Trifter

It is known as the region in Italy that gave rise to the Renaissance; the end of the middle ages and the beginning of cultural and artistic changes. Within its domain are the birth places of famous Italians such as, Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, and Leonardo De Vinci. Although most of the lands of Tuscany consist of quiet hills, vineyards, and small isolated villages, inside its landscape exists many prosperous cities. Many of these cities contain well preserved monuments, structures, and churches and as a result, many have been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Reach the end of the arid road which disappears in a curve between two green hills and discover ancient cities frozen in time.

The entire region of Tuscany is a land that seems to be cut off from the outside world and the city of Siena is no exception. Siena stands on a hill surrounded by what consist most of Tuscany, and to this very day it still contains the original buildings of its gothic era. The Narrow streets surrounded by old brick walls, the aged wooden doors with rusty knock rings, and the primitive lanterns hanging on the walls in this city clearly resemble the middle ages, and to walk along these pathways is to take a journey through time. Since most of the roads in Siena meet in the same place, setting foot on this medieval metropolis leads to the inevitability of encountering Piazza del Campo. Siena itself revolves around Piazza del Campo because it is in this square that Palazzo Pubblico, the town hall that mixes late medieval and early Renaissance architectural style resides, as well as stores and restaurants. Inside the Palazzo Pubblico lie frescoes, which are religious paintings done in the walls and ceilings by applying natural paint on wet lime plaster. Siena also contains other buildings with frescoes and Renaissance art such as, FonteGaia, the Cathedral of Siena, and the Palazzo Salimbeni. Renaissance art is thoroughly present everywhere in Siena and Siena itself is a city of the past that hasn’t changed for hundreds of years.

Siena fought an artistic war with her neighboring city for the title of the Renaissance jewel. However, the struggle ended and Florence rose as the shinning Renaissance city and capital of Tuscany. For five years it was the capital of Italy and during that time lapse, Florence was constantly modernized to fit the aspect of a true capital. A major contributor to the rise of the Renaissance, Florence contains a vast number of monuments, churches, and buildings from a time of culture and art rebirth. The cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, the close by Campanile, and the BattisterodiSanGiovanni, all contain truly remarkable gothic architecture. These structures and their architectural design are certainly the product of minds from a different time. Museums are also present in Florence, such as, the Uffizi Gallery with over 1700 paintings and 300 statues, Accademia dell’Arte del Disegno, and BargelloPalace which holds masterpieces by Michelangelo and many other Renaissance artists. But perhaps what distinguishes the city of Florence is PonteVecchio. Unlike other bridges in Florence, Ponte Vecchio doesn’t just help people cross the river, it is also a major trading place since along the way across the bridge are art dealers, goldsmiths, and souvenir stores. Not just the trading areas, but Florence’s wide array of Renaissance art and architecture that earns it the title of Tuscan capital.

While Siena and Florence began to compete with each other by constructing the best Renaissance art structures, a port city to the west was already undergoing Renaissance development. Perhaps it is best know for its leaning tower which is the Tower of Pisa situated in the Piazza dei Miracoli. This religious plaza consists of three more structures surrounded by beautiful green grass: The Duomo, the Baptistry, and the Camposanto. Besides other interesting places in Pisa like theMuseodell’OperadelDuomo, the Knights’ Square, and the Botanic Garden, there is a special place that provides a healing treatment for travelers. The San Giuliano and Uliveto Terme are hotels with thermal baths from Roman times that offer a wide arrange of care for the well-being. Pisa has also developed a harmony with the surrounding flora and fauna making it particularly attractive. Escape the noisy city and wonder inside the natural world of Pisa which is further empowered with the Natural Park of Migliarino, the San Rosssore estate, and the lake Massaciuccoli. In addition, near the city of Pisa lies the vast sea line Marina di Vecchiano, Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia, which provides an ideal refreshing and relaxing place under the warm Tuscan sun. Pisa’s harmony with its natural surroundings makes it an ideal city for travels who want to start their day with an exciting morning and end it with a tranquil sunset.

Catholic pilgrims used this metropolis as a relay point in their long journey of belief and faith. Their hopes were often reassured after seeing the thousand year old towers that rise from every corner of this city, and is this towers that distinguish San Gimignano from others cities of Tuscany. The primitive materials and architectural style of the surrounding walls and buildings of San Gimignano, gives the city its very unique medieval ambiance and appearance. Some of the main sights of San Gimignano are the Sant’Agostino and Collegiata churches which hold artworks from Italian Renaissance artists, the PinacotecaCivica gallery, and the TorreGrossa; the tallest tower in the city raising over 200 feet. Four beautiful squares forms the heart of the city and offers different stores and restaurants: Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza Duomo, Piazza Pecori, and Piazza della Cisterna know for its antique cistern. In addition, San Gimignano offers a theater inside the Communal Palace where Baroque music can be appreciated. This music is hosted by the Accademia of Leggier between late august and early October which makes San Gimignano a good time to visit.

Tuscany’s well conserved cities as well as its enchanting landscape offers a perfect link to Italian past; and the cities of Cartona and Lucca are no exception either. These cities mentioned above were declared a World Heritage not only because of their over a thousand years standing existence, but because the many artistic paintings, frescoes, and statues that were left for future generations by Italian ancestry. It is the image of Tuscany that the world relates to Italy, and Tuscany is by all means, the very essence of Italy.