-style. The delicious traditional foods, which have passed from generation to generation, retain its traditional touch and uniqueness. If you are planning to spend your Christmas in Florence, then you have made the right choice.
The traditional belief of Christmas being specifically meant for family members and Easter dedicated to whomever you want is still held here. The belief comes from an Italian saying, which says that "Natale con i tuoi, pasqua con chi vuoi"? Therefore, it is a very rare occasion to find visitors invited to lunch table during Christmas time.
With the days getting shorter and shorter, Christmas lights decorated in the streets, weather getting chiller, Florence city is ready for this festive event. Normally Christmas holiday here kicks from December 8 (commonly known as the Immaculate Conception) until January 6, Epiphany. The atmosphere during this period is serene for both adults and kids. It is a time of the year when almost everyone is happy. The wonderful and inexpensive activities in Florence are compellingly amazing. Having had a stressful time throughout the year, Florence is the best place to be during the Christmas holiday. Florence’s churches, palaces, and museums are some of the most artistic treasures not only in Italy but also in the world.
Christmas markets in FlorenceChristmas markets add splendor and memorable feeling of Christmas. Mercato Tedesco di Natale is a famous market in Florence city. The market opens from December 3 until December 21 during which things such as Christmas candy specifically meant for kids is sold, German strudel and other traditional pottery is sold. If you love wine, this market is the best place to have some. The hot spice type of wine and a bratwurst is available in plenty. Florence Noel is another Christmas market found here. The house found in the market called House of Santa Claus is where children meet Santa and take photos.
TraditionsLike any other Italian cities, Florence is characterized with gift exchanges during the Christmas period. The Christmas lights, trees, concerts are all synonymous with this area. Some of the traditional foods found in Florence forms part of the culture of the city. Christmas concerts such as Orchestra della Toscana, Christmas in Jazz, Gospel choirs among others dominates the traditional celebration of this year. When we talk of any Italian city, it is hard not to mention Nativity Scenes. They astounding scenes make place a beauty to the eye. Nativity re-enactments are also synonymous in the area. The re-enactments involve historic centres, residents, and animals, among others.
On the Christmas Eve several festivals take place on Florence. The celebrations include fireworks, parades, Rowing Club competition, Historic Florentine Football, among others. The fireworks reflect the beautiful nature of the Arno River.
Typical foodsIf you have travelled to Florence, you have no worry about where to eat. The foods here are plenty and have a traditional touch of uniqueness. The Florentine cooking is made up of two main elements, which include olive oil and bread. The two elements make the basic components in the preparation of dishes in this area.
Spaghetti alla carrettiera is among the most famous pastas in this category. The second course also known as main course is made up of chicken dish , lombatina di vitello, scaloppine, involtini or bistecca fiorentina. Round up your meal with cantucci con vin santo. In Florence, wines are the most popular drink in the area. The red Chianti Classico is the most preferred type of wine in the area.
Why visit Florence during ChristmasA visit to Florence during Christmas can never be regrettable. The serene climates, traditional foods, the tradition, the Christmas markets, festivals among others are just but a few things one should not miss. The cozy atmosphere gives you the chance to feel relaxed and be part of the wonderful season.
TipsBooking earlier can be an important thing for a tourist. The too much demand for the foods and some other things need one to book ahead in order to avoid unnecessary inconveniences. Lastly ensure that you have a well-detailed plan of the places to visit, the tourist menus, and the general knowledge about the cost of goods sold in the area. Have a merry Christmas as you plan to spend your Christmas in Florence city.