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Florence, the principal Tuscan city, is the world's most celebrated storehouse of Renaissance art and architecture. The dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore dominates the city's roofscape and the great Piazza del Duomo at its feet, ringed with cafes, dominates life at street level. Florence also has some of Italy's best-loved palaces and churches. Cross the famous Ponte Vecchio and visit the Boboli Gardens; enjoy the Uffizi Gallery which houses a celebrated and famous art collection or see Michelangelo's famous statue of David at the Accademia di Belle Arti.
Siena is in the very heart of the valley of Chianti in Tuscany. It has a fine 12th century Gothic and Romanesque Cathedral built in stunning black and white marble, a splendid contrast with its distictive brown-hued buildings. Siena has one of the oldest universities in the world, founded over 750 years ago in 1240. The Piazzo del Campo is a quite unique medieval square located in the heart of the city, and is possibly the most complete Gothic piazza in Italy. Siena is probably most famous for its Palios, bare-backed horse-races which take place every year in July and August around the huge Campo in the centre of Siena which have been special events since the 14th century.
San Gimignano is a town of towers in the heart of Tuscany. In medieval times this was a thriving comercial centre, and many successful merchants wanted to build in San Gimignano. As space was at a premium within the city walls the town Council had decreed that buildings were to be no more than 17 yards wide and 24 deep. This resulted in a fascinating mix of towers of many styles. San Gimignano is a beautifully preserved medieval hill town, where street musicians fill the air with music and new panoramas open with each corner turned. The countryside is dotted with medieval villages and the famous Tuscan cypresses. This is, quite simply, one of Europe's most beautiful areas.
Arezzo as a city dates back to the 4th century BC and known today for its gold working. The oldest area of Arezzo has preserved its architectural character and is still surrounded by its 13th century walls. In the first weekend of every month there is a large antiques fair, and in late August to early September the Giostra del Saracino (Joust of the Saracens) is celebrated and jousting matches are held.
Cortona is one of the twelve towns that made up the Etruscan Federation. It is spectacularly located high on a hillside above the Valdichiana with spectacular views southward towards Lake Trasimeno, westward towards Monte Amiata and northward to Castiglione Fiorentino. Long a centre of art it is still noted for its architecture and museums. Most notable are the Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca and the Duomo (15th century). It is also known for its quaint shops, restaurants and picturesque streets. In mid-August the Sagra della bistecca (beef festival) is celebrated featuring the famous chianini steaks. Cortona is the setting for Frances Mayes' book 'Under The Tuscan Sun'.
Gubbio is a very well-preserved and picturesque medieval Umbrian town, built into a forbidding hillside. Many of the streets remain as they were in the 13th century, although the medieval atmosphere of the town cannot be put down to a single building as medieval architecture is everywhere. The Palazzo dei Consoli, for centuries the city hall and now a museum has pride of place, and other examples are the Palazzo Ducale and the Romanesque Cathedral. One of Gubbio's great medieval traditions is a crossbow tournament, called the Palio della Belestra. Held every May in the Piazza Grande, it pits the crossbowmen of Gubbio against their neighbours from Biturgio. Daring visitors to Gubbio may choose to run around the Fountain of the Mad three times, but doing so is reputed to drive you insane!
Perugia, the region's capital, has been continuously inhabited for more than 25 centuries and contains many Etruscan and Roman remains, with well-preserved buildings reflecting every era in the subsequent development of Italian architecture. Particularly notable are the ancient Etruscan city walls.
Assisi is a picturesque medieval hilltown to the east of Perugia. Famous as the home of St Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order of monks, it attracts many tourists. The life of St Francis is commemorated in 28 frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue in the Basilica di San Francesco, Italy's earliest Gothic church. Although damaged by the earthquake that shook Umbria in 1997, the basilica is still a magnificent sight. The Temple of Minerva, dating from the 1st century BC and now a Catholic church, is also a sight that should not be missed.
Spello nestles on the slopes of Monte Subasio and has a breathtaking view of the Umbrian plains from Perugia to Spoleto. It has a typically medieval atmosphere, with its winding streets lined by houses made of limestone quarried from the mountain itself, and there are many Roman remains including an Amphitheatre built in the first century AD. On the first Sunday of every month, Spello is the venue of the Artistic Crafts Market Show, and in June every year, on Corpus Domini Sunday, Spello celebrates the 'Miracolo artistico delle Inforate', when the streets are decked with a continuous one-kilometre carpet of coloured flowers to celebrate the feast of the Eucharistic.
Orvieto is considered by many to be one of the world’s most beautiful towns. It towers above the valley on the almost sheer cliffs of a volcanic hill, commanding an unparalleled view of the countryside. These sheer walls of the tufa outcropping were the ancient town's defence: it was never walled. Orvieto is also the home of one of Italy's most stunning cathedrals; even for the cathedral-jaded traveller, the first sight of the Orvieto Cathedral is electrifying. The Duomo's facade is a feast of detail. 33 architects, 152 sculptors, 90 mosaicists and 68 painters collaborated to create the most elaborate facade in Italy. Inside in the Capella Nouva is Signorelli's Renaissance masterpiece 'The Last Judgement'. One of Orvieto's more unusual attractions is the Pozzo S. Patrizio, a deep well shaft into the rock, with two corkscrew staircases built in 1527 for Pope Clement VII. It is possible to walk down to the bottom and back. The delightful winding streets contain interesting architecture, shops and restaurants. Ceramics are plentiful here, and of course the delicious white wine 'Orvieto' is found in abundance. The 'Umbria Jazz Winter' festival, which has earned a reputation throughout the world, is held here in December.
Montepulciano is built along a narrow limestone ridge overlooking the Valdichiana plain, and is chiefly known for its Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The town contains many art and historic attractions, with many medieval, renaissance and baroque buildings, palazzi and churches. A long, winding street called the Corso climbs up into the main square, which crowns the summit of the hill. In the Piazza Grande is the magnificent Palazzo Communale, (a smaller version of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence), and the Duomo. On a clear day, the views that can be seen from the tower of the Palazzo Cummunale are superb. Montepulciano's climate and environmental conditions have fostered an increase in the number and variety of aquatic birds, making it a bird watchers' area.
Spoleto is best known for its annual Festival of Two Worlds (Festival Dei Due Mondi), one of Europe's leading art and music festivals that features concerts, dance, stage plays and art and takes place in late June and early July. Spoleto is a town of almost unrivalled charm; home to many striking churches and also filled with Roman ruins. The sloping fan-shaped piazza in front of Spoleto's cathedral provides a perfect amphitheatre and during the festival becomes the site of many outdoor concerts. The 12th century cathedral itself crowns the piazza. The Rocca, Spoleto's medieval fortress commands Spoleto's highest point offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside and of the magnificent Ponte Delle Torri or Bridge of Towers. The very impressive gigantic aquaduct was built in the 14th century to carry water from the forested slopes of the hill above Spoleto. A 70-metre-long amphitheatre, built in the 1st century AD is still used for important cultural events, and the Triumphal Arch of Druso stands at the former entrance to the ancient Forum.
Todi is a beautiful medieval Umbrian hill town with a magnificent central piazza surrounded by Gothic towers, set in a dominating position overlooking the Tiber valley. Today it is famous for its historic monuments, beautiful views of the countryside and the atmosphere of an ancient medieval town in its cobbled paving streets, around the small wells and along the imposing town walls. Frequently described as Italy's most perfect medieval piazza, the Piazza Del Popolo is the perfect place to enjoy a view of Italian street life. It is flanked on three sides by 13th century palaces including the Palazzo Communale which houses the town's museum. Todi has a trio of exceptionally fine churches. The Duomo (cathedral) is well worth visiting for its beautiful crucifix dating back to the end of the XIII century. The impressive Romanesque-Gothic church of San Fortunato houses a very fine 15th century fresco by Masolino da Panicale. From here Todi's public garden leads down the hill to Santa Maria della Consolazione, among Italy's finest Renaissance churches, sitting majestically on the eastern slope of Todi's hill, its ornate exterior a contrast to the sober facades of the Duomo and San Fortunato. Todi and its surroundings are also famous for their authentic food and strong wines such as Grechetto di Todi. Todi is home to the Italian Antique Show in March, the Todiarte festival of music, theatre and ballet in July and the National Antique Show featuring Umbrian crafts in late September and early October.
Rome, the 'eternal city', exerts an enduring fascination over its countless visitors. Capital of Italy and the country's largest city, it is littered with the relics of over 2000 years of history, which gives it a unique atmosphere. The area known as Roma Antica (Ancient Rome) holds much that visitors should not miss. The monumental Colosseum and the Foro Romano (Roman Forum) – a crumbling legacy of pagan temples, broken marble and triumphal arches. The Pantheon is particulaly stunning. There are many Renaissance period buildings concentrated within the historic centre situated between Via del Corso and the River Tiber. This collection of narrow winding cobbled side streets opens out onto magnificent piazzas with Baroque churches, palaces and exquisite fountains. The romantic Piazza Navona with the Fountain of the Four Rivers, the Piazza di Spagna and the sweeping Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain immortalised in Fellini’s 1959 film 'La Dolce Vita', are all within walking distance of each other. The Vatican City, home to the Pope and spiritual centre of the Roman Catholic Church and the splendid Basilica of St Peter's really must not be missed.
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