Tuscany
Florence
How to talk about the cities to visit in Tuscany without starting with the wonderful city of Florence? You will find everything you want to do there. This city whose many architectural monuments of the Renaissance, will leave you speechless, is mainly known for being rich in art from this same period, in history and in heritage. The Medici family marked the city of Florence during the Renaissance by building a residenceduring their reign, which is still the pride of the inhabitants today.
Florence welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, who come to admire the beauty of the city. With these many points of interest Florence will entertain you and offer you equally surprising visits.
For a visit off the beaten path, we advise you to visit the artisanal district of Florence. Rue Bardori, you will find a shop where they work on cooking. The leather work is mainly done on shoes for this shop, but you will be able to observe this particular know-how.
In the San Marco district you can find a craftsman who shapes marble and stones. In a marble slab, he draws a design, then carefully cuts stones into fine pieces in order to embed them in this slab. Thus forming drawings of multiple shapes and all different colors. Observing closely the details, textures and finesse of these works, you will only know the most surprised.
If you are interested in making jewelry, we advise you to visit a goldsmith’s shop in Oltrarno.
There are many jewelry shops, but you could stop and observe this very meticulous way of doing things
Pisa
The city of Pisa, known for its tower, is worth stopping for a few hours. In addition to this impressive white marble tower, you can admire other monuments attached to it, such as its Romanesque Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption cathedral and the baptistery. These UNESCO World Heritage monuments are located in Piazza dei Miracoli.
Pisa is a pretty city where you will find a lively city center, appreciated by artists. We find there in particular the work Tuttomondo on the facade of a house. In its center, admire the colorful palaces and aristocratic houses that line the south bank of the Arno River.
On the last Saturday of June, the city organizes the Gioco del Ponte. This 16th century costume party opposes two teams from different neighborhoods on a bridge (the Ponte di Mezzo). The goal is to demonstrate strength. A historical procession also takes place and resembles a military parade.
Siena
This city located about 1 hour from Florence, is a medieval city whose buildings are made from bricks. The city of Siena has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. It is known for its large central square, and the Torre del Mangia, a narrow 14th-century tower, which offers panoramic views from its white travertine summit.
Indeed, the city was entirely built around this square and has retained its Gothic appearance.
Twice a year the city organizes the Palio (July 2 and August 16), this event is similar to a medieval horse race. Its origin was political, but today this event welcomes many visitors and is broadcast live on the main channels. Decors, musicians, historical procession, you will find an atmosphere of the Middle Ages, during these famous days. And why not come and attend this event to feel this feeling of adrenaline?
Lucca
Very close to Pisa, the city of Lucca is very well preserved and it is in particular thanks to its ramparts which protect the enclosure of the city. The city shelters vestiges of the Roman time, one finds there vestiges of the walls, a forum and an amphitheater.
This city was once the borough of a rich agricultural region exporting high quality olive oil.
The city of Lucca organizes every year the most important Italian and European fair for comics and games. This event takes place over four days between the end of October and the beginning of November.
You will be able to find the biggest publishing houses there, many activities such as tournaments, concerts, meetings with world-renowned authors or even cosplayer shows.
San Gimignano
This city, built on a hill is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was an important relay point for pilgrims going to Rome or returning by the Via Francigena. Today we can contemplate 14 towers preserved by the city, but in the past there were 72 of them. The noble families had built 72 tower houses as a symbol of their wealth and power. These towers could be up to 50 meters high.
When we say Carnival, we necessarily think of Venice, and yet! The Carnival of San Gimignano is the most beautiful Carnival in Tuscany. These paper mache floats, folklore parades and costumes will leave you speechless. Young and old enjoy one of the oldest Carnivals in Tuscany.
Livorno
Located by the sea, the city of Livorno is the 3rd largest city in Tuscany. It is also a place of passage when you are on a cruise. However, the city with its fortifications is the ideal place if you are fond of fish and seafood.
Livorno has a district nicknamed the little Venice, because it has canals that cross this district as in this famous city. During your stay in Livorno discover the naval academy, which has been training students to become officers of the Italian navy since 1881. The city organizes many concerts from May to October, of all musical genres. You will definitely find your happiness there.
Portoferraio
As everywhere in Tuscany, the island of Portoferraio has kept its Renaissance charm. Surrounded by walls, this island has a well-kept reputation. The name of the tower guarding the island bears the name of the bomber who injured King Umberto I.
Above the historic center is Forte Stella, so called because of the characteristic star shape of its walls. Built in 1548 on a project by Camerini, the building houses one of the oldest lighthouses in Europe, built by Grand Duke Leopold of Lorraine in 1788.On this island of Porto ferraio, in addition to admiring a splendid view from the quay of Portoferraio, you can admire from above the Villa dei Mulini, the winter residence of the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
Arezzo
The city of Arezzo sits on top of a hill. There is an old Medici fortress and a Gothic-style cathedral, visible from the towns in the valleys that surround this hill. In this valley you can observe its famous rocks and gigantic clay “sculptures”, which Leonardo da Vinci liked to study. The Romanesque style architecture did not leave Leonardo da Vinci unmoved, since it seems that the city bridge is the one he reproduced on the famous Mona Lisa
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In addition, the city organizes every year and twice a year, the Saracen joust called “La Giostra del Saracino”. This famous and important tradition takes place on the penultimate Saturday of June and the first Sunday of September. Each district of the city is represented by two jousters/riders and has the right to two chariots. They then set off in a race with a wooden joust, the aim of which is to target the metal puppet, mounted on a spring.
We hope this article has been helpful to you.
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