Categoria: cities of art

10 things to do and see in Strasbourg

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 20 Gennaio 2017

Strasbourg has always been a melting pot of European history. For almost 1000 years it was Germanic Empire’s territory, in 1681 Louis XIV occupied it and fortified it. At the end of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 it was given to Germany again, and was annexed to France in 1919. It returned again to Germanyduring the years of the Second World War, 1940-1945.

Since then, it is not only a French city, but also the symbol of a Europe in fight for centuries and which today has found its stability, at least military. it is therefore no coincidence that it has been chosen as the European capital and you will find three important institutions: the European Parliament, the Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe.

Today the double Franco-German identity that has torn apart for centuries Strasbourg, makes it a charming and cosmopolitan city, where the architecture, social organization, art and gastronomy coexist at the best of both nationalities. As its cuisine we could say that the city lives in the balance between German consistency and French sophistication!

In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see during a holiday or a weekend in Strasbourg.

If you are looking for a hotel in Strasbourg, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 110 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Cathédral Notre Dame in Strasbourg

The visit of Strasbourg can only start from the Cathedral, one of the highest expressions of the Gothic style in Europe, “miracle of grandeur and grace” as described by Victor Hugo.

The construction (in 1015) started on the ruins of a temple dedicated to Hercules and continued for about eight centuries until the building of the tower took place in 1878. From 142 meters of the spire you can enjoy an extraordinary view on the Grande-Ile and across Strasbourg. The façade of the portal is considered the largest Bible of the Middle Ages for its extraordinary narrativeand symbolic force. Above the door are carved episodes from the life of Jesus, episodes of sacred life, the King Solomon figures with 14 lions and the Virgin and Child. The interior is simple but very large with three protagonists: the stained glass, the astronomical clock of 1572 that every day at 12:30pm turn on a mechanism with Christ Blessing, the procession of the Apostles and a rooster that sings three times. In front of the clock there’s is the Column of Angels with 3 rows of statues.

Where: in the city center, on the Island.
How to get there: by feet
When: every day from 7 to 11.20 am and from 12.35 to 7 pm
Ticket: Church: free entrance; Astronomical Clock: Adults € 2, Reduced: 1,50 €. Roof terrace: adults € 5; children aged 5 to 18 and students € 2.50

Cathedral square in Strasbourg

The Cathedral Square is the crossroads of the historic centre of Strasbourg where there are some of the most important buildings of the city.

In addition to the Cathedral, from which it takes its name, immediately you will notice the shape of the MaisonKammerzell, the most beautiful house of Strasbourg built by the rich cheese merchant Bronn. The upper part, which housed the home and the warehouse of Bronn, is made entirely of wood and decorated with animals, warriors, grotesque figures. It is named after Kammerzell merchant who acquired it in 1806. Today it hosts a famous restaurant in Strasbourg. In the corner of the house there is the Pharmacy of the Deer in 1268, the oldest one in France. The square is the most touristy and crowded place in Strasbourg, as well as where the restaurants are the most expensive ones.

La Petite France in Strasbourg

Romantic people who want toimpress their lover can have a secret weapon in Strasbourg: the Petite-France, the postcard of the old town, for many centuries the neighbourhood where lived millers, tanners and fishermen.

The houses are those of 16^th century, with sloping roofs, balconies with geraniums. The barns and warehouses have been replaced by workshops and souvenir shops, but they are still charming. One of the most photographed scenes of Petite-France is the “PontsCouverts” (“covered bridges”) which kept the name even though it lost the covers in 1700. The towers served as bastions for the defence in case of attacks on the Strasbourg Republic. Nearby is another outstanding military work: the Vauban dam, a house-dam that takes the name of military engineer who designed it and had the idea of using water to flood the entire south of Strasbourg in case of enemy attack. On top of the dam there is a point from which to enjoy the view on the bridges and rooftops of Strasbourg.

Palais Rohan Museums in Strasbourg

Built to house the Prince Bishops, this beautiful building in the centre of Strasbourg, a few meters from the cathedral, now houses three museums: Fine Arts, Decorative Arts and the Archaeological Museum.

The visit starts from the underground where the archaeological museum tells the history of Alsace, from mammoth hunters to the Gallo-Roman civilization. The Museum of Decorative Arts tells the richness of the cardinals: porcelain, sculpture, paintings, pottery, jewellery, all left to the museum, thankfully! The most important museum of the Rohan Palace is the one of Fine Arts, the most important in Europe. A beautiful path from the birth of painting to 1870. Italyiswellrepresented by Giotto, Raffaello, Veronese, Filippino Lippi and Botticelli, Canaletto, Tiepolo, Cima da Conegliano. There are also many works by Spanish artists, Zurbaran, Murillo, Goya, El Greek and Dutch and Flemish (Rubens, Van Dyck). 1800 is represented by works by French painters such as Delacroix, Chasseriau, Corot, Courbet.

Where: Place du Chateau, close to the Cathedral
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
When: Weekday 12- 6 pm ; holiday 10 am – 6 pm. Never on Tuesday
Ticket: € 6

Muséed’ArtModerne et Contemporain in Strasbourg

A short walk from the Vauban dam there is theMuséed’ArtModerne et Contemporain(Museum of Modern and ContemporaryArt) housed in a beautifulglass building built in 1998.

The museum continues the artistic journey that the Museum of Fine Arts (see box 4) stops to 1870 offering a trip through Expressionism to nowadays. The permanent collection includes works by Picasso, Monet, Kandinsky, Duchamp, Ernst and an entire gallery dedicated to Gustave Doré. The museum offers a nice trip in the most representative trends of the last 140 years: Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, twentieth-century art, Fauvism, Expressionism, Surrealism and beyond. Besides the permanent collection, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions on current artistic trends. Do not forget, as many do, to go up on the terrace and have a coffee and enjoy the show on the Petit-France and the Covered Bridges.

Where: Place Hans Jean Arp, along the banks of the River III.
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
When: every day 10 am – 6 pm. Never on Monday
Ticket: € 7

European Institutions

The buildings in which are housed the European Parliament, the Council and the European Court of Human Rights are nice to photograph.

The presence of these institutions in Strasbourg gave it the title of European Capital. The Parliament, built along the bank of the III river, can be visited only in group. There are a lot of requests so it is wise to book several months in advance and can be done directly from the Parliament’s website. Not far away, always on the III river, there are the Palace of the Council of Europe (Palais de l’Europe) and the European Court of Human Rights. The Palace cannot be visited inside and only the hearings are open to the public (must present 1/2 hour before). Dates are available on the website. Same procedure for the Court requiring reservations for minimum 15 people (http://www.echr.coe.int/).

Where: Orangerie district, north-east of the city.
How to get there: European Parliament: Tram line E (direction RobertsauBocklin – stop ParlementEuropéen); Council of Europe: buses 72, 30 (direction Robertsau) and 6 (direction Pont Phario) stop Droits de l’Homme.
When: weekdays and holiday 8.30 am – 1 pm ; 3.30 – 7 pm
Ticket: free entrance

A boat trip in Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a city built entirely on the water of the Rhine and the III river, then a boat trip is the best way to discover it from an unusual perspective.

The boatsof Batorama company leave from the dock close to the Cathedral and offer two different routes: historical Strasbourg and Petit-France. The first tour, available every day of the year, lasts 70 minutes and there are from 4 to 22 routes a day depending on the month and costs € 9.60. The second tour through the picturesque district of Petite-France, lasts 45 minutes and there is only one route a day and it costs € 7.20. Boarding is located about 150 meters from the Notre Dame Cathedral and can be reached by going towards of the III river.

Musée de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame in Strasbourg

At the foot of the Cathedral in two neo-Gothic buildings, there is a small museum that collects the best of medieval and Renaissanceart of Strasbourg, of the Alsace and throughout the Upper Rhine.

The museum is worth a visit especially for 4 masterpieces: the pair of statues representing the afflicted and won Synagogue (Judaism) and the Church, serene and victorious; the Head of Christ from Wissembourg, considered the oldest figurative glass windows so far known; the painting of “Dead Lovers” a brutal depiction of a couple of people still standing but already attacked by worms, a reflection on the vanity and fragility of youth, of beauty and love. Finally, the other masterpiece is the painting with St. Catherine and Mary Magdalene by Conrad Witz, considered the most important German painter before Durer.

Where: close to the Cathedral
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
When: from 12 am to 6 pm. Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. Never on Monday
Ticket: Adults € 3, children 15-18 years old, college and over 60 years old € 2, children up to 15 years old and school groups € 1.00, free entrance for children up to 6 years and tourist guides

Things to eat in Strasbourg

Let’s start from wine and beer: here we are in Alsace, a region where the brewers came together in confederation already in 1200.

Even today, half of the beer that they drink is produced in the French surroundings. There are hundreds of brands and varieties, and in addition to the most famous commercial brands (Kronenbourg, Fischer, Adelscott) there are microbreweries each with their own specialties. As for the wines, the nearby “Alsace Wine Route” give us the Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Tokay Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Sylvaner. What to eat with these magical fluids? The Strasbourg cuisine is a summary of the history of the city. Certainly you will find the cabbage (sauerkraut) grated and made into barrels of salt solution with meats or fish. Also the “knack” hot dogs which take their name from the noise they make in your teeth and the fleischenschneke, meat with pasta, rolled and boiled. On the French side we have the pâté de foie gras, which seems to have been invented in Strasbourg, such as the different tarte flambé, made with onions and vigneronne (“mess of the winemaker”) with marinated meat and put in a puff pastry. To enjoy all this, sit in a “winstub” the typical Alsatian tavern with red tablecloths, the rustic atmosphere and friendly host. You will not regret it.

Where to sleep in Strasbourg

Among tourists, parliamentarians, officials of the European institution and the Franco-German managers, there’s a lot of people in Strasbourg every day of the year.

Hotels, apartments and B&B’s, in every category and with prices starting around 35 Euros per night for a double room. As in other French destinations, breakfast is almost always excluded from the price and costs EUR 08 – 12 per person. Prices rise in the old town, especially in the Petit-France area, but the local scenery is worth a few more euros.

cities of art St. Petersburg

10 things to do and see in St Petersburg

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 20 Gennaio 2017

City built on water in 1703 by Peter the Great as a “window on the West”, St. Petersburg is the second largest city of Russia, after its capital Moscow. Despite being a young city, the residence of the Russian tsars has a rich history, an extraordinary architectural heritage and one of the most important museums in the world.

Imperial City, stage of two revolutions, the main character of a long siege, marked by the communist rule, a muse for writers like Pushkin and Dostoevsky, St. Petersburg is one of the most charming cities in Europe. Cultural and refined with its collections of art and prestigious theatres; romantic, especially on summer nights when everything “is illuminated with a special light”; impressive with its magnificent palaces and cathedrals with the onion domes; interesting in its wide and varied range of attractions.

The oldest part of the city is represented by Peter and Paul Fortress on the island of Petrograd. The Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1990 – has instead , the monuments and the most famous buildings. Classical works such as the Cathedral of St. Isaac, architectural buildings like the historic Winter Palace which hosts the Hermitage Museum, statues, great roads likeNevsky Avenue, shopping and entertainment. For those who love the beauty, history and culture, St. Petersburg is a must-see.

In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see during a holiday or a weekend in St Petersburg.

If you are looking for a hotel in St Petersburg, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 550 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg

The Hermitage Museum is one of the most prestigious museum in the world for its size and works of art.

The vast collection includes more than three million works of art and artefacts of the world culture made between the Stone Age and the 20^th century, including paintings, sculptures, coins, archaeological findings, graphic art, of which only a part (about 60,000 pieces) exhibited in countless halls and other buildings in the city. The most extraordinary of these is surely the Winter Palace, the magnificent Baroque building in the green façade with white columns.

Residence of the tsars for over two hundred years, with the revolution of October the grandiose palace became the headquarters of the museum, now owned by the state. Through its eight areas (primitive cultures from the Paleolithic to the Slavic, Eastern Art, Art of the Middle East, Classical Antiquities, the Russian Culture and Art, Art of Western Europe), the Ermitage offers a complete overview on the arts of world. The history of the museum began in 1764 when Empress Catherine the Great purchased a wide collection of Western European paintings, making the foundations of the symbol of the “Northern Capital”. After centuries of collecting, the Hermitage has the largest and probably the most important collection of paintings in the world, including some masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Gogh, Matisse, Renoir, Cezanne, Picasso. Treasures of such great artistic and cultural value worth a visit.

Where: Palace Square
How to get there: Metro: Admiralteyskaya, NevskyProspekt, GostinyDvor.
When: Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun from 10.30 am to 6 pm; Wedn from 10.30 am to 9 pm. Closed: Monday, January 1^st and May 9^th.
Ticket: Adults 400 R; 150R children and students. Free entrance every first Thursday of the month.

NevskyProspekt in St. Petersburg

NevskyProspekt is the wide avenue that crosses the city of St. Petersburg from the west to the east linking the Admiralty to the Alexander Nevsky Monastery.

With its 4.5 km in length and a width ranging from 25 to 60 m., “Nevsky” is the main street of the city and the most famous one in Russia. As Gogol wrote “in Petersburg, there is nothing better than NevskyProspekt. It is everything. ” The center of the city in fact develops around the large street, with magnificent buildings and embellished with churches, theatres, historic shops (do not miss the luxurious grocer art nouveau Eliseevskij), picturesque bridges and charming squares. Prospekt is a lively place, animated day and night, always popular for its cafés, restaurants and cinemas. Walking on Prospektyou can admire small and big masterpieces, such as the Stroganov Palace, beautiful example of Russian Baroque, the National Library of Russia, the literary café, Ostrovsky Square, the Anichkov bridge, the sumptuous Beloselskij-Belozerskij palace and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan, majestic building inspired by St. Peter’s in Rome with miraculous image of Our Lady of Kazan venerated by the Russian people.

How to get there: Metro: NevskyProspekt Station; pl. VosstanjaMayakovskaya; pl. Alexandra Nevskogo.

Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg

Peter the Great designed the fortress on the island of the Neva to protect its access to the Baltic Sea by the Swedish power. The construction of the military complex in 1703, created St. Petersburg. Actually, the fortress was never used for defensive purposes, and until 1917 was used instead, as a prison for rebels againstthe regime.

Here were imprisoned Alksei, the only son of Peter I, accused of conspiracy and sentenced to death, Dostoevsky, the elder brother of Lenin, Aleksandr, Gorky, Trotsky and Bakunin. In the area of the fortress, beyond military buildings (barracks, prisons, armory) were also built a national mint (in operation since 1724), and a cathedral dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. Built by Domenico Trezzini in 1712, the oldest church in the city, has a very high bell tower (122 m.), whose golden spire is topped by an angel holding a cross. Inside, in Baroque style, are the monumental tombs of the Romanovs, from Peter the Great to Nicholas II. Today, the fortress has many museums about the history of St. Petersburg. In summer time, on the beach which is located outside the walls, you can see many people taking the suntan. In winter time, the more adventurous meet here to cross the river completely frozen or even to bathe in the icy waters of the Neva (Walrus clubs).

Where: Peter and Paul Fortress
How to get there: Metro: Gorkovskaya station
When: Cathedral: Mon – Fri 10 am – 7 pm; Sat 10am 5.15 pm ; Sun 11am – 7 pm. Fortress: daily from 6 am to 9 pm . Prison Trubetskoy stronghold : every day 10 M – 7 pm
Ticket: Cathedral +Fortress + Prison Trubetskoy stronghold: Adult R 300, R 160 students, retired people 120 R.

St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg

Majestic, magnificent, monumental. This is the St. Isaac Cathedral, built by the French architect Montferrand at the behest of Tsar Alexander and, further developed under Tsar Nicholas I, I between 1818 and 1858.

But the history of the cathedral dates back to 1710 when Peter the Great, born on the day dedicated to St. Isaac’s (May 30), built a wooden church in honour of the Byzantine monk. The cathedral is a giant work which measures 111.2 meters long and 97.6 wide. 112 monolithic columns of red granite hold up the four colonnades, 350 statues on the roof, 100 kg of gold on the dome which is the pride of the city. The interior is made sumptuous by gold, marble (there are 14 types), bronzes, malachite and lapis lazuli. Itis 4,000 square meters and can accommodate 14,000 people. The fresco under the central vault of the Virgin with Angels and Saints, made by Brjullovand Bruni, has a size of 816 square meters. The Church, still classified as a museum, is one of the city’s most visited attractions. Climbing the 262 steps of the colonnade you can admire a splendid view of St. Petersburg from 43 m. of height.

Where: St. Isaac’s square
How to get there: Metro Sadovaja
When: Thursday – Tuesday, 11 am – 6 pm
Ticket: Church: 320 RUR; colonnade: 160 RUR

Peterhof Complex in St. Petersburg

Peterhof is a magnificent complex of palaces, gardens, fountains, waterfalls and water features designed by Peter I who dreamed of an imperial residence outside St. Petersburg to be accessed by sea, like the Palace of Versailles.

The Grand Palace opened in 1723 and was expanded in 1750 by the architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli during the reign of Elizabeth. It was, in the summer time, the tzars centre of life. The building is majestic but simple and elegant. The interior however, is much more rich and sumptuous: gold decoration, frescoed ceilings, porcelain, silks, mirrors. Among the 27 rooms, one more beautiful than the other (The Golden Ballroom and turquoise Throne Room are spectacular), there is also the Tsar Room hosting some items that belonged to Peter the Great. Simplicity and harmony characterize the shelter Marly, charming Baroque palace surrounded by the waters of a pond, built by Peter as a personal sanctuary. The main attraction of Peterhof is, however, its lush park with 150 fountains and 4 cascades fed by a source located 22 km away thanks to a complex hydraulic system designed by the Russian Tuvolkov (1720). The most famous waterfall is the Great Waterfall, just in front of the Palace, that among gilded statues (well 255) and water jets (138 to be precise) create the maritime channel along 400 m. that connects the palace to the sea. The main element of the spectacular composition is the “Fountain of Samson fighting with the lion” from whose mouth gets up a jet of water of 21 m., allegory of the Russian victory (Samson) on Swedes (lion) in Poltava in 1709. InPeterhof, the official opening of the fountains (end of May) is a real party with music, fireworks and performances. We suggest you, therefore, to visit the splendid summer residence to better enjoy this spectacular place.

Where: About 29 km from St. Petersburg.
How to get there: It can be reached by bus from the metro LeninskyProsekt or hydrofoil from St. Petersburg near the Hermitage.
When:
Great Palace: Tue – Sun 10:30 am to 5 pm. Closed Tuesdays of each month; Monplaisir: Thu – Tue, from June to September, 10: 30 am to 5 pm. Marly: Tue – Sun from May to September, from 10:30 am to 5 pm. Hermitage: Tue – Sun, from May to September, 10:30 am to 6 pm. Fountains: from late May to October from 11 am to 5 pm
Ticket: admission with fee

The Winter Palace in St. Petersburg

With its impressive green and white façade decorated with 400 Ionic columns, the Winter Palace dominates the monumental Palace Square in the center of which stands the column of Alexander I that celebrates the victory against Napoleon.

The Winter Palace is the most famous building in St. Petersburg, themain chracter of its history for more than three centuries. The palace was in fact, the winter residence of the Tsars from Peter the Great on. Modified several times, the actual building (1754-62) is the work of Bartolomeo Rastrellias requested by the Empress Elizabeth. The luxurious interior, redesigned with the restruction of 1837, under the reign of Catherine the Great, is a masterpiece of Baroque art. In 1917,after the abdication of Nicholas II and the February Revolution, the imperial residence became the seat of the Russian Temporary Government. In October of the same year, the Bolsheviks conquered the palace, and declared it part of the Hermitage Museum, now owned by the state. As part of the Museum, many of the 1,057 halls and rooms of the palace are open to the public.

Where: just outside the city centre
How to get there: Metro: Admiralteyskaya, NevskyProspekt, GostinyDvor
When: Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun from 10.30 am to 6 pm; Wednesday 10.30 am to 9 pm. Closed: Monday, January 1 and May 9. The ticket office closes one hour earlier.

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg

With its multiple onion shape domes, the bell tower, and the decorations with colourful glazes, ceramic tiles and stained glass, the Cathedral of the Savior or the Resurrection of Christ (official name) is one of the most important symbols of St. Petersburg.

Built between 1883 and 1907 on the model of the Moscow Cathedral of St. Basil, the church stands on the site where was fatally wounded Tsar Alexander II, which is why the church was renamed the church the Savior on spilled blood. Created at the behest of his son Alexander III as a memorial for the murdered father, the Temple was opened to the people by the Bolsheviks, with serious damage to the inside and began to deteriorate. In the 30s, following the closure of religious buildings ordered by Stalin, it was used as a warehouse and storage. Abandoned for years, finally in 1970 began the long and troubled renovation work (27 years!) That returned the building to its former splendour. In addition to the spectacular appearance, the Savior’s Church is famous for its beautiful and unique collection of mosaics that completely cover the interior walls. The rich decoration was created by Russian artists (Vasnetsov, Nesterov, Ryabushkin) between the end of ‘800 and ‘900. Not to be missed.

Where: Griboyedov Canal Embankment
How to get there: Metro Nevskijprospect
When: May- September – From Thursday to Tuesday, 10 am – 8 pm
October – April- 11 am – 7 pm
Ticket: adult 320 R

The White Nights of St. Petersburg

“… Maybe in summer in Petersburg are there the nights? This is not the night … we should invent a new name – for example, the half-light … “.

The writer Gončaròvused these words to describe the White Nights, the charming atmospheric phenomenon that on summer nights colour the sky of St. Petersburg with a special light. For its latitude, from late May to mid-July, the sun remains high for a long period and even when it set, its twilight light continues until the dawn, “giving the sun just a half hour at night” (Pushkin, Introduction to the bronze Horseman). So it is as if the day would never end. The city does not sleep, there are many people around, locals remain open, a full calendar of events, festivals and night festivities, celebrating the extraordinary event that by now, is one of the symbols of St. Petersburg and which attracts tourists from all over of the world. At that time of year in fact, the city is more beautiful and charming than ever. Every building and monument has a romantic aspect in the pink frame of the night sky. Impossible not to fall in love.

When: from the end of May to half July

Things to eat in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg offers traditional and modern Russian cuisine.
Usually a meal begins with appetizers (zakuski): smoked or salted fish (herring, salmon, sturgeon), cold meat, mushrooms (stewed, boiled, marinated), salads, including the “viniegriet” with beets, carrots, potatoes , peas, pickled cucumbers and seasoned with oil, the delicious caviar (black and red) often served in “blini”, wheat flour pancakes, almost always with sour cream. Don’t miss the soups (piervyj).

The most popular and famous is the “borscht” prepared in a meat or chicken broth, which includes beets, carrots, potatoes, cabbage and other vegetables, usually served with fresh cream. The “solyanka”, made with different types of meat, cucumbers, olives, pepper and spices. The main course (vtoroj) generally consists of boiled or grilled meat, meatballs, baked fish or grilled with a side of “kaša”, or boiled wheat. Among the most famous dishes: the “pelmeni”, fresh pasta with minced meat filling, served with different sauces (sour cream, tomato sauce, mushroom sauce) and “golubtsi”, spiced minced meat balls and rice, wrapped in leaves of cabbage and stewed in tomato sauce with prunes, vegetables and spices. Among the desserts, the “pirožki” stuffed with apricot jam or berries and the “syrniki”, cottage cheese scones, sugar, eggs and flour served with jam or honey. As for beverages, in addition to vodka, the most famous Russian distilled, are worth trying the “kvas”, a fermented non-alcoholic drink, made of wheat and barley, and “medovucha” a little alcoholic drink and plenty of sugar , made with honey.

Where to sleep in St. Petersburg

The best way to enjoy St. Petersburg, especially if you stay for a few days, is choosing a hotel in the old town.

There are hundreds, in every category and with differentprices. If you accept a room with shared bathroom you can find hotels that cost less than 20 euro per night while high category hotels may not exceed, 80 EUR per night. With a little more you can book a luxury hotel in the tourist areas and close to the most famous monuments. If you move away from the centre , the prices still go down but you have to consider to move by metro and some crime problems, especially at night.

cities of art Porto

10 things to do and see in Porto

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 20 Gennaio 2017

Since Ryanair added Porto as one of its destinations, Porto has become a better city. Who has visited Porto before this reorganization, could prefer the old city even if it was in decline. The city in fact, far from the touristic places, is characterized by dirty walls and streets.

Synthesis of this double soul is the Ribeira district which overlooks the Douro River. A shining city in its most photographed corners, but with back alleys in bad conditions. The whole city, excluding the suburbs, is well worth a visit. Porto is cozy, cheap and quite safe. You can visit it in two days and it is the ideal destination for a weekend far from the popular European routes.

In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see during a holiday or a weekend in Porto.

If you are looking for a hotel in Porto, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 260 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The District of Ribeira in Porto

We suggest you to start the visit of Porto from Ribeira, the distric along the Douro river. It is on the list of World Heritage sites.

A maze of narrow cobbled uphillstreets, low houses with colorful façades, tree-lined squares, balconies with flowers, clothes hanged out to dry, old people sat outside their homes, bars, restaurants and craft shops help to create a unique urban landscape. In the lower part of the Ribeira there is the iron bridge Dom Luis I (see point 3) linked to the twin town of Vila Nova de Gaia, world famous for producing the best Porto wine of Portugal. Around the bridge and along the banks of the Douro you can see the barcosrabelos, vessels carrying the barrels that for centuries have used to transport the port wine from the production cellars to the warehouses. Today are mainly used to take tourists for a ride along the river and enjoy Porto from a different perspective.

Sao Francisco Church in Porto

From the outside it could look like an usual church, inside is the most beautiful religious buildings in Portugal and one of the most richly decorated churches of Europe.

A visit to the Sao Francisco church is the opportunity to admire the technique of TalhaDourada, inlay work on gilded wood that is typical of many Baroque churches built in Portugal during the 18^th century.Among the “all gold churches”, Sao Francisco is the most beautiful and opulent one. Sure it can be funny if you think that to build this church,dedicated to “Poor Man of Assisi”, have been used more than 100 kg of gold! Once inside your eyes will get used slowly to the golden reflexes illuminated by the light through the windows and you begin to see floral motifs, plants and animals

When: November to February 9 am – 5 pm, March-October 9 am – 7 pm , July-September 9 am – 8 pm

Ticket: € 3.5 including a visit to the catacombs and the Museum of the Treasury.

Dom Luis I Bridge in Porto

The students of Gustave Eiffel, the author of the famous tower in Paris and Statue of Liberty, brought his teachings in many parts of the world.

It was one of these, TeophileSeyrig, to design the Dom Luis I, the iron bridge of Porto connecting the Ribeira district to its twin town of Vila Nova de Gaia. A few years earlier he collaborated withEiffel to the construction of Ponte Dona Maria. He worked alone in the design of the Dom Luis I and judging by the result, Seyrig had learned quickly and well Heiffel’s teachings: the scenic effect of the bridge, especially at dusk or at night is spectacular. It was built in 1881 and opened in 1886. Today, on the top floor run the train of the new subway, while in the lower floor buses, trams and pedestrians. A walk along the 170 meters of the bridge is one of the things to do absolutely in Porto.

The Cathedral of Porto

The Sé, the Cathedral of Porto, is an austere building with a large central rose window and two twin towers with domes on each side.

Built starting in 1200 on the ruins of an existing building, it is one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in Portugal.

The interior is simple, with three naves and baroque chapels. There’s a splendid Gothic cloister with walls decorated with blue and white tiles (azulejos) that tell of Marylife and Ovid’s Metamorphoses. From Terreiro da Sé, the space in front of the Cathedral, you can admire a beautiful view of the Ribeira and the Douro River, including the town of Vila Nova de Gaia. The column in Manueline style in the center of the square is an ancient stocks used for a long time as a place of exhibition and torture of the condemned. From the square starts the staircase that leads into the lower part of the Ribeira and directly at the pedestrian level of the Ponte Dom Luis (see point 3).

Where: RuaTerreiro da Sé
How to get there: by feet from Ribeira. By Metro São Bento 400 by feet uphill.
When: every day from 9 am to 7 pm . Never: Easter and Christmas.
Ticket: Cathedral Free entrance. Cloister 3 euro.

SãoBento station in Porto

It does not happen very often to get into a station just to admire the architecture. The simple façade of the São Bento railway station (St. Benedict) does not reveal the beauty of the atrium that leads to the tracks.

More than 20,000 azulejos (tiles), painted in blue and white dating back the beginning of ‘900 by Jorge Colaco, the most important Portuguese decorator. Built in 1600 the station is now one of the most visited tourist attractions of Porto. As you enter you will enjoy the blue colour of the tiles depicting the history of transport in chronological order, from the beginnings up to the appearance of the train. The large panels tells the history of Portugal including the solemn entry of D. João I in Porto, with the bride, D. Filipa de Lencastre.

Where: Praça Almeida Garret
How to get there: by feet at the end of Avenida dos Aliados. Metro – SãoBento station.

Mercado do Bolhão in Porto

The crisis in Portugal has left its signs even in the Mercado do Bolhão, the most famous of Porto. Many benches are empty and to the traditional decadence of the place has been added the negligence in cleaning. But it is always worth a visit because it has never become a tourist spot as the Boqueria in Barcelona.

If you want to find out how do the inhabitants of Porto live, what they eat and how they behave, it is the ideal place. Flowers, vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, cold cuts, cheeses: nothing is missing for those who want to take this opportunity to organize a quick lunch in one of the restaurants in the central part of the market. Beautiful atmosphere but also interesting iron neoclassical structure divided on two floors.

Where: RuaSá da Bandeira
How to get there: by subway Bolhão Station
When: Monday to Friday: 7 am – 5 pm ; Saturday: 7 am – 1 pm ; Never on Sunday

The library Lello e Irmão in Porto

Considered by many people the most beautiful bookshop in the world, “Lello eIrmão” attracts tourists, not for the books but for the extraordinary atmosphere and architecture of the place.

Considered a real “book Cathedral”, it was built in 1800 on Portuguese engineer and politician Francisco Xavier Esteves. The magical atmosphere, a fusion of Gothic and Art Nouveau of the place and a good use of wood, is been used as set for some scenes of Harry Potter. Extraordinary the central staircase, with the infinite symbol shape, that leads to the upper floors where there is also a café where you can sit to enjoy the show. No less interesting is the external facade in neo-Gothic style. Theoretically in the library is forbidden to photograph, but it seems that managers are quite tolerant!

Where: Rua das Carmelitas, 144, upper side of Ribeira
How to get there: Metro Aliados
When: Every day 10 am – 7.30 pm

Palácio da Bolsa in Porto

Looking at it from the outside, the Palácio da Bolsaof Porto can be unnoticed, as one of the many palaces of the Portuguese town.

Some travellers, therefore, ignore the majesty and eclecticism that characterize the indoor. Built starting in 1842 by the will of Porto traders, it was to represent the commercial power of Portugal and to welcome the representatives of foreign nations in a majestic place.

Over the centuries, then, it was adorned by sculptors, painters, decorators and craftsmen who worked on the different rooms creating a complex of different styles but well mixed. The most important room is the Arab one , in neo-Moorish style inspired by the Alhambra in Granada. This room fully deserves the title of “Noble” room of the palace. No less monumental are the other rooms, but stands out for its beauty the Hall of Nations, built where there was once a cloister. This large space of 500 square meters is topped by an iron dome of 19 meters high from which enters the natural light that enlighten the façade of several doors and windows. The space around the dome is decorated with the national coat of arms of the countries with which Portugal had relation of friendship and trade.

Where: Rua Ferreira Borges
How to get there: downward the Ribeira
When: Summer time (April to October) 9 am – 6.30 pm (Monday to Sunday)
Winter time (November to March) 9 – 12.30 am / 2 – 5.30 pm (Monday to Sunday)
Never: 25^th December and 1^st January.
Ticket: € 7 single ticket

Things to eat in Porto

The inhabitants of Porto are also called tripeiros (from tripe) so this should already show you what is the main dish of the Portuguese town.

The tripe, along with the traditional salt cod cooked in 100 different ways and franchesina, toast invented in the ’60s are the main courses of Porto. Of course, we assume that those who visit Porto take home a few litersof the wine, famous throughout the world whose most important wine cellars are located in the town of Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river.

Where to sleep in Porto

Since it has become a destination for cheap flights, Porto has become a little bit crowded. The most expensive hotels are located in Ribeira, in the historic center, a few steps from the most important monuments and in the heart of Porto’s nightlife.

In this area the average price of a 3-star hotel is approximately 80 EUR per room per night. Of course there are others in the more external areas (from 20 euro up) but you have to consider the time (never too much during a weekend) to move toward the center. The busiest periods are from late spring to early fall, so we recommend you to book in advance.

cities of art Nimes

10 things to do and see in Nimes

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 20 Gennaio 2017

The symbol of Nîmes is a crocodile chained to a palm tree, a reminder that the city was founded by Roman legionaries returning from victories in Egypt. The Roman period was the most prosperous of all the history of Nîmes as testified by well-preserved remains: the Arena, the MaisonCarree and the Tour Magne.

The old town, typical of a small town in the South of France, has small squares, fountains, tables of the outdoor bars, shops for artists and artisans. But Spain is very close and you can feel it in the atmosphere and, above all, in the cuisine. Provençal, Spanish and Roman, so therefore, we could summarize Nîmes. A curiosity: have you ever wondered where did the definition of Denim jeans come from? It means de-Nîmes, it arriving from Nîmes, it refers to a fabric that local industries have exported all over the worldsince the Middle Ages. In Nîmes there is a great textile tradition, so if you look for a gift, you’ll find tablecloths and shawls in huge quantity.

In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see during a holiday or a weekend in Nîmes.

If you are looking for a hotel in Nîmes, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 100 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Arena of Nîmes

The Amphitheatre of Nîmes is one of the best preserved in the world. Built at the end of the first century A.D., it is about 133 m long and 101 meters large and could accommodate over 20,000 spectators.

The shows were typically Roman and fierce: hunts, animal fights and gladiators, deadly clashes between slaves. The division of space was strictly linked to social class, divided on 34 bleachers: at the bottom there were the rich and the dignitaries in the central citizens, at the top and slaves. During the Middle Ages the amphitheatre was transformed into a shelter for the population during attacks by enemies. A safe and scenic place, as a part of the population decided to build small houses knocked down at the beginning of 1800. Today the Arena of Nîmes hosts sporting events, conferences, and above all, bullfights.

Where: old town centre of Nîmes
How to get there: by feet
When:
January, February, November and December: 9:30am – 5 pm
March and October: 9:30 am – 6 pm
April, May and September: 9 am – 6.30pm
June: 9 am – 7 pm
July and August: 9 am – 8 pm
Ticket: Arena ticket + Maison + Tour Magne: 12 € valid for 3 days.

The MaisonCarrée in Nîmes

The MaisonCarrée in Nîmes is the best preserved ancient temple in the world. The name, in French, means “squared house” and is built inspired by the Temple of MarteUltore in Rome.

26 meters long, 15 large and 17 high, the MaisonCarrée was built by Agrippa, husband of Julia who was daughter of Caesar Augustus. The temple was dedicated to Gaius and Lucius Caesar, the couple’s children and heirs of Augustus. The goal was to give to Nîmes the symbol of a new power, the Roman Empire. The perfect preservation is due to its constant use, never abandoned: the Maison has been a Roman Temple, the Curia, apartment, church, seat of the prefecture, archive. Today is transmitted inside a movie in 3D (with glasses) which tells the story of everyday life in Roman times, the Middle Ages and today. In 1993 the architect Norman Foster has reorganized the surrounding streets to create more harmony with the monument.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When:
January, February, November and December: 10 am – 1 pm 2 – 4.30 pm
March and October: 10am – 6 pm
April, May and September: 10 am – 6.30pm
June: 10 am – 7 pm
July and August: 9.30 am – 8 pm
Ticket: Arena ticket + Maison + Tour Magne: 12 € valid for 3 days.

La Tour Magne in Nîmes

From the Big Tower you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city and you can find out, thanks to an orientation table, the changes of the city over the centuries.

Built on the highest point of Nîmes, Mont Cavalier, it was used as a point of control of Via Domiziana, so it had a military function which played even after the Roman Empire fell, especially during the Hundred Years War.

The Tower is one of the most powerful tower ever built by the Romans and was part of the massive walls (16 km) built around the city of Nîmes. It has an octagonal base and was composed originally by three buildings. Today the last building has disappeared but the tower still has a height of 32 meters. To get to the Tour Magneyou will cross the magnificent gardens of the Fountain, built in 1700 between the Temple of Diana and the Tower. They were the first public gardens in Europe and now offer a nice shelter, especially during very hot Provençal summers.

Where: In the Gardens of the Fountain, about 800 meters from the center.
How to get there: by feet
When:
January, February, November and December: 10 am – 1 pm 2 – 4.30 pm
March and October: 10am – 6 pm
April, May and September: 10 am – 6.30pm
June: 10 am – 7 pm
July and August: 9.30 am – 8 pm
Ticket: free entrance

The Temple of Diana in Nîmes

Among the ancient monuments of Nîmes, the Temple of Diana is certainly the oldest but also the most enigmatic one.

Anybody knows the function and even the origin of the name. It is located in the Garden of the Fountains, in an area that Romans used as a sanctuary dedicated to Augustus. Many people believe it was a library or a hall of worship but over the centuries it was also the monastery until, in 1570, a fire destroyed it. The only evidence of the original structure are the Palladio drawings who went to Nîmes just before the destruction. The temple has an indoor hall with a barrel vault and two stairs that give access to the upper floor.

Where: In the Gardens of the Fountain, about 800 meters from the centre.
How to get there: by feet
When: you have to check the Gardens of Fountains timetable
Ticket: free entrance

The Old Town of Nîmes

After the must see of the roman monuments in Nîmes, the best way to discover the city is a tour of the old Nîmes. The atmosphere is relaxed, a typical one of southern French town very close to Spain.

The old center of Nîmes is the “Place aux Herbes”, with the façade of the Cathedral, the outdoor tables, students from the nearby Academy of Fine Arts or the Conservatory . In the ancient center of Nîmes there are: old shops, antique stores and local products, while here and there you can see capitals, beautiful medieval houses, neoclassical buildings. Do not miss a visit to the nearby Garden of the Fountain, symbol of the love for water and fountains.

The Carréd'Art Museum in Nîmes

In last few yearsNîmes took a definite path: reevaluate its antique jewels, redevelop neighbourhoods, contemporary art and architecture are considered a tool for tourism development.

This project is part of the Carréd’Art, a museum which houses about 400 works of contemporary art from the sixties to today. The permanent collection, exhibited on the first floor, brings together the works according to three criteria: the art in France, the Mediterranean identity and the art of the Anglo-Saxon countries. The second floor, however, is reserved for temporary and international exhibition.The building of the Carréd’Art is itself a work of art. Built and designed by the architect Norman Foster, it is located on 9 floors, of which 5 are underground with a media library and a library with 360,000 volumes and a cinema. The external structure is a clear reference to the classic forms of the nearby MaisonCarrée but with the use of modern materials, steel and glass.

Where: old town centre, close to MaisonCarrée
How to get there: by feet
When: Tuesday – Sunday from 10 to 6 pm
Ticket: € 3,50

Churches of Nîmes

Nîmes has no major religious buildings, but three churches worth a visit for sure: the Church of Saint Paul, the Church of Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Castor and the one of Sainte-Eugénie.

Consecrated in 1096, the Notre-Dame cathedral had many changes, still visible on the façade. The upper decoration is considered one of the finest examples of Romanesque sculpture in the South of France. Much prettier, at least from the outside, the Church of Saint Paul, built in 1800 in neo-Romanesque-Byzantine style. The church of Sainte-Eugénie is the oldest religious building in the city and has a very particular history: built in 956, was the armoury during the religious wars, billiards factory from 1792 to 1876 and again church from 1877.

Le Pont du Gard in Nîmes

A few kilometres from Nîmes there’s an extraordinary architectural work: Le Pont du Gard, built by the Romans to carry water to Nîmes. A work to show the Roman Empire’s power.

Nîmes, in fact, had enough water for the uses of the population. The water in abundance, brought by the Roman aqueduct, however, served to bring to the city the water for fountains, baths and gardens. The aqueduct required a genius of which only the Romans were then able. To bring water from the source of Uzès to Nîmes, the engineers had to calculate the gap of the ground for about 50 km and keep it constant, in order to let the water flow easily.

Things to eat in Nimes

The inhabitants of Nîmesare proud of their cuisine whose main character is oil, the basis of brandade, a plate of crumbled cod andmilk.

The oil is at the base of tapenade, a patè of black olives and herbs of Provence served on bread. Among the dishes you cannot miss bull meat and lamb from the region. If you want to drink one of the oldest wines in the world and one of the best-known waters, you are in the right place. A few kilometers from Nîmes is thePerrier source, while Les Costières de Nîmes, the wine cultivated by the Romans, red and white, is the perfect wine for each lunch in Nîmes.

Where to sleep in Nimes

Half way between Provence and Languedoc, Nîmes is a tourist destination but not crowded. It is chosen especially from the ancient art lovers during a tour in Provence or while they’re going to Spain.

During the spring we suggest you to book in advance to find good prices and comfortable places to stay. Nîmes welcomes tourists in a good standard hotel, apartments or typical &B’s. Prices are high (we are in France!) and the breakfast is rarely included in the price. The cost of a room in a 3-star hotel in the center of Nîmesstart from 70 euro per night cost, but there are also several residences for tourists, B&B’s, apartments and hostels with lower prices.

cities of art Orange

10 things to do and see in Orange

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 20 Gennaio 2017

Like Arles and Nimes, Orange too has preserved in a good way some remains of the Roman domination. The Arc de Triomphe and the Ancient Theatre are two monuments protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. But the city attracts for much more: sunshine, good food, excellent wine, friendly people and lots to see.

In this page we suggest you 5 things to do and see during a holiday or a weekend in Orange.

If you are looking for a hotel in Orange, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 30 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Ancient Theatre of Orange

The Ancient Theatre of Orange is the best preserved of the West. Built at the beginning of the Christian era, it owes its fame to the perfect state of preservation. The stage wall and the auditorium are still perfectly visible. The Theatre is a gem of acoustic, obtained thanks to the niches (in one of these there is a statue of Augustus) and 76 columns used to absorb the sound. The North façade has been defined by King Louis XIV as “the most beautiful wall of my kingdom.” The 9,000 places, divided by social class, allowed the inhabitants of Orange to enjoy comedies, tragedies, dances and various performances. This planning was useful to introduce and adopt the language and Roman culture to the Gauls. As happened to other nearby monuments of Arles and Nîmes, even the theatre had many functions during the centuries: burnt down in 300, lost its original function that would have regained only in 19^th century. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, because the only one in the world to preserve the original stage wall.

Where: old town centre in Orange
How to get there: by feet
When:
January, February, November and December: 9:30am – 4.30 pm
March and October: 9:30 am – 5.30 pm
April, May and September: 9 am – 6pm
June: 9 am – 7 pm
July and August: 9 am – 8 pm
Ticket: Theatre + Museum of Art and History + Audio guide: € 9.5

Arch de Triompheof Orange

As the best Roman tradition, the Arch was built to celebrate the Emperor Tiberius and the victory of the Second Legion Gallica which founded Orange. Both sides are perfectly preserved after a very successful restoration lasted many years. You will enjoy the marine symbolism about Augustus victory over Antony and Cleopatra. The Arc is located 500 meters outside the historic centre, along the ancient Via Agrippa that linked Orange to Lyon and Arles. The territory of Orange has been for centuries subjected to floods and other natural phenomena, then Romans decided to found a city to show the Empire’s power. The Arc de Triomphe is the celebration of this will. Place at the end of the straightaway, it appeared to travellers as an imposing element, a sign of power that still today create fear and reverence.

The Old Town Centre in Orange

A walking tour through the old town centre of Orange allows you to discover some beautiful remains of a thousand-year history of the city. The Museum of Art and History, which is located in front of the theatre, gathers the decoration found or removed during the restoration work. Do not miss a visit to the Church of Our Lady of Nazareth with a beautiful Romanesque portal in Provençal style. Then take a walk and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a southern French town: outdoor seating, tree-lined avenues, squares with fountains.

Things to eat in Orange

The cuisine is typically Provençal but here it goes with two extraordinary wines: Cote du Rone and Chateneuf du Pape, which are typical of the Orange area. Do not miss a visit to the Palace of the 600 wines, a unique place where 150 independent winemakers sell their products, along with wine, oil and other local products. It is located on National Route 7 (just outside the center) and is open every day (except Sunday) until 7 pm.

Where to sleep in Orange

You will find this destination in every tour in Provence. Orange is a must for lovers of art, but it does not have many hotels to welcome tourists. There are about 30 structures in the old town and close to it. The welcome is typically Provençal and the prices are fairly high, the same of the other Provençal destinations. If you leave the centre and go in Chambre’D’Hote (farms), prices start from 50 € per night per couple. In the hotel in the old town, however, a double room price in a 3 star hotel start from 70 euro per night. Remember that in France, breakfast is not included and can cost up to 15 euro per person!

cities of art Salzburg

10 things to do and see in Salzburg

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 11 Gennaio 2017

Salzburg is a charming and seductive city like few others. It looks like a fairy-tale city: placed on the banks of the Salzach River, among stunning mountains and not far from the paradise of Salzkammergut. From the top of the Mönchsberg,the Hohensalzburg fortress stands on the roofs of the old town (Altstadt), small architectural jewel embellished with squares, palaces and churches declared in 1997 a World Heritage Site.

Between XVI and XVII century the small town was transformed in the beautiful city of today thanks to three princes-bishops, art and Italy lovers. Walking through the cobbled streets of the center, the ancient Austrian town reveals all its treasures: historic buildings such as the imposing Cathedral; magnificent monuments like the Mirabell Palace with its beautiful gardens, the sumptuous episcopal palace; picturesque streets from wrought iron signs; fantastic pastry shops and elegant cafés.

Salzburg is also known as a city of music, particularly as birthplace of Mozart, which is the main protagonist of the famous Salzburg Festival, an event that attracts lovers of orchestral music, theater and opera from around the world. The city offers thousands of events throughout the year – the Easter Festival, the Advent songs, the week of Mozart – and is rich of cultural institutions (theaters, concert halls, galleries, museums) .

Salzburg is also one of the favorite destinations for those who enjoy the Christmas markets. The Christmas carols, the smell of roasted almonds, decorated squares enchant visitors with a joyous and traditional atmosphere.

In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see absolutely during your holiday in Salzburg.

If you are looking for a hotel in Salzburg , we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 130 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Hellbrunn Castle in Salzburg

In 1612 the Archbishop-Prince Marcus Sitticus commissioned the architect Santino Solari to build a summer residence in Italian style at the foot of Mount Hellbrunn, near Salzburg. Few years later it was built a beautiful suburban villa surrounded by a large park, still considered one of the finest Renaissance buildings.

The richest springs of the mountain used in a smart way, gave a unique feature to the sumptuous home making it a magical place made up of spectacular fountains, mysterious caves, mechanical games and attractive gardens. Since over four centuries, the Hellbrunn castle is famous for the Wasserspiele (fountains of the palace gardens) designed by the archbishop. The castle was also the place of great festivities, celebrations and cultural events of all kinds while the “Stone Theatre” (the oldest outdoor theatre in Europe) housed above all pastoralexhibitions. During the guided tour, including some amazing water features we suggest you to see: the hydraulic theatre (1749-52) in which about two hundred characters move thanks to the force of the water with the sound of an organ in a building; Neptune or rain cave covered with a mosaic of pebbles and shells; the Octagon with walls and ceiling with frescoes and trompe-l’oeil by Donato Mascagni (1615).

Where: Fürstenweg
How to get there: by Bus (line 25) from the station or city center
When:
Water games and Castle: 29 to 31 March, April, October, until November 4: 9 am – 4.30 pm; May, June, September: 9 am – 5.30 pm ; July, August: 9 am 6 pm*; July, August: guided tours at 7, 8, 9 pm* guided tours every half hour. Duration: waterworks 40 min., The castle 30 min.
Ticket:
Water games (guided tour), Castle (visit with audio guide): Adults € 9.50; Children (4-18 years); Students € 6.50. Groups of at least 20 adults € 7.50; family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) € 24.00. Free admission with the Salzburg Card. Free entrance to the park and orangery. Dogs € 2.00.

Salzburg Cathedral

Salzburg Cathedral is the most important religious building in the city. The octagonal dome, the twin towers and the elegant marble façade of Untersberg adorned with statues of bishops and saints, characterize the monumental construction.

Founded in 767 by Bishop Virgil in honour of saints Rupert and Virgil (the patrons of the region), the cathedral was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, enlarged and modified. Its actual shape is the work of Italian Santino Solari, who made the first sacred baroque building. Severely damaged by the bombs of World War II, the church returned to his splendour in 1959 thanks to the restoration work. The great interior has a single nave with four chapels decorated with stucco and paintings. Beautiful polychrome decorations of the dome with scenes from the life and Passion of Christ, and the Altarpiece of the Resurrection of Mascagni. There is a magnificent main organ, surrounded by angels with musical instruments and the Romanesque font (1321) where Mozart was baptized. The crypt contains the tombs of the archbishops-principles and the remains of pre-existing buildings. Every year since 1920, during the opening of the Salzburg Festival, the Cathedral is the backdrop to the representation of the drama “Jedermann” while during the Christmas season becomes an evocative stage for the Advent songs

Where: Domplatz
How to get there: Subway: NevskyProspekt Station; pl. VosstanjaMayakovskaya; pl. Alexandra Nevskogo.
When: January, February, November: Monday-Saturday 8 am – 5 pm hours, Sundays and weekdays from 1 – 5 pm; March, April, October, December: Monday-Saturday 8 am – 6 pm hours, Sundays and weekdays from 1 – 6 pm ; May to September: Monday-Saturday 8 am – 7 pm , Sundays and weekdays 1 – 7 pm
Ticket: Free entrance. (During the Mass you cannot visit it)

Hohensalzburg Fortress in Salzburg

From the top of the Mönchsberg ,the fortress ofHohensalzburg dominates the Altsdat, the oldest part of the city. Besides being one of the most famous emblems of Salzburg, the medieval military complex is also one of the largest and best preserved fortresses in Europe.

Built in XI century by Archbishop Gebhart during the conflict between the Papacy and the Emperor, the fortress was expanded by Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach, to represent the power of the prince-bishops of Salzburg. So the arsenal, the granary, the warehouses, the church and the great towers, made the stronghold a kind small town where lived the ecclesiastical princes. The fortress today hosts two museums (Puppet Museum and Fortress Museum) and major events such as the Fortress Concerts and Summer Academy, Art Academy held in summer.

The most interesting parts of the fortress are the rooms of the principles, among which the late Gothic “GoldeneStube”, the gold room, and “GoldeneSaal”, the golden hall, with a ceiling decoration imitating the starry sky. Do not miss, within the Trompeterturm (Tower trumpeter), the sixteenth-century pipe organ called “SalzburgerStier” (Bull Salzburg), because the initial and final agreements imitate the moo of a bull, used in the past to announce the opening and closing of the fortress gates.

Where: Mönchsberg
How to get there: From the city center (Festungsgasse): by feet (walking time 15 min.) Or by funicular railway
When:
January-April, October-December: 9.30 am -5 pm *; May to September: 9 am – 7 pm *; Easter and Advent weekends: 9.30 am – 6 pm *; December 24: last entrance 2 pm * Last admission into the internal spaces 30 min. before closing time
Ticket: “FestungsCARD” (Combined ticket: ascent and descent by funicular, courtyards, towers, halls of the archbishops, Museums. Visit with audio guide in 9 languages: tour through the interior (gallery spaces, torture chamber, tower lookout, “Salzburg Bull” – cylinder member). adults € 11.00, children (6-14 years) € 6.30; groups of 10 adults or more € 10.10; Groups of at least 10 children and teens (6-19 years) € 5.80; Families € 25.50. Ticket WITHOUT funicular: adults € 7.80, Children (6-15 years) € 4.40, Groups of 10 adults € 6.90; Groups of 10 children and adolescents (6-19 years) € 4.10; Families € 17.70. Free entrance with Salzburg Card.

The Residenz in Salzburg

The Residenz is one of the most important historical buildings of the city, symbol of the power of the Prince Archbishops of Salzburg.

The palace was built between 1596 and 1619 by Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau and enlarged in 1788-92. The magnificent building was the urban residence and the place of representation of the powerful archbishops until the early nineteenth century, when Salzburg became part of the Habsburg empire.

The sumptuous rooms (Prunkräume) of the baroque residence overlooking the beautiful Residenzplatz, reveal visitors great treasures such as paintings, monumental fireplaces, statues, crystal chandeliers, tapestries and frescos. Particularly interesting: a large living room (about 600 square meters) with a ceiling decorated with frescoes, now used as a concert hall; the Knights’ Hall with paintings by J.M. Rottmayr; the Audience Hall with astronomical clock; the Conference Hall where the young Mozart made several concerts. On the third floor of the Residenz there is the gallery with a collection of European paintings from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century. The collection contains Dutch works of 1600, Italian Baroque works, the Austrian and French and especially Austrian paintings of the nineteenth century.

Where: Residenzplatz
How to get there: by feet in the old town centre
When: Tuesday – Sunday 10 am – 5 pm
Ticket: Combined ticket (Gallery and Gala Hall ): Adults € 8.50; Children (6-14 years) € 2.70. Free entrance with the Salzburg Card.

Mozart Places in Salzburg

Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart, the greatest genius of classical music of all time.

Even if he didn’t love his town, he is its most famous citizen and his presence can be felt everywhere. A square and a bridge were baptized with his name, to him was dedicated the Mozarteum, one of the most important music academies of Europe, cafes and restaurants have his name, there are delicious stuffed chocolate balls of marzipan (the famous “Mozartkugeln”, or the “Mozart balls”) with his name, souvenir shops have gadgets with his face. In Getreidegasse, in the heart of the city, there is the house where he was born and spent the first 17 years of his life. The building turned into a museum in 1880 preserves on the third floor, portraits and family objects , official documents, personal belongings and some of the tools used by the composer (clavichord, grand piano, viola, violin concert and the small violin played by Amadeus child). In Makartplatz 8 is instead, the apartment in which the Mozart family moved in 1773 and where Amadeus lived until 1780, when he moved to Vienna. The museum exhibition focuses on the life and works of the great musician that just within these walls composed the “Sheperd King” K. 208, “The Pretend Garden – Girl” K. 196 and “Idomeneo” K. 366.

Where: Getreidegasse 9; Makartplatz 8.
When: Every day from 9 am to 5.30 pm ; July and August from 9 am to 8 pm . Last admission 30 minutes before closing time
Ticket: (Combined ticket) Adults € 14.00; Children (6-14 years) € 5.00; Kids (15-18 years) € 6.00; students and senior citizens € 14.00. Free entrance with the Salzburg Card.

Christmas markets in Salzburg

If you are looking for a city where the atmosphere of Christmas is magical, where lights and glittering decorations give it a special charm, where hundreds of stalls will invade the old town with their scents and flavours, then Salzburg is your ideal destination.

Every year during Advent time, the Austrian town is characterized by exciting live choirs, concerts, performances and above all, the traditional Christmas markets that for about a month color and enlightstreets and squares attracting thousands of visitors from around the world.

The SalzburgerChristkindlmarkt (Christ Child Market ) extending on Residence Square and Cathedral Square, is one of the oldest markets and one of the largest and most beautiful market in Europe. The wooden houses not only offer shopping opportunities (local products, toys, Christmas ornaments) but they are also an opportunity to taste the sweets and traditional dishes like the “Jagatee”(black tea with” Obstler”or rum) or the fragrant mulled wine.

Also other markets scattered across the city and its surroundings offer moments of great joy and wonder. Do not miss: the charming Christmas market in the courtyard of Hohensalzburg Fortress which offers a breath-taking view of the illuminated city, the one that takes place in front of the Hellbrunn Palace, whose façade is transformed into a huge Advent calendar and finally, the small but popular market in Mirabell Square full of Christmas stalls.

The Music Festival in Salzburg

For six weeks, the city of Mozart becomes the protagonist of one of the most prestigious cultural events in Europe: the Salzburg Festspiele, the music festival with a rich program of concerts, theatre and opera performances, staged in different parts of city (theatres, squares, concert halls, parks).

Every summer, between July and August, Salzburg becomes the most important international stage with great musicians, orchestra leader, singers and actors that make this festival a unique event with culture and entertainment. The writer Hugo von Hofmannsthal, the theatre director Max Reinhardt and the composer Richard Strauss in 1920 founded the Festival with the representation of the drama Jedermann, in the Cathedral Square.

Over the following years, the event was enriched with concerts and high-quality works. After a pause during the Second World War, in 1948, the Festival found its fame thanks to the work of Herbert von Karajan with which the festival became even more international. The latest editions of the Festival are characterized by the will to expand and modernize the program in order to attract also a different kind audience.

MirabellCastle in Salzburg

In 1606 Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau built a castle for his mistress Salome Alt, whogave him 15 children. On the death of Wolf Dietrich, the Altenau Castel was renamed Mirabell castle by the will of Archbishop Markus Sitticus who succeeded him to death.

Completely rebuilt in Baroque style in 1721-27, destroyed by fire in 1818, the palace was rebuilt in a more sober style by Peter de Nobile, the court architect and director of the Viennese architecture school. Today the magnificent building houses the offices of the mayor and city council of Salzburg. The prestigious past can still be seen in some relics: the grand staircase and the Marble hall. The monumental staircase by Lukas von Hildebrandt with cherubs that adorn the imposing marble balustrade is one of the greatest treasures of the Palace. The sculptures in the niches are the masterpieces of the famous Georg Raphael Donner and are among the most beautiful sculptures of European Baroque. The magnificent Marmorsaal, former ballroom beautifully decorated with coloured stucco and gilding is now one of the most beautiful wedding halls in the world, as well as an excellent concert hall. The palace is famous, however, for its French gardens. Designed in 1690, the gardens have beautiful tree-lined streets, flowerbeds, statues and fountains decorated with sculptures. Do not miss the funny little men of stone symbolizing the trades, and Heckentheater (hedges theatre) built around 1717.

Where: Mirabellplatz
How to get there: by feet
When:
Marmorsaal: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 8 am -4 pm ; Tuesday and Friday: 1 – 6 pm .
The Grand staircase every 8am 6 pm .
Garden: daily from 6 am until sunset.
Heckentheater: closed during winter time
Ticket: free entrance

Things to eat in Salzburg

The traditional Austrian and Bavarian cuisine has greatly influenced the cuisine of Salzburg, whose dishes, rich and hearty, well satisfy everybody

The meal usually begins with a soup of vegetables and/or meat followed by a meat dish such as fleischknodel (meatballs) or bierfleisch (beef stew with beer), or the classic boiled sausage with mustard. During the autumn people use to eat game, especially duck, pheasant and deer, cooked in every way.

We suggest you to try the Kaiserschmarrn, a type of crepe served with powdered sugar and apple juice and/or prune; the Bierkuchen, a cake made with beer, raisins, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and hazelnuts. Do not miss the famous Apfelstrudel (apple strudel) and the SalzburgerNockerl, a souffle covered with powdered sugar. Between drinks the most widespread beers in the city are: the lager “Marzen”, the “Bockbier”, a very strong beer with about 10% alcohol and the “DunklesHefeweizen”, fruity flavour. Very popular, especially among young people, Red Bull, whose inventor, Dietrich Mateschitz, lives in Salzburg.

Where to sleep in Salzburg

Salzburg has a good tourist offer, which turns out to be insufficient in two periods of the year: at Christmas, when the markets occupy every space of the city and the city is crowded by tourists of all nations;in the summer, with the extraordinary Salzburg Festival, one of Europe’s most important cultural events.

Excluding these two periods, it’s easy to find rooms with affordable prices. The tourist accommodation is excellent, in line with the Austrian tradition. A 3-star hotel in the center, costs from 80 EUR per night, double occupancy.

If you are looking for a hotel in Salzburg, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 130 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Munich

10 things to do and see in Munich

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 11 Gennaio 2017

Munich is exactly as you imagine it: full of beer, history and cordiality.

It can be defined the “other” capital of Germany, one in which modernity is mixed with traditions. The most famous beer festival in the world, the “Oktoberfest”, is a clear example of how the habits of the past have become an active part of this city.

The historic city center is a concrete example of how the past and the present of Munich are part of a unique, harmonious environment. In the central square, in fact, there are the Alte and NeueRathaus (old and new town hall), one built around the ‘400, the other from the early’ 900. The two municipalities represent the history of the city through the Gothic architecture that gave a timeless beauty to Munich. The streets have seen the passage of important historical people such as the great composer Wolfgan Amadeus Mozart, who in Munich looked for a job at the court of the Wittelsbach family, who ruled the Bavarian city for about 800 years, and Pope Benedict XVI who was the archbishop of Munich.

In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see during a trip to Munich.

If you are looking for a hotel in Munich, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 320 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

NeuesRathaus and AltesRathaus in Munich

The old (Altes) and the new (Neues) Town Hall of Munich are two of the most beautiful and interesting buildings in the entire city. They are located in the center of Monaco, in Marienplatz, the square dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

In the beautiful Gothic façade of the NeuesRathaus there is the Glockenspiel, the clock-carillon, decorated with animated statues. At 11and 12 o’clock am (even at 5 pm in summer), the Glockenspiel ringsand the small statues that are on the front start moving. The statues evoke the traditional dance made by horse traders to avoid the plague. The AltesRathaus was almost entirely rebuilt after the war, trying to maintain the original style of the building. Within the “Old Town Hall” there is a beautiful collection of antique toys and from the top of the building you can watch the entire city. The show is impressive, but the 306 steps to climb to get to the top may not be as pleasant as the view. The square is dominated by the bell tower of Alter Peter, better known as the Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church), the oldest church of Munich.

Where: Marienplatz
How to get there: by subway, Line 3 and 6 – Marienplatz direction
When:
NeuesRathaus:
Tower from November to April: Mon –Fri 10 am – 5 pm ; during the Christmas market every day 10 am – 7 pm ; May to October daily 10 am – 7 pm ; never: Holidays.
Carillon (Glockenspiel)
Nov – Feb : 11 am and 12 pm
March to October: 11 am , 12 and 5 pm , except on Good Friday
AltesRathaus: daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Ticket: AltesRathaus: 3 €

Residenz, the Royal Palace of Munich

The royal residence of the Wittelsbach dynasty is one of the most spectacular palaces in Europe: the family members have contributed to embellish and enlarge the structure, creating a real art museum.

Construction works of the building began around 400 century, when the Wittelsbach realized they has many enemies. The Residenz, in fact, was built after some peasants revolt. One of the entrances, the one that overlooks the Max-Joseph-Platz, was inspired by the famous Palazzo Pitti in Florence. The oldest façade of the building has two large portals, guarded by a statue of the Virgin Mary. Inside, the “Ahnengalerie”, the gallery of the ancestors, will leave you breathless for the beauty of the frescoes. At the entrance there are four bronze lions that, according to legend, were pet by the military before going to the wars as a superstitious gesture.

How to get there: Subway Station Odeonsplatz and Marienplatz, lines U3 and U6. Odeonsplatz stop with Bus 100. Stop “Nationaltheater” of tram line 19.
When: from 9 am to 6 pm from April to 15 October, from 10 am to 5 pm from 16 October to March
Ticket: € 11 full ticket, € 9 reduced ticket

Frauenkirche in Munich

The Cathedral of Our Lady (Dom zuUnsererLieben Frau) is the imposing building that dominates the city of Munich. Built between 1468 and 1488 in pure Gothic style, the cathedral was built on the ruins of an ancient Roman basilica.

The brick façade and two columns 99 meters high, give to Our Lady of Munich Cathedral a gloomy and severe appearance. The brass domes mounted on top of the two towers have a very particular form: they are usually called “the “onion”. The bombings of the Second World War seriously damaged the Frauenkirche but with the restoration work completed in 1994, it has regained the ancient and severe aspect of the Cathedral of Our Lady. In the Church there is a floor tile with a foot imprint, called “The Devil’s footprint”. It is said that the builders of the Church challenged Satan, claiming that they built a cathedral with no windows. Focusing toward the altar from where is the footprint, the windows are covered by columns: apparently, thanks to this stratagem, the builders were able to win the bet with the devil, who realized it only after the consecration of the Cathedral.

Where: Frauenplatz
How to get there: by subway U3 and U6 Marienplatzstop
When: Every day from 7 am to 7 pm and Friday from 7 am to 6 pm.

Kunstareal in Munich

Do not blame the too many beers if you see many works of art: you are simply inKunstareal. “The art area” is the area made in the first half of the nineteenth century with the intention of concentrating in one area of the city the real institutions that housed the works of art from around the world.

The project was conceived, as many of the sights of Monaco, from the Ludwig I when he was just Dauphin and not King. Inside the Kunstareal there are the three most important art galleries of all Munich: AltePinakothek, NeuePinakothek and Pinakothek der Moderne. From the Italian Renaissance to the works of French masters, Spanish and Flemish, up to the modern art of Andy Warhol and Joseph Beuys, in these three art galleries you can find what you want. Kunstareal district, however, also hosts the Lenbachhaus, the museum dedicated to impressionism, expressionism and art nouveau. The museum complex of Munich also offers an important look at the history of ancient art, with collections of works of Greek and Roman cultures, housed in the Glyptothek and the Staatliche Antikensammlungen. You’ll be surprised and delighted by the wealth of museums housed in Kunstareal!

Deutsches Museum in Munich

The Deutsches Museum in Munich is the largest museum of the world dedicated to science and technology. There are about 28,000 objects.

The construction of this monumental attraction of Munich dates back to 1903, and was commissioned by the engineer Oskar von Miller, who had already made the first high-voltage train line linking Monaco to Misebach. In addition to thesize and the beauty of the exhibition, another special feature of the Deutsches Museum of Munich is to be placed on the small island Kohleinsel (coal island), then renamed Museumsinsel (island museum). The headquarters of the museum, in fact, is placed in the middle of the Isar River which cross the city. The Deutsches Museum of Munich is a special attraction for both adults and children, for whom are set up special attractions, surprises and games inside the museum.

Where: Museumsinsel
How to get there: by subway: S-Bahn: all lines Isartor direction
U-Bahn: line 1 and 2 Fraunhoferstrasse stop
When: from 9 am to 5 pm
Never 1 January, 24 February, April 10, May 1, November 1, 24, 25 and 31 December
Ticket: full ticket including transport, visit to the Central Museum, and Flugwerft € 17. Reduced, up to sixteen years old , € 8.50.

Englischer Garten in Munich

The English Garden of Munich is the beautiful green area of the Bavarian town of about four kilometers. It is one of the largest parks in the world and is much appreciated by the citizens of Munich and tourists.

It was built in 1789 as a garden for the military people, but the entrance was allowed in the early nineteenth century also to civilians, transforming the “Englischer Garten” in the first public park in Germany. One of the features of the park is that on the inside, near the entrance, there is an area reserved for nudists. In summer, in fact, the park is ideal for enjoying a little bit of sun, swimming or just spend a few hours into the nature. In some areas you can see young people doing surf. In the English Garden of Munich there are special buildings: one of these is the Japanese structure that stands at the entrance, called “JapanischeTeehaus”, offered by the government of Tokyo to the city of Munich for the 1972 Olympic Games. There is also the temple in greek style and the “Pinakothek” hosting the Monopteros restaurant.

Where: ten minutes from Odeonsplatz on subway lines U4, U5 and U6
When: 7 am – 7 pm

Oktoberfest in Munich

To celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig I of Bavaria was organized a big party that lasted from 12 to 17 October 1810. The main attractions of the celebration days were the horse race and the famous Bavarian beer.

The success of the festival was so big that it was decided to repeat it every year: thus was born the Oktoberfest in Munich. With this event, about about six million visitors a year under come in the area of Theresienwiese (gardens), where are served gallons of the most famous Bavarian beer brands. The Oktoberfest lasts sixteen days, ending with the first Sunday in October. The opening ritual of the ceremony sees the mayor to put a tap into the barrel chosen for the inauguration. Once tapped the first beer, the mayor opens with the famous words “O’zapft is!”, (typical phrase of the Bavarian dialect meaning more or less “is untapped!”). The Oktoberfest is a festival to attend without a doubt if you are in Munich during that period of time.

Where: Theresienwiese
How to get there: Theresienwiese Station on subway lines U4 and U5
When: last Saturday of September to the first Sunday of October

Things to buy in Munich

The road connecting the central Marienplatz square toStachus square, is called Kaufingerstrasse (and changes its name to Neuhauserstrasse in the midway) and is the place for shopping. In this way there is really everything from shopping centers to diamond shops. Especially loved by tourists is Max Krug, the shop specializes in souvenirs and typical Bavarian objects. For all the women who go crazy for fashion, the doors of Ludwig Beck are always open, even if the prices can sometimes be prohibitive. But Munich not only has megastores: one of the most fun things to do, is to stroll among the stalls dell’AuerDult, the flea market that takes place in Marienplatz.

Nightlife in Munich

You cannot go to Munich and not spend an evening in a pub eating sausages and drinking so much beer. It will be trivial, obvious and a little bit out of fashion, but it is one thing to do absolutely. So we suggest you to go to Hofbräukeller, the ancient royal brewery that started the legendary production of beer. There is also the Kultfabrik which is an area with many clubs, bars, restaurants, concert halls and exhibition spaces. In Kultfabrik you can find all kinds of fun, from erotic shows to art exhibitions. Moreover to see the young and creative face of Monaco, take a trip to Schwabing, the artists’ district, where the excitement never rest, either by day or by night. When stroll in Schwabing, remember that it was enlightened for the first time with electric current by Hermann Einstein, father of the future Nobel Prize in Physics Albert.

Where to sleep in Munich

Munich is a very rich city and it’s really hard to find cheap hotels: even hotels with only two stars are priced like luxurious hotels, and do not even offer breakfast.

Neither the hotels far away from the centre are a little bit cheaper. So you’d better to choose a hotel near the main sights. If you want to do anything to save on accommodation, there is an economic solution: you can find some overnight parking for a few Euros per hour. In this way you can save some euros but does it worth it?

cities of art Monte Carlo

10 things to do and see in Monte Carlo

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 11 Gennaio 2017

Famous for its Formula 1 Grand Prix, for the majestic Casino appeared in several Hollywood films, for its beaches and parades, yacht and luxury cars that populate the streets, Monte Carlo is certainly the Principality icon district of Monaco. It owes its name to Prince Charles III of Monaco who saved the finances of the kingdom after the disastrous father’s policy, and for this emergency was built the Casino that now dominates and embellishes the square.

Located on the Ligurian Sea, among its skyscrapers, grand hotels and elite restaurants, Monte Carlo hides a beautiful neo-Romanesque cathedral, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in which are preserved some original paintings of the sixteenth century, an exotic garden , and the elegant Castello deiPrincipi that dominates the territory from 1191.

In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see absolutely during your holiday in Monte Carlo.

If you are looking for a hotel in Monte Carlo, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 30 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Monte Carlo Casino

The Monte Carlo Casino is the elite symbol of the Principality and is located in the namesake square, adorned with a majestic fountain and a parterre of luxury cars. The casino is part of a complex that also includes the Grand Théâtre, located close to it.

There are also the Carré d’Or and the Galerie des AlléesLumières.

You cannot visit without Monaco avoiding the Casino. The Casino was designed by the same architect of the Paris Opera and is made by gold and marble, sculptures and frescoes. Many movies have been set in it including Never Say Never, GoldeneEye, and Ocean’s Twelve.

The structure was inaugurated in 1865, following the decision of Prince Charles III to build a casino to consolidate thestate finances.

Where: Place du Casino
When: every day from 2 pm
Ticket: the entrance requires an ID and is for adults only. Ticket is € 10 plus a supplement of an additional 10 € for accessing to Salons Privés. An appropriate outfit is required, uniform not allowed.

Le Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo

Le Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo, best known as “l’Opéra”, is a great theater, part of the Casino. It was inaugurated in 1879 and designed by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera: Le Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo is indeed a little copy of the famous Parisian theatre.

Everything here recalls the splendour of the Belle Époque: gold ornaments, lights and stunning window overlooking the blue Mediterranean sea. A curiosity: columns that support the entire structure were designed by Gustave Eiffel. Yes, the one of the Tower.

Le Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo is one of the international jet set venues and has hosted a number of world premieres, including La damnation de Faust by Hector Berlioz in 1893 and Massenet’s Don Quichotte in 1910. Today it is the home of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, but has always hosted the protagonists of world theatre scene: just think of Caruso, Saint-Saëns, Puccini, Tito Schipa.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Monte Carlo

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral is located in the centre of Monaco and is the most important religious building in the city.

The cathedral is a white neo-Romanesque marblejewel, consecrated in 1911 and rises on the ruins of a church dating back to 1252 dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myra.

Inside you can admire the altarpiece of St. Nicholas, built in 1500, the triptych of Saint Devotaand a large organ restored in 2011. To the left of the presbytery there are the tombs of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly. Every Sunday at 10 am there is Mass sung by The Little Singers of Monaco.

Where: Rue Colonel Bellando de Castro, 4
When: every day from 8.30 am to 6 pm. Summer time until 7 pm
Ticket: free entrance

The Oceanographic Museum in Monte Carlo

The oceanographic museum in Monte Carlo is the joy of children and adults since 1910, and proof that this little corner of Europe is not just luxury cars and tax haven.

This museum gives to visitors 6,500 square meters of space in which there are over than 6,000 marine species including sharks, turtles, fish of the Mediterranean and the Tropics, and even a coral reef that grows happily in these waters since 1989.

In addition to aquariums you can admire a collection of objects and tools that document the birth of oceanography.

Where: Avenue Saint Martin close to Prince’s Palace
How to get there:
By feet or by car: you can park in the Parking des Pêcheurs and reach the museum by elevator.
Bus: line 1 or 2 in the direction of Monaco Ville, get off at the terminus.
When: every day
From January to March: 10am to 6 pm
From April to June: 10am to 7 pm
July and August: 10am to 8 pm
October to December: 10am to 6 pm
Ticket:
Adults: € 14; children 4 to 12 years old and disable people:
€ 7 Kids from 13 to 18 and students: € 10; Children under 4 years free entrance
Combined ticket Museum + Prince’s Palace: adults € 19, children 13 to 18 and students € 11, children from 8 to 12 years € 9 and children 4 to 7 years 7 €.

The old town of Monaco

Walking through the old town of Monaco means to discover an entire pedestrian area, much like the small towns of southern France.

Well-kept, rich in history and fascinating sights, the old town of Monaco is placed at the foot of the “rock”, where stands the Prince’s Palace, and welcomes visitors with narrow streets, small shops and bakeries withcolourful and inviting windows, plus a number of historical sites and monuments.

Do not miss the Place Saint Nicolas, the Chapel of Mercy and the Condamine area, with its colourful vegetable market.

From there, a nice slopes leads to the Port Hercule area, with brasseries, restaurants and shops. Close to the Condamine is located the Moneghetti district with historic villas, lots of greenery and playgrounds for children. It is a valuable opportunity to learn about the traditional Monaco and to hear perhaps the Monegasque dialect, so similar to the dialects spoken in Liguria, a few kilometres faraway .

Prince's Palace in Monaco

Placed in the centre of Monaco, Prince’s Palace overlooks the sea and the territory by 1191. The official residence of the Prince of Monaco in fact stands on the ruins of a Genoese fortress, and from 1297 is owned by the Grimaldi family.

Legend tells that the leader of the Guelph Francesco Grimaldi, with his cousin Rainier I, get into the palace dressed like a monk, killing the guards of the Republic of Genoa.

Today the building and its interiors can be visited only in summer. The entrance is dominated by a marble double staircase of 1600 and the route includes a series of rooms that trace the events of the Principality, including the state apartments. Thegold and yellow Salon Louis XV, colourful panelling of Mazarin Salon, beautiful brocades that decorate the Blue Room, the Throne Room. Along the way are exhibited frescoes, portraits and furniture from the 1700s.

Every morning at 11.55 in the courtyard there is the ceremony of the changing of the guard.

Where: Place du Palais
How to get there: By feet or by car: you can park in the Parking des Pêcheurs and reach the museum by elevator.
Bus: line 1 or 2 in the direction of Monaco Ville, get off at the terminus.
When:
From April to October: 10 am to 6 pm; July and August: 10 am to 7 pm
Never from November to late March and during the Saturday and Sunday of F1 Grand Prix
Ticket:
The entrance fee includes the audio guide.
Adults: € 8; boys 8 to 12 years: 4 €; Children 4 to 7 years: 7 €.
Children under 4 enter for free
Combined ticket Price’s Palace and Oceanographic Museum: € 19 adults, € 11 children 13-18 years and students, € 7 children 4-7 years.
Combined ticket Prince’s Palace and cars collection s.a.s. The Prince of Monaco: € 11.50 adults, € 5 children 8-14 years and students, free entrance for children up to 8 years.

The Exotic Garden of Monte Carlo

Opened in 1933, the exotic garden of Monaco collects a wide variety of succulent (fat) plants, which thanks to the different origins bloom all year. You can admire various species of agaves and cacti from Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, South America, Mexico, United States.

The exotic garden is located in the heart of Monaco and offers a break in the countryside, but also the chance to explore, with the help of experienced cavers, a limestone cave that rises from the sea up to 100 meters high, with stalactites and stalagmites. The findings of animal bones testify the human presence in these places since prehistoric times. Complete the visit with the Prehistoric Anthropology Museum inside the garden, which houses the relics found in the cave.

Where: Boulevard du JardinExotique, 62, downtown Monaco.
How to get there: by feet
When: Open all year from 9.00: in January, November and December closed at 5 pm; from February to April at 6 pm and at 7 pm in summer
Ticket: The ticket includes a visit to the garden, to the cave and the entrance to the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology.
Adults: € 7.20; children aged 6 to 18 and students: € 3.80; for those over 65 years: 5,50 €

The New National Museum of Monaco

It promotes and spreads contemporary art, with a series of exhibitions, permanent collections and events related in particular to the cultural heritage of the Principality of Monaco.

The New National Museum of Monaco has two exceptional locations: Villa Sauber and Villa Paloma, two historic villas in the heart of the city, acquired by the state and turned into museums. The 875mq of Villa Sauber are dedicated to the theme “Art and Entertainment”, while Villa Paloma hosts the “Art and Territory” section. Each year the museum has at least two exhibitions of contemporary artists and designers.

Among the top names of past exhibitions are René Magritte, Claude Monet and William Turner.

Where: Villa Sauber is located at no. 17 avenue Princesse Grace in Monaco. Villa Paloma n. 56 Boulevard du JardinExotique
How to get there:
Villa Sauber can be reached with the #n. 6 bus, stop Grimaldi Forum / Villa Sauber. For those arriving by car, parking is located at the Grimaldi Forum and Place des Moulins, a public elevator takes you directly to the entrance.
Villa Paloma can be reached by bus line 2 direction JardinExotique, stop Villa Plaloma, and line 5stop Hôpital, and then public elevator. For those arriving by car, parking is at the Exotic Garden.
When:
The villas are open every day from October to May 10 am to 6 pm and from June to September 11am to 7 pm.
Never: May 1st, November 19th, New Year, Christmas, Grand Prix weekend.
Ticket: the ticket includes access to both villas is 6 € for adults and € 4 for groups of 15 or more. Admission is free for kids until 26 years old and the disable people.
Combined ticket New National Museum, Exotic Garden and Anthropological Museum: 10 €

Things to eat in Monte Carlo

Placed between France and the Mediterranean, a few steps from Italy, the Principality of Monaco has been influenced by two of the most popular cuisines in the world.

But Monte Carlo is a unique place: the top quality ingredients , starred restaurants, excellent service excellent and high prices .

For this, together with international dishes of the highest level, you’ll find the best of all the French and Italian traditional dishes: fish and shellfish, pasta, pesto, sauce, crepes suzettes, cheese, Nicoise salad, oysters and delicious desserts. However, the Monegasques are loyal to two or three dishes, some of which are derived from recipes of Ventimiglia and Imperia.

First of all: the Barbagiuan. Homemade ravioli, stuffed with pumpkin, ricotta, basil and fried. It seems that the name derives from the Ligurian beard Giuan, an uncle John, that invented it.

The Stocafi instead is cod with tomato sauce flavoured with garlic, black olives, fresh herbs. Then, also in Monte Carlo there is the pizza: it’s called Pissaladière and is a seasoned focaccia with onions, tomato anchovies and herbs such as sage, rosemary and thyme.

Traditionally in Monte Carlo the meal ends with Fougasse, sweet rolls with aromas of orange and anise, sprinkled with almonds, granulated sugar and pine nuts. The desserts go with anise-based liqueurs or with Mesccia, the typical liqueur.

Where to sleep in Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo is the pearl of the Principality of Monaco. Placed on the Ligurian Sea, only a few hours away from Genoa, is the home of one of the most important royal families of Europe, luxury tourism destination and birthplace of magnificent historical and architectural masterpieces.

The offer of hotels and other accommodation is not very wide (about 27 hotels) but enough to meet the needs of travellers. The costs are high: for a 3 star hotel in the center they start from € 150 up.

cities of art Marseilles

10 things to do and see in Marseilles

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 11 Gennaio 2017

There’s an old say: ”Marseilles has three problems: France, Provence and the Mistral”. So we think is funny that the French hymn is the Marseillaise, also because Marseilles since 19th century has been jealous of its independence.

Today is a city of France (after Paris is the largest city) but it continues to be autonomous, with its own deep-rooted personality. The traffic is chaotic, the fishmongers yell, thieves are very active, the city never sleeps and it is noisy but full of life, colourful, cheerful, good food and there thereare many things to see. That’s why it is called the Naples of France. The city made a renovation project, especially in the harbour area and neighbourhoods that were abandoned for decades.

In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see during a holiday or a weekend in Marseilles.

If you are looking for a hotel in Marseilles, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 300 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Garde in Marseilles

The city tour should start from the square of Notre Dame de La Garde overlooking Marseille and from which there is a splendid view of the city and the Mediterranean sea.

Built in Romanesque-Byzantine style that has attracted so much criticism, the basilica has a statue of the Virgin Mary that people call Bonne-Mère. Actually the churches are two: the lower church that looks like a crypt, with a polychrome crucifix and a marble mater dolorosa. Then there is the upper church, the sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin with the extraordinary mosaics with a gold background, coloured marbles and the numerous votive offerings on the walls, as sign of miracles made by Virgin.

Where: Fort du Sanctuaire street
How to get there: Bus 60 from the Old Port.
Train from the Old Port (cost 8 Euros)
When:
Monday 7:30 am – 7 pm
Tuesday 7:30 am – 7 pm
Wednesday 7:30 am – 7 pm
Thursday 7:30 am – 7 pm
Friday 7:30 am – 7 pm
Saturday 7:30 am – 7 pm
Ticket: free entrance

The Old Port of Marseilles

The Old Port is a must see of Marseille, the spirit of the city. Fish markets, boats returning to the harbour, restaurants, cafés, everything create an authentic landscape.

Since 2600 years, the founding of Massalia by the Greeks, Marseille’s life took place mainly here. Starting from 1600 the entrance to the harbour was controlled by the massive presence of two strongholds: the one of St-Jean and the one of Saint-Nicolas.

The fort of St-Jean was built after the raid by the Aragonese people (1423) to defend the entrance to the harbor. In 1660 it was built on the opposite side of the fort of Saint-Nicolas with the aim to control the population. The two forts were linked by a spectacular bridge which was destroyed during the Second World War. As happened to other parts of Marseille, even the Old Port has been redesigned. The work ended in 2013, making it cleaner and less chaotic. There is also “The shed”, a work by architect Norman Foster, an artificial sky of 46 x 22 meters made with stainless steel mirror .

The old town and Le Panier District in Marseilles

Behind the Marseilles city hall you enter into the heart of the historic center of Marseille “Le Panier District”.

The name is uncertain, but it seems to derive from an ancient inn dating back to 17 century which was called “Le Logis du Panier”. We can define Le Panier a fascinating mix between Naples, Barcelona, Vietnam and other world cultures.

You will see some clothes hanged out to dry, old people sat out the houses, Bouillebasse and ratatouille smell, people screaming and women returning from shopping. After experiencing decades of neglect and being one of the most dangerous places in Europe, since 1983 the city of Marseilles and the European Commission started the renovation of the neighbourhood. In the district is worth a visit to the Church of “Accoules” where there is a rock of Golgotha “as atonement of all the crimes committed during the Revolution”.

The Church of the VieilleCharité in Marseilles

In the heart of Le Panier there is the VieilleCharité, a former hospice beautifully restored and renovated. Around the beautiful chapel there are rooms which welcomed the poor and the dispossessed.

The restoration of the church was the first step for the recovery of the entire district of Le Panier, which had become almost a ghetto.

The complex was founded in 1640 when the City Council decided to create a space for poor people of Marseille. The construction began in 1670 and ended in 1749 by Pierre Puget, architect of the king who created one of the most beautiful architectural complexes in Europe. The complex of the VieilleCharité consists of four buildings of 3 floors that overlook a courtyard with a central chapel built between 1679 and 1707. A perfect example of Italian Baroque, it has a façade rebuilt in 1863 that echoes the theme of Charity, hence the name: important architectural work of an ovoid shape, a perfect example of pure Italian baroque. The present façade dates back to 1863. After decades of neglect, since 1986 it is a multidisciplinary center and houses the Museum of African Arts, Oceanic and Amerindian (MAAOA), the International Center of Poetry of Marseilles (CIPM), the Cinémathèque Le Miroir, the Museum of Archaeology Mediterranean and some rooms for exhibitions.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When:
Monday 10 am – 6 pm
Tuesday 10 am – 6 pm
Wednesday 10 am – 6 pm
Thursday 10 am – 6 pm
Friday 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
Ticket: free entrance

La Rive Neuve in Marseilles

In front of the Old Port there is la Rive Neuve de Marseille. For many centuries this place was made by unhealthy marshes and was uninhabited until 1400 when it was decided to build old arsenals then enlarged by Louis XIV in 1660.

In this part of Marseille lived up to 10,000 convicts (the galleys catched during the war), often in terrible conditions. Many of them survived working in soap factories orwithsmall businesses in the port. Today Rive Neuveis a very lively place, where among squares, trees and neoclassical buildings, people meet at the tables of many bars and restaurants.

La Cathédral de la Major in Marseilles

The green and white marble of this impressive cathedral will attract your eyes since you arrive in Marseilles. The Cathédral de la Major is actually composed by two churches:

The Old Major, built in the mid XII century, was cut in two sides with the construction in 1850 of the New Major, the currently visited side of the church. With the works was found a splendid early Christian baptistery, square on the outside and octagonal inside, but it was buried again even if it is considered as one of the finest and largest in Europe. The Old Major is located right next to the new one but, unfortunately, is closed and not open to visitors. Romanesque-Byzantine style, the New Major has a Latin cross shape with a dome of about 70 m high and 18 m in diameter.

Where: Old Harbour
How to get there: by feet
When:
Monday 10 am – 6.30 pm
Tuesday 10 am – 6.30 pm
Wednesday 10 am – 6.30 pm
Thursday 10 am – 6.30 pm
Friday 10 am – 6.30 pm
Saturday 10 am – 6.30 pm
Ticket: free entrance

La Corniche, Vallon des Auffes and the Calanques

Looking at the sea, from the left of the Old Port, it starts La Corniche, a splendid walk that can be done by feet or by tram along a scenic road of 5 km.

The Corniche was started in 1848 without any tourism purposes but only to provide jobs for about 8,000 unemployed workers. The work, which lasted 15 years, have created one of the most beautiful and famous streets in the world. The Corniche goes from the Old Port of Marseilles until ParcBalnéaire du Prado. Since the ’20s, the tram line has made it the walk par excellence of Marseilles and a location with magnificent villas. Between glimpses of the sea and some awful concrete stuffs ,we suggest you a stop in the picturesque Vallon des Auffes, small fishing port where you can eat an excellent “bouillabaisse” (fish soup) and other local specialties. Going towards Cassis, however, you enter the Natural Park of the Calanques, stunning cliffs overlooking the sea.

The Château d'If and the Frioul Islands

Looking towards the sea, from every point of Marseilles, you can see the white silhouettes of the Frioul Islands, whose irregular shape was carved over centuries by the Mistral.

This small archipelago 20 minutes by ferry far from Marseilles consists of four islands: Pomègues,Ratonneau, If and Tiboulen. The If island is certainly the best known, because from 1516 his castle had the function of a prison for centuries. After welcoming the Protestants and defeated the insurgents of 1848 and the communards of 1871, it stopped to be a prison and became a national monument in 1890. The other islands are almost uninhabited, so intact, with a barren nature, beaches and crystalline waters.

Where: A 20-minute far from Marseille by ferry boat
How to get there: by Ferry from Old Harbour. Company Frioul If Express.
When:Ferryboat
Every 20 minutes from 6:30 am to approximately midnight.
If Castle
From January to March and from October to December :every day except Monday 10:00 am to 5 pm
From April to October: every day 10:00 am to 6 pm
Ticket: € 5.50 one way ticket .
The Château d’If separate ticket: 5,50 €

Things to eat in Marseilles

Marseilles is synonym of “bouillabaisse”, a fantastic fish soup made with scorpion fish, sea gurnard, conger eel, sauces and vegetables.

The bouillabaisse is prepared in all the seaside resorts of Provence but in Marseilles you will taste the best. Always from the sea are the “Marseilles mussels”, seasoned with tomato.

The other main scent in the streets of Marseilles is the Alioli, the fried garlic and olive oil, base of each dish of Marseilles. Other typical dishes are the tapenade, an appetizer made with anchovies, olives, capers and garlic and Panisse, a cake made with chickpea flour. Marseilles is multi-ethnic city, which for decades welcome immigrants mainly from North Africa and the East. Their dishes have become part of the local cuisine, such as the kemia, small appetizers with the Pastis, anise-based liqueur that Provençal people drink any time.

Where to sleep in Marseilles

Marseille has been the Capital of Culture in 2013 and this has contributed to the redevelopment of the city. Also the opening of low-cost routes contributed to the rediscovery of this beautiful Mediterranean city.

For many decades it was considered dangerous and chaotic, nowadays Marseilles offers to travellers a nice weekend destination, warm and sunny. About 300 hotels and acceptable prices allow you to choose a good accommodation without spending a fortune. For 3 star hotel the cost starts from 70 euro per night but remember that usually, in France, breakfast is extra and can cost 10 euro per person. We suggest you to choose area close to the centre such as Old Harbour and la Rive Neuve.

cities of art Lyon

10 things to do and see in Lyon

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 28 Dicembre 2016

Lyon is not among the most popular tourist routes, but is a beautiful destination, easily accessible and offers above all an extraordinary gastronomy, a beautiful old town, and a rich and relaxed atmosphere. The city is divided into three major areas: the Presqu’Ile, the peninsula formed by the junction of the two rivers (the Rhône and Saône); The Corix-Rousse, the hill “that works for the historical presence of the silk factories” and Fourvière, the “praying hill” because of the Basilica of the same name. In the peninsula there is the Old Town with the Place des Terreaux, Hotel de Ville, the Cathedral of Saint-Jean, the Museum of Fine Arts and countless alleys and streets where there are the famous Bouchons, taverns that offer one of best cuisines in the world.

In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see during a trip to Lyon

If you are looking for a hotel in Lyon, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 130 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Le Vieux Lyon – The old town

The “Old Town” is the historic heart of Lyon, the largest Renaissance district of Europe. On the Peninsula (Presqu’ile) between the Rhone and Saone rivers there arealleys, small squares, secret passages (Traboules) three large churches (St Jean, St. Paul and St. George), old artisan shops.

After years of decay, the “Old Lyon” has been fully renovated and is now protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Do not miss Place Des Terreaux with the Town Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts and the Cathedral of St. Jean of which you will find more information below.

Place des Terreaux in Lyon

Sit on a table and enjoy the passage of tourists around the “Old Town”. The square is a must see because there are three main attractions:

The Town Hall, closed to the public but beautiful to see from the outside; the Museum of Fine Arts (see below) with important masterpieces of Italian and foreign authors; the Bartholdi Fountain, the same sculptor who created the Statue of Liberty. The fountain, in fact, was meant to embellish Bordeaux which could no longer afford it and Lyons made a good deal. The subject of the sculpture is the Garonne, but it was not hard to believe that the rivers are the Rhone and Saone.

Fourvière and Croix-Rousse in Lyon

The hill of the Croix-Rousse (Red Cross) is not the most religious one of Lyon. Here, in fact, there were the silk factories and workshops so that people use to call it the “Hill which works.”

Religious hill is the opposite, ieFourvière (The “praying Hill”) where there is the Basilica (see below). On the Croix-Rousse we suggest you to visit the Palace of Voraces while in Fourvière you can spend most of your time. Here there are the remains of Lugdunum, the Roman Lyon, with the Theatre and the Odeon.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon

Many people visit the Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon especially for the collection of coins (about 50,000), the most important in France after the one of Paris. The museum is located in a building of seventeenth century in the Place des Terreaux, and there is a fine collection of European paintings from primitive art until 1800.

As always, there are Italian artists paintings (Perugino, Tintoretto, Veronese, Guido Reni) but there are many other great works of European painters. Among these many French (Delacroix Corot, Manet, Matisse, Gauguin and Cézanne) but also Rembrandt, Cranach the Elder, Zurbaran, Rubens and Van Gogh. If you still have a little of time there is also an exceptional collection of art objects covering about the Liberty period.

Where: Place des Terreaux
How to get there: by feet in the Old City or by subway: lines A and C, Hotel de Ville – Louis Pradelstation
When: open daily from 10 am – 6 pm , Fridays from 10:30 am – 6 pm 8. Closed Tuesdays. On 24 and 31 December closes at 5 pm
Ticket: € 7

The Saint Jean Cathedral in Lyon

In 1100 started the construction of the Cathedral, and during that period the architectural style in vogue was the Romanesque; however during the 300 years of works the Romanesque was abandoned for the Gothic style.

The Saint Jean Cathedral (dedicated to St. Stephen and St. John the Baptist) is one of Europe’s best examples of the transition from Romanesque to Gothic. About 80 meters long, is located in the place where there were already some Christian churches in Lyon, and was built by “stealing” the stones from the Roman monuments of Lyon. Inside there is one of the oldest astronomical clocks in Europe. Every day at 12:00 pm , 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm the clock starts the beginning of a show with angels, roosters, St. John and the Heavenly Father.

Where: Place Saint-Jean
How to get there: by subway, line D stop Vieux Lyon
When: every day from 08:15 am to 7:45 pm ; Saturday from 08:15 am to 7:00 pm ; Sunday from 08:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Ticket: free entrance

Les Traboules in Lyon

The traboules (covered walkways) are the real feature of Lyon. The first was built during the Renaissance just for aesthetic purpose but since then people understood their utility and have used them for different purposes.

For example, the artisans of silk, used them to transport the silk without exposing it to rain, and the partisans to hide from the Nazis. Today many of the traboules are private and closed to the public but there are some of them that you can freely cross: they are in rue St Jean 54 and 27 and in the Place du Gouvernement. If you find the gate closed, look for the electronic button to open it!

The Wall in Lyons

It is not an historical monument, because it has less than 20 years, but it is a very unique building, so it’s worth to visit it. It is the so-called Wall of Lyons, the front of a whole palace frescoed with scenes of everyday life in Lyon and several people’s portraits

It is located in the Presqu’Ile in Rue de la Martinière and can be reached with the metro, Hotel De Ville station. Among many local characters stand out someworldwide famous: the Emperor Claudius, the Lumière brothers inventors of cinema and Joseph-Marie Jacquard, inventor of the fabric of the same name, all born in Lyon.

The Fourviere Basilica in Lyon

If you are in the Old Town and raise your eyes to the Hill of Fourvière, you feel you are looking at a giant toppled elephant.

That is the Basilica, the most sacred place of Lyon. Built in the place where the first Christian martyrs of Lyon were killed, the Basilica has this strange shape because of the four octagonal towers and a shape that makes it look like a pachyderm with balance problems. Built in 1870 it is characterized by a mixture of styles (gothic, classical, Byzantine) and the nave with a mosaic that tell the life of the Virgin Mary. The church, in fact, is dedicated to the image of the Virgin Mary of 1500 (preserved in the Chapel of the Virgin) that seems to do miracles by 1500. The hope to receive one miracle attracts millions of pilgrims from around the world every year.

Where: Place de Fourvière
How to get there: by feet from the Old Town or take the funicular next to the Cathedral.
When: every day from 9 am to 12:30 pm and from 2 to 6 pm except Sunday
Ticket: free entrance

Things to eat in Lyon

Few people know it, but Lyon have the best gastronomy in France and then in Europe and the world. Do not be surprised: there are people who take a plane or a train just to spend an evening in one of Lyon’s restaurants.

The best place to taste the local cuisine are the Bouchons, taverns that for several centuries delight people of Lyon and tourists.

Named after the bouchon, bundle of hay put under the banner to indicate that people could eat there. Then the bouchons have become places where all products are cooked very well, in a perfect fusion of traditional and modern cuisine. Among the dishes do not miss the meat in Andouillette (sausage and pork stomach) calf liver, Sabodet and saucissonchaud à la lyonnaise (sausage) and tripe. Among the salami there are different salamis (rosettes, cervelas, jesus). If it seems too much for your stomach you can taste a classic Lyonnaise salad, thistles, onions au gratin and various cheeses. For wine, you are in France, so go easy with a Coast of the Rhone.

Where to sleep in Lyon

Like other French cities, Lyon is not a particularly cheap city, but has a good availability of hotels that you always get a good deal.

The highest prices are for hotels in Presqu’Ile, closed to touristic places. On two hills prices are lower and you can find a good hotel even at 40 euro per night. Outside those areas prices are lower but you have to use public transport to get into touristic places of the city.

cities of art Kracow

10 things to do and see in Kracow

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 28 Dicembre 2016

More than 100,000 students of the ancient Krakow’s universities, after their lessons go out in clubs, pubs, and nightclubs, especially in winter when it’s very cold for weeks. This constant presence of students (and their professors) makes Krakow (since few centuries) the true cultural capital of Poland.

Krakow will not disappoint you in any case. The Old Town is intact with its large medieval square. From the top of Wavel (Hill), the Castle guards the city. In the city center there is also a small but interesting museum with the beautiful painting of the Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci while the surrounding area include the salt mines and the NowaHuta district. Karol Wojtylalived in Krakow performing its dual function as a bishop becoming pope and going to Rome. A tour through the places of his activity is one of the most popular routes.

In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see absolutely during your holiday in Krakow.

If you are looking for a hotel in Krakow, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 400 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Krakow Castle

If you like the legends, the Krakow castle (Wavel) is just the place for you: once upon a time there was a dragon living there that terrorized the city.

The king promised to those who had killed him, half the kingdom and the daughter in marriage: a shoemaker made him eat a stuffed sulfur sheep which forced him to drink the whole Krakow river (Vistula) and burst! The dragon, is waiting for you at the entrance of the Wavel in the form of monuments. Beyond the legends, the Castle of Kracow is a symbolic place for the whole of Poland: here lived and were crowned kings of the Kingdom before it became the capital Warsaw. Many rooms can be visited along with the Chapel Royal, the royal treasury and Medieval armory.

Where: in the upper side of the city
How to get there: by feet from the old town centre
When: every day, Monday excluded
Ticket: 17 zl (€ 3,85)

Old Town in Krakow

Perfectly preserved, with few cars, many cafés and restaurants, the Old Town of Krakow (Stare Miasto) is considered World Heritage by UNESCO.

The heart of the Old Town is the Rynek, the Market Square (the Poles say it is the largest square in Europe). At the center of the Rynekthere is the Clothes market (Sukiennice) the Church of Santa Maria with the two towers of different heights. The Old Town is attached to another historic district of Krakow, Kazimierz, named after its founder, King Casimir the Great. For about 600 years it has hosted the large Jewish community of Krakow, until it was exterminated by the Nazis. After decades of neglect it has started a new life thanks to the attention brought by the movie Schindler’s List (the place is located just 20 minutes outside the center). Do not miss the synagogues and old shops with original written.

The Lady with an Ermine in Kracow

There is a long story behind how a masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci arrived in the Czartoryski Museum, but maybe it is not interesting.

Much more interesting is the story of the “Lady” portrayed: it seems that Leonardo met Cecilia GalleraniinMilan in 1494 while he was a guest at the Castello Sforzesco in Milan. Leonardo was commissioned to paint Cecilia who was then only 15 years old but she was already famous for her sensitive soul. The ermine was the symbol of Ludovico il Moro, but in Leonardo’s intention was to draw the roots of Cecilia’s name (Ermine in greek is said Galle). After a tour in Europe including Poland, Italy and France, the Lady with an Ermine has stopped at the Czartoryski Museum in Krakow with a Rembrandt, a Mantegna and some other important works.

Where: old town
How to get there: by feet
When: every day, Monday excluded
Ticket: 9zl (€ 2,50)

Pope Wojtyla Tour in Krakow

Even if you are not religious and you are not interested about the Pope, one way or another you will feel the spirit of Pope Wojtyla above Krakow. Before becoming Pope, in fact, Karol Wojtyla has been bishop of the city for about 15 years.

The tour goes through the Debnikineighborhood where he lived on his arrival in Krakow, the ancient Jagiellonian University where he studied and taught philosophy, the Rynek, the Bishops’ Palace in Rynek, where he lived as bishop of Krakow. In all the churches of the city, the future Pope prayed and held Mass and a church with a strong symbolic value is that of the suburb of NowaHuta, just outside Krakow. Wojtyla put the first stone of the church (the Ark of the Lord) in 1967 but only after 20 years of struggle with the communist government the workers had the permission to complete it.

Nova Huta in Krakow

We suggest you to take a ride in this neighbourhood, especially if you are interested in architecture or history. Here lived the 40,000 workers of the steelworks with their families. According to the socialist regime it was to be the ideal city, with wide avenues, green spaces and a very intense collective life.

NowaHuta, istead, was a bad place polluted by steelworks where people lived in a state of deprivation in all the same apartment buildings. Today you can visit the neighbourhood with a tour on an old Trabant, the car par excellence of the regimes in Eastern Europe. At NowaHuta there is the Ark of the Lord, an ugly church with a strong symbolic value: it was Karol Wojtyla, then bishop of Krakow, to put the first stone. But only after 20 years of struggle the workers were able to obtain permission to build it.

Salt Mines in Krakow

Just 13 km outside the center of Krakow there is an extraordinary spectacle not to be missed: the salt mines of Wieliczka, which for centuries have provided salt and wealth to Poland.

After the end of production, fortunately, they have not been abandoned but revived to make it a tourist destination of excellence. You will be amazed by the “Salt Cathedral”, a true church of 54 x 12 meters dedicated to the Blessed Kinga, the patron of Polish miners. But there is much more to discover: nearly 300 km of tunnels with bas-reliefs, decorations, ponds and even a space to make salt inhalations: the mines, in fact, are a blessing for those suffering from allergies, thanks to stable microclimate and the purity of the air.

Where: outside the old town centre
How to get there: from Krakow station by train
When: every day, excluded: 1^st January, Easter, 1^st November, 24^th and 25^th December
Ticket: 50 zl (€ 12,50)

Auscwitz in Krakow

It is the place of the tragedy par excellence and not everyone knows that Auschwitz is a Polish town not far from Krakow.

Definitely not a place to gofor a relaxing holiday, but if a trip is essentially the pleasure of discovering new cultures and learn something, then Auschwitz is an inevitable stop. More than 1.5 million people, including Jews, homosexuals, political opponents, gypsies, disable people, were exterminated in this place designed to make murders as a non-stop industrial chain. Go through the gate with the famous and mocking inscription ArbeitMacht Frei (“Work makes you free”) and you will be in an horrible place with gas chambers, personal objects, photographs and documentaries about the extermination.

Where: outside the old town centre
How to get there: from Krakow station by train
When: every day, excluded: 1^st January, Easter, 25^th December
Ticket: free entrance

Nightlife in Krakow

Krakow is a university town: this would be enough, then, to let you imagine the movement that there is in the city and the entertainment places of all kinds in the city center.

Every night, nearly 100,000 students, use to meet in pubs, discos, clubs with all kinds of music. Nightlife in Krakow is very exciting and you won’t spend so much money because the prices are very affordable.

Things to eat in Kracow

The best way to enjoy the cuisine of Krakow is to go into a Jadłodajnia, a kind of restaurant that offers traditional food and very low prices.

Or you can go ina Mlecny Bar, memories of the old communist regime where the food is self-service with prices lower than € 5. They are scattered all over the town. The variety of dishes is quite limited, and after a few days you might not want to see meat and potatoes for some months. However we suggest you to taste Piroghi (ravioli stuffed with cheese, meat or other) barszcz (beetroot soup and ravioli) the chlodnik (a cold soupofcurdr milk) and bigos, meat stew. Do not forget a ride in the Jewish Ghetto where you can find the street food at a low price. All this, of course, with the excellent Polish beer.

Where to sleep in Kracow

Krakow has an excellent offer of hotels, hostels and apartments with affordable prices.

The massive presence of students has some effects on the availability of cheap accommodations. For tourists, therefore, there is a wide selection, but if you decide to go to the city in the spring you need to book in advance. Nowadays the prices have increased, but they are still affordable. For a double room in the historic center in a 3-star hotel prices vary from 40 to 80 Euros per night.

Avignon cities of art

10 things to do and see in Avignon

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 28 Dicembre 2016

Known to all as the City of Popes, this beautiful Occitan town owes much of its beauty to the period (since 1307) during which the Pope and his entourage lived in the city. The quiet little French town became a permanent construction site, “the second Rome”, as it was renamed.

The Palace of the Pope is certainly the most important thing to see but do not miss a view of the nearby “Little Palace” a museum with works by great artists, including Botticelli. Another museum hosts a beautiful gallery of works from 1700 to 1900: is the Angladon, built by a wealthyParisian industrialist, which now houses the only Van Gogh painting in Avignon and works of Degas, Manet, Cezanne, Picasso and Modigliani. If you are not interested in museums, we suggest you to go in the city in July and enjoy the Avignon Festival, an explosion of music, theatre, dance and any other form of artistic representation was invented! Obviously you are in France and Provence, then you will eat and drink well above all because it is a culinary capital and a centre for the production of Cotes du Rhone, excellent wine.

In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see absolutely during your holiday in Avignon.

If you are looking for a hotel in Avignon, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 80 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Palais des Papes - The Palace of the Popes in Avignon

When in 1305 Pope Clement V was forced to run away from Rome, he took refuge in Avignon. The small, unknown Occitan town, became, by that time the new capital of Catholicism. But with the Pope and his court of priests, arrived in Avignon businessmen, merchants, prostitutes, thieves and murderers.

This kind of people is around the Palace of the Popes, which was built in just 20 years. To decorate and beautify the Old Palace and the New one was called Matteo Giovannetti, . Although without its historic furnishings, the Palace of the Popes is a must-see of Avignon. Do not miss the Consistory Hall, one of the Great Audience with the great wheel that gives its name to the Roman Rota Court, the Main Chapel.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When:
September 1 to November 1: 9 am – 7 pm. November 2 to Février 29: 9:30 a.m. – 5.45 pm March: 9 am – 6.30 pm.
1 April to 30 June: 9 am – 7 pm.
July: 9 am – 8 pm.
August: 9 am – 8.30 pm.
Ticket: € 10.50 single ticket. € 13 with the St Benezet Bridge visit

The St.Bénézet Bridge in Avignon

The Avignon Bridge was 900 meters long and had 22 arches. It connected Avignon to the town of Villeneuve.

Its construction is linked to a legend, the one about the shepherd Benezetwho was called from an angel to build the bridge and had to convince the bishop and the Avignon citizens. He did it lifting a huge rock and throwing it into the Rhone.

The rock is still there, visible to those who believe in legends. When it was built the bridge was a true masterpiece of engineering: nearly 1 km long and 22 arches that have survived for centuries to the fury of the river, until two floods (1644 and 1669) almost destroyed it, living only the current 4 arches. It is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the nearby Palace of the Popes.

The Museum of the Petit Palais in Avignon

The Petit Palais in Avignon actually is not small because it is 3,000 square meters. But he was named in this way to “respect” the largest and most important Palais des Papes.

Built during the Avignon captivity, it was the seat of the archbishops and now houses a unique art collection.

Particularly valuable the collection of 300 works of Italian art from 1300 to 1400. There are paintings by Carlo Crivelli, Taddeo di Bartolo, Cecco di Pietro, Lorenzo di Bicci, Sano di Pietro and manyother. The highlight of the collection is a Madonna and Child by Sandro Botticelli.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When: every day excluded : Tuesday, 1^st January, 1^st May, 25^th December. From 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 to 6 pm
Ticket: € 3

The Angladon Museum in Avignon

In Angladon Museum there is the only work of Van Gogh (Wagons train) remained in Provence of about 300 that the artist painted during his years between Arles and St-Remy.

This already justifies a visit but the small Avignon museum hides other masterpieces of the most important painters from 1700 to 1900: Degas, Daumier, Manet, Sisley, Forain, Cézanne, Picasso and Modigliani.

The museum, wanted by the Parisian rich industrialist Doucet, is organized as an house of a wealthy art lover, then the paintings are included in a typical home environment, including a lounge with antique furniture and a sumptuous bedroom!

Where: in the old town centre. Rue Labourer 5
How to get there: by feet
When: From Wednesday to Sunday 1 – 6 pm
Ticket: € 6

Notre Dame des DomsCathedral in Avignon

There are many different theories about the origin of this name: it is believed that Doms may result from Domo Episcopal (Bishop’s House), des Doms (the rock on which it stands), de Domnis (Lord) or perhaps Dompjon (Tower in old French).

However, it is the most important church in Avignon, city cathedral, built in the twelfth century. On the top there is the statue of the Virgin Mary (6 meters and 4500 pounds) . The singularity of the statue (as well as the size), is the absence of the figure of the Child Jesus, but it is not new to this church. Also inside there is a statue of the Virgin Mary who prays to save Avignon from the plague in 1834.The statue that gives the church its name is placed in the second chapel on the left: it is Our Lady desDoms, with a Child and sceptre.

Where: close to the Palais des Popes
How to get there: by feet
Ticket: free entrance

Place de l'Horloge in Avignon

It is not a great square, but it is certainly majestic and full of life. In the last few years the tables of the cafés and restaurants, real traps for careless tourists, havereduced the spaces and making it a very commercial square.

Place de l’Horloge is still the most important square of Avignon and remains an obligatory point of passage for tourists and citizens. The old-fashioned horse carousel is one of the most photographed subjects of Avignon. It takes its name from the clock that is located on top of City Hall, and that in fact it is almost invisible from the square itself. Place de l’Horloge is the central point of the exhibitions of the Avignon Festival (see point 8) and any other more or less important event for the city.

Les Luminessences in Avignon

This is really a nice example of how you can take an historical monument and make it interesting for everyone, adults and children, and how to hire people in tourism sector. Unfortunately, it is active only from 15 August to 28 September, but the show Les Luminessences in Avignon is well worth a visit.

It is a spectacle in 3D that is projected on the Palace of the Popes, to narrate, with sounds and images, the history of Avignon, from its splendour to decadence.

A very innovative way to share knowledge about a place. The show lasts 45 minutes and the narrator voice is French, but you can peacefully enjoy it all without knowing a single word of the language!

Where: in the Palais des Popes courtyard
How to get there: by feet
When: 15^th August – 28^th September two shows each night
Ticket: € 10. You can buy the ticket only www.lesluminessences-avignon.com

The Avignon Festival

There are only two possibilities: you know the Avignon Festival and you want to go there, then it’s time to book a hotel, because otherwise you will not find it. Or you do not know the Avignon Festival and then try to pass through the Provençal town in July and you will find out that until now you missed a great show.

More than 40 shows are organized in Avignon, from small chapels to the courtyard of the Palace of the Popes. Street artists, actors, musicians, photographers, writers are in every corner of the city, transforming it into a huge set and place of culture. The Festival lasts 3 weeks and the full program is available anytime on the official website: www.festival-avignon.com

Things to eat in Avignon

Avignon is primarily a French wine capital thanks to the Cotes du Rhone. Then, Avignon is competing with Arles to be the gastronomy capital of Provence.

The area around the City of the Popes is a huge vegetable garden, legumes and fruits, so the protagonists of the local dishes: garlic and oil, ratatouille (vegetable stew), bohemian (tomato and eggplant), tian (tomatoes and zucchini) are always on local tables. But if you want to try two local dishes, you have to taste the Daube avignonnaise, leg of veal marinated in white wine with local herbs or the berlinguette, hard-boiled eggs with anchovy pie.

Where to sleep in Avignon

Avignon has a great touristic tradition and a good hotel offer, B&Bs and room for rental. Costs for a double room start from € 80 in a three star hotel located downtown.

Thanks to its weather, Avignon is a crowded city in each time of the year, in particular since spring to summer. So we suggest you to book in advance .

Ascoli Piceno cities of art

10 things to do and see in Ascoli Piceno

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 21 Dicembre 2016

The main thing of Ascoli’s landscape is the stone. Ascoli is a city of towers, churches, squares and palaces, the entire historic center was built by carving the travertine blocks of Piceno’s quarries. For this reason it is smooth and uniform, elegant and comfortable. You can admire all this beauty in Piazza del Popolo, with the Church of San Francesco, Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, medieval houses and arcades.

Other most important monuments of Ascoli are in Piazza dell’Arringo: Palazzo dell’Arringo seat of the Civic Art Gallery, the Cathedral of Sant’ Emidio, the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the Episcopal Palace with the Diocesan Museum. Ascoli is also worth a visitfor traditional Marche welcome and an excellent gastronomy. In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and seeduring a weekend or a holiday in Ascoli Piceno.

If you are looking for a hotel in Ascoli Piceno, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 30 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Piazza del Popolo in Ascoli Piceno

The first thing you will notice in Piazza del Popolo is its extraordinary architectural harmony.

This kind of sensation is made by the majestic façade of Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, the huge walls of the Church of San Francesco, the Renaissance buildings, porticoes and loggias, and also the historic and the little bit out of fashion CaffèMeletti. Piazza del Popolo is a meeting point for people of Ascoli in order to enjoy a coffee or a cocktail with friends.

Its story is very interesting. In 1507, the governor Raniero de’ Ranieri, decided to build on three sides of the square some vaults made of red brick and travertine columns. People who owned spaces in the square had to follow strict rules: no more than one floor, buildings with the same height, always made of travertine and red brick and same windows for all homes. What do you think? Do we need severe rules still today to preserve the beauty of Italy?

Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo in Ascoli Piceno

Palazzo deiCapitani since seven centuries is the center of Ascoli’s civil power. Built between 1200 and 1300 to replace three small buildings and a noble tower converted into a bell tower, it played the “People’s Palace” function, where the representatives of the guilds took the government’s decisions.

It became “Town Hall”, seat of the lords who for centuries ruled Ascoli, including the King of Naples, the Sforza, the Pope and the podestà who transformed it into the seat of the fascist faction and “Casa del Littorio”. Burnt down during Christmas in 1535 to end the revolt of some people, it was rebuilt in the following years and until 1563 it hosted the old Governors. It became the seat of the Pontifical Governors and only after the unification of Italy (1860), it was given to the state. You can visit the interior with the beautiful Renaissance courtyard, the Sala dellaRagione, the Coat of Arms Hall. Very interesting the visit to the archaeological remains from the Roman period to the Medieval emerged during a recent restoration work.

Where: down town centre
How to get there: by feet
When: every day from 9 am to 7 pm. Never 25^th December, 1^st January
Ticket: free entrance. Some exhibition may require the payment

The Church of San Francesco in Ascoli Piceno

The Church of San Francesco is one of the central point of the religious life in Ascoli. The imposing Gothic shape makes it one of the main characters of Piazza del Popolo.

In 1215 St. Francis visited Ascoli where he stayed for several months and since then 30 young people of the city took the habit giving life to the Order of Minor Conventual Friars. To welcome their community, in 1258 it was begun the construction of the Church of San Francesco.

The central portal is very interesting: the lunette is decorated with St. John the Baptist, Our Lady and St. Francis while at the center of the arc there is a lamb in honor of the Corporation of Lanari who participated in the costs of construction. The big Gothic portal is decorated with the monument to Julius II who set Ascoli free from tyrants and Gianfrancesco Astolfo Guiderocchi. The interior is very simple, with a rectangular shape of a Latin cross, three naves divided by ten octagonal columns, Gothic arches and vaults in the Romanesque style. Next to the Gothic portal there is the Loggia dei Mercanti. Under the loggia it is still visible the travertine sheet that shows the measures of all the architectural elements used to build the Lodge, for maintenance and replacement.

Piazza Arringo in Ascoli Piceno

Piazza Arringo or “dell’Arengo” competes with Piazza del Popolo for the role of civil and religious center of Ascoli.

Much larger but not less harmonic, the square takes its name by the meetings (and speeches) of the people that took place under an elm. There are four main buildings in Arringo Square: the Cathedral of St. Emidio, the patron saint of Ascoli and protector from earthquakes, is worth a visit especially for the crypt where is preserved the mausoleum with the body of the saint and the wonderful polyptych of Crivelli.

The nearby Baptistery of St. John, one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy. The most important civil building in the square is the Arengo Palace, now the seat of the Municipal Art Gallery while the Episcopal Palace houses the Museum Diocesanowith some works of Crivelli.

Diocesan Museum and Civic Art Gallery of Ascoli

In Piazza Arringothere are the two main museums of Ascoli: Palazzo Arringo houses the Civic Art Gallery, small but extraordinary collection of works from 1400 to the present.

There are the few paintings left in Italy by Carlo Crivelli, a Venetian master from 1400 unknown to most people, whose works, however, are exhibited in major museums around the world: the Art Gallery houses the two triptychs of Valle Castellana.

Together with Crivelli you can admire works of Cola dell’Amatrice(The Road to Calvary, 1527), Tiziano (St. Francis receiving the stigmata, XVI sec.), Guido Reni (Annunciation, 1575) and even Loving Walk, a work of 1901 made by PellizzaVolpedo, author of the famous Fourth State. The Diocesan Museum, in the nearby Episcopal Palace, always worth a visit for the works of Crivelli, including a beautiful Madonna di PoggioBretta

Civic Art Gallery
Where: Arrigo square, old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When: Tuesday– Friday: 10 am – 5 pm
Saturday, Sunday and holidays 10 am – 7 pm
Never on Monday, 1^st January in the morning, 24^th December afternoon, 25^th December, 31^st December afternoon
Ticket: € 8 included the entrance for The Contemporary Art and Ceramic Museum
Diocesan Museum
Where: Arrigo square
How to get there: by feet
When: Monday – Friday 9.30 am – 1 pm . Saturday 9.30 am – 1 pm , 3 – 7 pm
Ticket: € 3,50

Caffè Meletti in Ascoli

It may be strange to find a coffee between 10 things to do and see in a city, but before judging, enjoy the show of the historic Caffè Meletti. Included among the 150 historic cafés of Italy, since 1905 it is an important place of Ascoli, as well as a meeting place for painters, writers, businessmen and common people.

On the tables under the arcades in Liberty style used to sit Sartre, Hemingway, Mascagni, Guttuso, Pertini, soldiers and many more. On the pink façade there is the old written “AnisettaMeletti”, anise-based liqueur which made famous the coffee. Produced for the first time in 1870 by Silvio Meletti, it is obtained from the anise plant. People use to enjoy it with a “fly”, a coffee bean in the glass. Any meal in a restaurant of Ascoli always ends with Meletti anisette. Obviously do not overdo it, it’s still an alcoholic drink!

Sant'Emidio Temples in Ascoli

Piazza Bra is one of the largest squares in Europe, dominated by the Arena and made precious by some historical buildings. The square takes its name from the German word breit, which means wide

In Piazza Bra there is the liston, the pavement in pink marble of Valpolicella, the same one used to build the Roman Amphitheatre. On the liston, people love to meet, walk and chat, before to sit down at a bar for a coffee or an aperitif.

A tradition that goes back in the past because already Goethe, in his Italian Journey essay, wrote “..on the pavement of the Bra a multitudeof people used to walk.” In addition to the Arena, in the square you can find the Gran Guardia Palace place for exhibitions and events and Palazzo Barbieri town hall.

Where:
Sant’Emidio Rosso Temple
After the Roman Bridge, take Via Tucci. About 10 minutes walk from Piazza del Popolo.
Temple Sant’Emidio alle grotte
it is located outside the historic center, near Porta Tufilla. Ask for information at the point of tourist information in Arringo Square.
How to get there: by feet
Ticket: free entrance

Via delle Stelle and Roman Bridge in Ascoli Piceno

The name is certainly impressive and it fits with this medieval glimpse of Ascoli Piceno.

Via delle Stelle is along the old path of the city walls, near the right bank of the river Tronto. People call it Rretëmierghië that means “behind the crenelated” because all the buildings along the street were crenelated for military defence needs. Along the way, quiet, there are medieval towers and palaces, remains of ancient shops, cobblestone streets and panoramic views of the river Tronto.

It seems that the name derives from the habit of lovers in the evening to find a little of “tranquility”. At the end of Via delle Stelle there is the Roman Bridge considered an extraordinary example of the constructive capacity of the Romans. Of the Augustan age, it was built with a single span of about 62 meters, a true miracle for its time.

Where: Fontveille direction
How to get there: by car on the street D17
When:
October 1, to March 31, : Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm
1 April to June 30: Monday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 6 pm. 1
July to 30 September : Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Never: 1st January, 1st May, 1st and 11th November, December 25
Ticket: € 7,50

Things to eat in Ascoli Piceno

It is not clear how much work it takes to make an olive Ascolana until a restaurant owner of Ascoli explains it to you.

The most representative dishes of Ascoli requires excellent products (pork, chicken, beef, wine, eggs, Parmesan cheese, olive oil), time and effort to prepare. Usually the olives are part of the “fried vegetables” with lamb chops, artichokes and fried custard. You can eat as an appetizer or as a second course. Other local dishes are noodles and macaroni of Campofilone with meat sauce, especially chicken. Among the latter stand out the meat of the Marche region. For sweet, castagnole with aniseed, frustingo (nuts, dried figs, almonds) and the sweet Pizza. Among the local wines to try Rosso Piceno Superiore and Falerio. Any meal always ends with Meletti anisette.

Where to sleep in Ascoli Piceno

Although it is an important tourist attraction and one of the most visited Italian cities, Ascoli has not an excellent capacity.

There are fewer than 30 hotels, making it difficult to find a cheap room during the high season (spring and early autumn). On the other hand, the prices are not high and usually the rooms are housed in beautiful historic buildings. A room in a three star hotel in the Old Town start from 50 euro per night.

cities of art Lucca

10 things to do and see in Lucca

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 21 Dicembre 2016

The best way to discover Lucca is looking at it from above. You can do it climbing on its massive walls, on the Tower Guinigi or facing the 207 steps of the high Clock Tower. From these points there is a great view over the rooftops of the town. This overview will allow you to appreciate the beauty and harmony, and find the same urban structure built by the Romans.

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro(Amphitheatre Square), can tell you something of the past. The Church of San Michele, also called the Forum, was the center of the ancient Lucca. The two main axes, Via Fillungo and San Paolino, were modelled on the Roman Decumani. Lucca is a comfortable city, tidy, with an excellent gastronomy and beautiful surroundings .

On this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see during a holiday or a weekend in Lucca.

If you are looking for a hotel in Lucca, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 100 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Amphitheatre square in Lucca

The Amphitheatre square in Lucca is one of the most beautiful in Italy. Built in 1830 by the architect Nottolini, it has the same ancient plan of the Roman amphitheatre.

The construction destroyed much of some Roman buildings, which are visible still today inside the shops surrounding the square.

Amphitheatre square has no big openings. The access to the square, in fact, takes place by four small doors giving it the appearance of “enclosed square.” The point of intersection among the four door is indicated by a ceramic tile in the middle of the square. The shops, cafés and terraces, and the weekly market make it the heart of Lucca, where citizens and tourists spend most of their time.

The Cathedral of Lucca

The first thing you notice of the cathedral dedicated to St. Martin is the asymmetry of the right side of the façade which was adapted to the existing bell tower. On the polychrome façade there is San Martino statue who is sharing his cloak with a beggar.

On the right side there is a maze inspired by the myth of Ariadne and Theseus and symbolize the path to follow in life for redemption. The interior has three naves and some extraordinary works of art: first of all the Funeral Monument of Ilaria del Carretto, wife of the lord of Lucca Paul Guinigi, created by Jacopo della Quercia. You can admire the ancient crucifix of the Holy Face (or Santa Croce) which would represent the true face of Christ. According to legend it was carved by Nicodemus, helped by God’s grace, to make the real face of Christ. There is also the Madonna and Child with SS. Peter, Clement, Paul and Sebastiano del Ghirlandaio and the Last Supper by Tintoretto.

Where: Piazza Antelminelli
How to get there: by feet in the old town centre
When: summer time from 7 am to 7 pm. Winter time from 7 am to 5 pm
Ticket: € 5 ticket including a visit to the Cathedral Museum and the Church of Santi Giovanni e Reparata.

The Churches of San Michele and San Frediano

Like many other Italian cities, also Lucca is called as “the city of 100 churches”. The abundance of places of worship is referred not only to the visible churches but also to private chapels, annexed to the buildings, some of which are still visible.

After the Duomo of San Martino, the two most important churches are those of San Michele and San Frediano. San Michele is located in the square where once stood the Roman Forum. You will be impressed by its high façade of four meters high above the roof and on which stands a Saint Michael slaying the dragon. According to legend, the finger of the statue has an exceptional diamond that shine during the night. San Frediano is one of the oldest places of worship of Lucca, founded by the saint. There is a beautiful mosaic on the façade (which is very rare for a Romanesque church) and the great baptismal font inside.

Where: San Michele in San Michele Square , old town centre. San Frediano in San Frediano Sqaure, old town centre
How to get there: by feet in the old town centre
When: San Michele from 7.40 to 12 am and from 3 to 6 pm. San Frediano from 8.30 to 12 am and from 3 to 5 pm. Holidays from 10.30 am to 5 pm

The walls of Lucca

You will not notice themajestic walls of Lucca until you visit it. It is not so much the height to impress (12 meters) but the length of 4 km and width of 30 meters, as a four-lane highway! With all this space and without even an enemy to defeat, it was natural for the city to transform this space into a beautiful tree-lined boulevard where you can walk, play sports, organize events or simply enjoy the beautiful view over the rooftops.

Admired all over the world for their architectural value, they have always been studied by architects and planners: they are, in fact, the only example of theintact modern age defensive walls. They were built between 1504 and 1645 on a project by Alessandro Farnese, and, fortunately, have never been used to defend the city from a siege. They have been very useful, however, to save the center of Lucca by the violent flood of the river Serchioin November the 18^th, 1812.

Torre Giunigi and Torre delle Ore in Lucca

There was a time, in the Middle Ages, in which there were 250 towers in Lucca of all sizes. Today there are only two: the Torre Giunigi and the Torre delle Ore.

The Giunigi Tower was commissioned by the rich and powerful family of merchants of Lucca of fifteenth century. It is 45 meters high and the top has a roof garden where, since some centuries, grow beautiful trees. The Torre delle Ore is an irresistible attraction for all European fans of mechanisms to measure time. It was installed in 1754 by some watchmakers and still works hand-wound today. Also in this case you will arrive after 207 wooden steps and the view is spectacular.

Where: Via S. Andrea
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
When: January and February from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm . March from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm . April and May from 9.30 am to 6.3 pm 0. From June to September from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm . October from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Guinigi Tower: November and December (NOT 25/12) from 9.30 am to 4.30 om
Torre delle Ore: Closed in November and December.
Ticket: € 3.50 full ticket. € 2.50 for groups of 20 persons-with a guide, for over sixty and children under 10 years. € 5.00 unique ticket for Torre Guinigi and Torre delle Ore. € 3.00 unique ticket for Guinigi Tower and orredelle Ore for groups of 20 persons-with a guide, for over sixty and children under 10 years.

National Museum of Palazzo Mansi in Lucca

In this beautiful mansion of the 1600 that belonged to the rich Mansi family, there are the most important collection of paintings of Lucca. After a passage into the different apartments richly frescoed ( major work of Van Dyck: Holy Family) there is the gallery with 83 works donated to the city in 1847 by Grand Duke Peter Leopold II after the annexation of Lucca to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

In the first room there are large paintings including “Continence of Scipio” by Domenico Beccafumi and “The Triumph of David” by Rutilio Manetti. The two major works are “The Triumph of Galatea“ by Pietro Testa, and “San Sebastian” by Luca Giordano.

The second room is called the ‘Medici’ because there are many portraits of the Tuscan family. Among them “The portrait of the young of Pontormo” representing Alessandro de Medici, followed by “Don Garzia Medici child” and “Cosimo I” by Bronzino.

In the third room are collected small paintings with religious themes: the “Portrait of a Man” by Tintoretto and the” Madonna and Child” by Francis Avanzi, the sixteenth-century copy of the Madonna and Child with St. Anne and John by Andrea del Sarto.

In the fourth and last hall there are some Flemish and French paintings.

Where: Via Galli Tassi 43. From the church of San Michele proceeding in Via San Paolino.
How to get there: by feet
When: Tuesday to Saturday 8:30 am to 7:30 pm , last admission 7:00 pm ; Sundays and holidays. Weekday Monday closed.
Never: 1st January, 1st May, 25th December.
Ticket: full ticket € 4,00 – reduced ticket 2,00

Piazza Napoleone in Lucca

Piazza Napoleone is the largest square in Lucca, but it is not as beautiful as the small and harmonious Amphitheatre Square. It was built on the remains of Augusta fortress and then the Citadel of Lucca, commissioned by Paul Guinigi.

It is named after Elisa Bonaparte, sister of the French Emperor, who ruled from 1806 the Principality of Lucca. She asked to the architect Lazzarini to create an open space that would enhance the Palazzo Ducale. The intervention led to the destruction of old houses, the salt warehouses and the Church of San Pietro Maggiore. At thecenter of the square it was supposed to be a large statue of Napoleon, but after the fall of the emperor, it was replaced by Maria Luisa of Bourbon. Today the Palazzo Ducale houses the Province of Lucca and the square is an area with shops, cafés and restaurants, a place where people can meet. If you are in Lucca in July, do not miss the magical nights of the Summer Festival which takes place in this square.

Lucca Surroundings

Lucca is located in a stunning natural landscape that we suggest you to enjoy during your stay in the Tuscan town. A few minutes from the center there is the river park of the river Serchio where you can walk, go canoeing, hiking or having even a simple picnic.

Not far away you canfind the beautiful towns of Montecarlo, Capannori, Altopascio, famous for the bread. Along the river Serchio you can visit one of the most important tourist attractions of the area: the Devil’s Bridge, an extraordinary example of architecture that made people think of the evil construction. A little bit faraway there is the Gargagna: rich in rivers, lakes, woods and hills; it is called the “Green Island” of Tuscany. Do not miss a few hours in Castelnuovo and its monuments.

Things to eat in Lucca

The cuisine of Lucca is made of Tuscan traditions. Poor, genuine, almost always with products of the area.

Among the first dishes: hullead wheat soup made with beans and ham, the garmugia, with onions, peas, artichokes, asparagus, meat, bacon, oil and toasted croutons.

Among the first you should try also the farinata, the tordelli (fresh pasta), the matuffi (soft polenta) and vegetables. Among the second course: rabbit stew, roasted codfish with chickpeas and, above all, the rovelline, beef slices breaded and fried. Even the desserts are closely linked to the territory: buccellato, typical donut with raisins and anise. Among other sweets, we remember the chestnut cake (made with chestnut flour, with walnuts, pine nuts, orange peel, raisins, rosemary and olive oil), the necci (crepes made with chestnut flour and ricotta). The Zuppalucchese is a variant of buccellato softened with vin santo, spiced wine and strawberries with cream. Don’t miss the chocolate cake with a boiled rice filling, dark chocolate, cocoa, candied fruit, pine nuts, raisins, nutmeg, eggs.

Where to sleep in Lucca

Lucca is a city with a strong tourist attraction, so it is better to book in advance your stay.

The average price of a 3-star hotel within the walls of Lucca start from 70 € in high season (from April). During some events such as the Summer Festival, Comics and Games and the Puccini Festival, it might be hard to find some rooms with a cheaper price.

Bordeaux cities of art

10 things to do and see in Bordeaux

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 21 Dicembre 2016

Bordeaux has a name linked to “wine” par excellence in the world, the production of which explains a large part of the wealth of this great French city. All monuments, therefore, are more or less related to trade of wine: Place de la Bourse, with the palace where prices used to be negotiated

The old warehouses on the Garonne river, now extraordinarily transformed into places of leisure. But with wine money are explained the two striking churches too, St André and Saint Michel, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts

Recently, Bordeaux has introduced significant changes to its urban spaces, without destroying its architectural identity, indeed saving it from a certain decadence. Thanks to low cost flights, is now one of the most attractive destinations in Europe.

In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see absolutely during your holiday in Bordeaux.

If you are looking for a hotel in Bordeaux, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 150 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux

The charm of this square comes from the Miroird’Eau, the reflecting pool located close to the bank of the Garonne. The 2 cm of water which locals call pataugeoire (little pool) can be converted into a fog high 2 meters.

When the sky is dark or at night, in the waters are reflected the symmetrical shapes of the two main buildings of the square: the Chamber of Commerce, from which the square is named, and the Customs Museum, which tells the ancient history of trade in Bordeaux. Needless to say, it is the most touristic place and also the most photographed one. In summer it becomes a fun way to cool off your feet, especially loved by children. Place de la Bourse was built in 1749 and took the name of Place Royale because it was a tribute to the King of France by Bordeaux people.

40 years later, the revolutionaries threw the statue of the King off his horse and renamed it Freedom Square. After several changes, in 1869, it became the Place de la Bourse. At the centerthere is a beautiful fountain with three female figures: according to some people they are the Garonne, the Dordogne and the Gironde rivers; according others they represent three graces, according to others, again, three French princesses. You can choose.

Cathédrale St-André in Bordeaux

The most important religious monument of Bordeaux, the Cathedral, was built in 1096 by Pope Urban II.

The beauty of this building is made by the majesty (124 meters in length by 23 in height) and, especially, the five chapels. For some historical reasons, the main façade of the Cathedral is Romanesque, so very simple, while the most beautiful façade is the north one with the Royal portal decorated with bas-reliefs representing the Last Supper, Ascension and the Triumph of the Redeemer. On this side of the Cathedral there are two twin towers 81 meters high. The interior of the cathedral is of great interest, excluding the chorus. But it has an historical explanation: Geoffrey Loroux (1135-1158), bishop of Bordeaux, wanted it. He established the strictAugustinian rule while the other parts are characterisedby the different historical eras during which they were modified. In the Cathedral Square stands the tall bell tower dedicated to Pey-Berland, the archbishop of Bordeaux, who founded the first university in the city around 1440. At the top, facing the Medoc do Pey-Berland, there is the statue of the Madonna of Aquitaine.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet or by subway
When: every day from 10 am to 12 pm (Monday excluded) and from 2 to 6 pm
Ticket: free entrance

Basilique Saint Michel in Bordeaux

With its 114 meters high, the bell tower of Saint Michel Church is perhaps the highest one of France. As for the church of St. Andrew, also in this case the tower is not linked to church, very rare feature in Europe.

At the base of the tower there is a crypt which, over the centuries, has been used as an ossuary. When it was decided to remove the cemetery, they found thousands of mummified bodies which until 1979 were housed in the crypt. The church was started in 1350 and continued for more than three centuries in gothic style. The interior has three naves with 17 chapels dedicated to confraternities or corporations. One of the most visited chapels is San Giacomo, a destination for pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela.

Where: Place Canteloup, old town centre
How to get there: by feet or Metro Capitol
When: every day 10 am – 12 pm, 1 – 6 pm. Never 25 December and 1^st January
Ticket:
Church: free entrance, Bell tower : € 5

Musée des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux

Traveling around Europe is not always possible to enjoy, for only € 4, such a rich museum of works of art.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts, in fact, hosts one of the most important collections of European art and is, along with the Louvre, one of the most important museums of France. The collection covers the period from 1400 to 1900 with works by Tiziano, Veronese, Vasari, Luca Giordano, Rubens, Van Dyck, and a rich collection of 1800 with works by Renoir, Matisse, Corot, Delacroix, and some works of artists in 1900 including Picasso and Kokoschka.

Where: Cours d’Albret by from Piazza dellaBorsa towards the Palace of Justice
How to get there: by feet
When: every day excluded Tuesday and public holidays
Ticket: € 4

Grosse Cloche in Bordeaux

The door of Grosse-Cloche, the great bell, is probably the symbol of Bordeaux. It was built in the fifteenth century on the ruins of the port of Saint Eligio, because from here passed the pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela.

The Grosse-Cloche, together with the Cailhau Porte, is one of the most important civic monuments of the middle ages in Bordeaux. The door is named after the great bell fused in 1775 which is located in the large arch. At the foot of the door there is the small church of St Eligius (xv century) and portal with arches. Used for centuries to announce whatever happened in the city, today the bell sound only once a year: on november 11, armistice day which commemorates the end of II World War.

La Garonne in Bordeaux

It is no coincidence that in 2007 Unesco decided to declare world heritage the Garonne’s bank.

It is one of the most beautifuldocks in the world, where the old red brick buildings have been completely restored and transformed into places of culture, sports and entertainment. Walks, parks, gardens, bike paths, shops, cafés and restaurants have changed the lifestyle of Bordeaux. A few meters from the city centeryou have the opportunity to walk, run, leave the kids at a playground, have a coffee in peace while admiring the ships going by on the river.

Rue Sainte Catherine in Bordeaux

It is impossible to visit Bordeaux without passing on Rue Sainte Catherine. This roadlong almost 1.2 kilometres, is considered the longest shopping street in Europe and crosses all the major streets of Bordeaux.

Rue Sainte Cath, as people ofBordeaux use to call it, is a paradise for shopping lovers. There are 3 km of shop windows that sell everything from large international chains to small shops with local products, cafés and restaurants. Saturday, during the sales and on Christmas day, the road becomes a kind wall of human beings who come in and out from 230 shops. Will it be an experience to do, or a nightmare? The choice is yours!

Le Grand Théâtre in Bordeaux

Stendhal, after a visit to Bordeaux, declares that the theatre was “the ugliest in the world”, but we think he was wrong!

The Grand Théâtre, in fact, is considered with the one of Paris and the TeatroRegio of Torino, one of the most beautiful theatres in the world.

Built by Victor Louis during the reign of Louis XVI, it was used several times as the National Assembly, when for many events Bordeuax replaced Paris as French Capital. Considered a neoclassical masterpiece, the exterior of the theatre has 12 corinthian columns topped by 12 statues representing the 9 arts. The interior is magnificent: gold, white and blue (the colors of the realm), with the frescoes that homage the arts, artists and the city of Bordeaux.

Where: Place del a Comédie
How to get there: by Tram B line Grand – Théâtre and C line Quiconces
When: During the Festival, from Monday to Saturday, 12 – 6 pm . During other periods on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2.30 to 5.30 pm
Ticket: € 5 or € 3

Things to eat in Bordeaux

Bordeaux is one of the gastronomic capitals of the world. Thanks the production of the wine, the city and the region built their fortune.

So the wine is pretty much everywhere in the city. But with which meal? The local cuisine is mixed with the ingredients of the french countryside, the river and the nearby atlantic ocean. So among the dishes stand out the lamproie à la bordelaise (leeks, red wine), a kind of eel of the Garonne and the entrecote à la bordelaise (onion and red wine). Gironde caviar is famous all over the world, as well as the oysters of the Bassind’Arcachon that open every lunch or dinner. From the atlantic there is the salmon, lobster and scampi. Don’t miss the foie gras, duck, local meats, mushrooms and truffles and much, much more. Among the desserts they deserve a reward the traditional macaron but, above all, the canalè (milk, vanilla, sugar, flour, caramel, calories!) And the bouchon (almond paste and raisins).

Where to sleep in Bordeaux

You will be spoilt for choice to sleep in Bordeaux. The city, in fact, has a great offer of hotels, hostels and apartments with “french prices” but still acceptable.

In the historic center, where there are all the main monuments, prices of 3 star hotels start from 60 euro per night. Many possibilities come from Chambred’Hote in the countryside, just outside the city and among the Bordeaux vineyards. Although it is a little bit uncomfortable to reach the center, it is the ideal stay for those who want to discover this region of France.

cities of art Padua

10 things to do and see in Padua

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 19 Dicembre 2016

There is an Italian popular saying: “Venice is beautiful, Padua is her sister”. The comparison with Venice should suggest you what you will find once there. The Scrovegni Chapel by Giotto, the most important series of paintings in the world, would be enough to justify a visit to Padua.

And speaking of art, the Civic Museums has a nice collections of Venetian painters (Tiepolo, Tintoretto, Veronese) and in the Baptistery of the Duomo is perfectly preserved another extraordinary series of frescoes, the one of Giusto de’ Menabuoi.

You cannot forget the presence of the “Saint”: Sant’Antonio (St. Anthony), whose secular presence in the city is found not only in the relics preserved in the Basilica, but also in many desserts with his name.

In many town squares, in particular Piazza delleErbe, dellaFrutta e deiSignori, you can meet people of Padua (or Paduan) with a Sprit. Then there is an extraordinary gastronomy, the University and many other points of interest. In this page we recommend you 10 things to do and see during a holiday or a weekend in Padua.

If you are looking for a hotel in Padua, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 55 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Scrovegni Chapel in Padua

The “simple construction” as defined by Giotto, hosts the most important cycle of frescoes in the world.

You can admire the starry sky under which take place the episodes of the lives of Joachim and Anna (1-6), those of Mary’s life (7-13 panels) and the episodes of the life and death of Christ. Giotto completed it in only two years. In 1303 the work was commissioned by Enrico Scrovegni and in 1305 he had already finished the work of art. Henry wanted to build the chapel for his father, ReginaldoScrovegni, a banker and money lender, so famous and feared to be placed in hell by Dante’s Divine Comedy. With theScrovegni Chapel, Giotto began the revolution of modern painting.

Where: CivicMuseumEntrance, piazza Ermitni 8
When: every day from 9 am to 7 pm. 25^th March free entrance.
Never: Christmas, S. Stefano and 1^st January
Ticket: Full ticket € 13.00 (including booking fee amount EUR 1.00). The ticket also allows the visit of the Eremitani Museums. A reservation is required online or by calling the number 049 2010020.

Sant’Antonio da Padova Cathedral

Sant’ Antonio is called “The Saint”. This makes us understand not only the lovebut also the importance of the Basilica that houses the relics of Sant’ Antonio.

Destination of a pilgrimage reaching its top with the procession of 13 June, the Cathedral is worth a visit even for the presence of many masterpieces of Italian art. The first thing you will notice is the presence of different styles due to the changes over the centuries: the Romanesque façade, the Gothic apse with seven chapels, Byzantine domes, and Moorish bell towers. Inside you can admire the Chapel of Gattamelata and the one of San Giacomo frescoed in 1300 by Andriolo de Santi. Immediately after there is the Chapel of the Crucifixion and then the Sala del Capitolo, with a fragment of the Crucifixion attributed to Giotto. The “Treasury of the Basilica” with the relics of the Saint is at the center of the apse. On several display cases are visible the intact tongue and chin of Sant’Antonio . In the square in front of the basilica do not miss the equestrian monument of Gattamelata, Donatello’s bronze statue, an authentic revolution in art history: it was the first equestrian statue of big dimension without other architectural elements.

Where: Piazza del Santo. From Prato della Valle it’s 10 minutes by feet
When: Winter time: 6.20 am – 7 pm. Summer time: 6.20 am – 7.45 pm. On Saturday and Sunday closure at 7.45 after the last Mass
Ticket: free entrance

Piazza delle Erbe e della Frutta in Padua

Since many centuries, Piazza delleErbe, is the market place of Padua. In the past it had many different names: “Piazza dellaBiada”, “Piazza Del Vino”, as well as the steps of the imposing Palazzo Ragione were called “Scala delleErbe “because there were the lettuce sellers, or” Wine Scala “or” cale of manufactured irons.”

Actually also the names of the streets are about their commercial function: innkeepers, butchers, greengrocers. Behind Piazza delleErbe, there is the other commercial square of Padua: PiazzadellaFrutta where today are sold exclusively clothes.

The two squares are linked by the “Face of the Rope” or “Canton dellebusie”, a covered walkway called this way because here liars, failures, cheaters and debtors were hit on their back with a rope. The angle below the “Face of the Rope” is called the “Canton of busie” (corner of the lies) because here the traders held their negotiations.

Palazzo della Ragione in Padua

In Piazza delle Erbe there is the most impressive building ,a symbol of the city: Palazzo della Ragione (about 1208) the seat of the Tribunal during centuries, from which it takes its name.

The interior of the building is amazing: one open space 80 meters long and 27 wide, completely painted. It was more beautiful when there were frescoes by Giotto, destroyed by a fire in 1420. The cycle of paintings inside the palace is one of the largest in the world: zodiac elements, astrological, religious, animals, symbolize the activities of the city. The Hall houses the “Stone of Vituperio”, a black porphyry block on which insolvent debtors were forced to undress and beat three times on the buttocks before being forced to leave the city. In front of the Hall (next to the Town Hall) there is the “Palazzo delle Debite”, used as a prison to which people could access directly from the Palazzo della Ragione with a passage already destroyed.

When: Tuesday to Sunday
9:00 am to 7:00 pm from 1 February to 31 October
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm from 1 November to January 31
Never: All Mondays, Christmas, St. Stephen, New Year, I Maggio
Ticket: € 4

Prato della Valle in Padua

The Paduan are proud of Prato della Valle (88620 square meters). To understand how it is big, just think that it is formed by a central island, completely green, called Memmia Island in honor of the mayor who commissioned the work.

Around the island there is a canal of 1.5 km in circumference, surrounded by a double row of numbered statues (78) of famous people from the past. To reach the central island there are four cross-roads with bridges over the canal. Prato della Valle is set in a central place of the life of Padua: here there was a great Roman theatre and a circus for horse racing. Here were martyred two of the four patrons of the city, Santa Giustina and San Daniele. In the Middle Ages were organized fairs, rides and public holidays. Today in Prato della Valle people go for a walk, ride bicycles, take the summer suntan or go out at night. After years of neglect, the Square has finally regained its centrality in the life of Padua.

Civic Museums of Padua

In Piazza Eremitani, a few meters from the Scrovegni Chapel, there are the Civic Museums including the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Medieval and Modern art.

The Archaeological museum collects finds of paleo-Venetian age, pre-Roman and Roman and an Egyptian section with the finds of the extraordinary Paduan explorer Giovanni Battista Belzoni. The Museum of Medieval and Modern Art collects works of the great masters of Italian painting in the period from 1300 to 1800. The highlight of the collection is the Crucifix by Giotto, who used to be located on the altar of the ScrovegniChapel. There are many Venetian painters: Boccaccio Boccaccini with the “Madonna and Child”, Veronese, Tintoretto with the “Feast in the House of Simon” and “The Crucifixion”, Giambattista Tiepolo with “St. Joseph with the Child”, “Madonna” and “Christ in the Garden.”

When: every day from 09:00 am to 7:00 pm
Never: all Mondays, Christmas, St. Stephen, New Year, 1 May
Ticket: € 10 entrance for museum. € 12 entrance also at the Scrovegni Chapel.

Duomo and Baptistery of Padua

The Duomo dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, was built in 1522 and designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti.

The façade with three portals is incomplete while the interior is big and harmonious even if not particularly original. Much nicer is the Baptistery close to the Duomo with a cycle of frescoes considered the masterpiece of Giusto de‘ Menabuoi. As soon as you look up at the dome, you will feel observed by hundreds of eyes of angels and saints, and the severe look of Christ at the center of the scene. On the other walls are represented “Stories of Genesis”, “Prophets and Evangelists” and “Stories of Christ and John the Baptist”.

When: every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
Never: Christmas, Easter
Ticket: € 2,80

Palazzo del Bo and Anatomical Theatre in Padua

Since 1222 in the Palazzo del Bo (named after an old inn of a butcher) used to study Leon Battista Alberti, Galileo Galilei, Nicolaus Copernicus and many other famous personalities all over the world.

There are two main heritages of 800 years of culture: the Anatomical Theatre and the Chair of Galileo Galilei. The theatre, built by Hieronymus Fabricius in 1594, is a unique walnut theatre that allowed students to attend, from above, the autopsies on the bodies. In the Sala deiQuaranta, named for the forty portraits of international students, there is the wooden chair where Galileo taught mathematics and physics from 1592 to 1610.

When : guided tour on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:15 and 11:15 am ; Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 15:15 and at 16:15 pm
Never: Sunday
Ticket: € 5. Tickets on sale, at the ticket office in the Courtyard of the New Palazzo del B, until 15 minutes before the start of the visit.

Things to eat in Padua

The cuisine is based on vegetables that can be grown in home gardens and animals that are bred in the yard.

In many dishes you will find the Paduan Hen and all her close relatives: the goose, capon, duck, guinea hen, the Polverara hen, the rooster and the most common dwarf chickens. Traditional dishes:the bigoli (thick and roughspaghetti) and the risotto: not just rice and peas, but also with asparagus or radicchio. Bigoliare often cooked with the “Oca in Onto”, meat of goose with no bone, salt and preserved in its own fat, also used as a main dish. Still among the first courses: pasta and beans, soup with cabbage or other vegetables. The latter follows the traditional line: mixed boiled meat, ham goose breast, salami, the brawn, the sausage. Among the desserts: paduan fugassa (focaccia bread), the figassa (fig cake), the smegiassa (with raisins) and sbrisolona. Then there is a long pastry tradition linked to Sant’ Antonio with the Pan del Santo, the Dolce del Santo, Amarettoni and Merletti. Each meal begins with a very classic Spritz aperitif and ends with a grappa. For wine you just have to choose: you are in Veneto!

Where to sleep in Padua

Padua is visited by different types of tourism in almost all periods of the year: there are pilgrims visiting the Basilica of Sant’ Antonio, students and professors of the University, business people around the industrial area, and of course, tourists.

The amount of accommodation is not big, so it’s best to book in advance your stay. The average price of a 3-star hotel in the centerstarts from 70 €. During some events such as the Procession of Sant’ Antonio on June 13, it might be hard to find some rooms with a cheap price.

cities of art Genoa

10 things to do and see in Genoa

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 14 Dicembre 2016

“Lying at the bottom of its bay with the careless majesty of a queen … Genova meet the traveler” (A. Dumas, 1841). Too bad that often the travellers just stop there few hours in order to go visiting other towns of Liguria, such as the Cinque Terre and Portofino, loosing the opportunity to discover a city full of history, hidden treasures, picturesque corners.

The charm of this city between mountains and sea, past and present where peoples and cultures meet (in fact themedieval name of Genoa is Janua, that means “door” in Latin), enchanted writers, poets and songwriters with its hidden soul.

Although Genoa is known primarily for its aquarium, the ancient maritime republic has within its walls wonderful proofs of its glorious past but also modern works . So, walking around the city you can admire the noble palaces and ancient churches, visit museums, and understand that Genoa run out toward the future but is also superb custodian of a present past.

In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see during a holiday or a weekend in Genoa.

If you are looking for a hotel in Genoa, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 100 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Lighthouse of Genoa

This lighthouse is the proof of the seafaring tradition of Genoa. The lighthouse is commonly called the “Lantern” and has always been the symbol of Genoa.

77 meters high, the tower stands on the ruins of a historic hill of 40 meters that is located about 177 meters above sea level.

Born to signal to ships entering into the port but also to control its movement inside, the tower was built in the fourteenth century. In 1326 it was installed the first oil lantern and in 1340 was painted on the bottom of the tower the coat of arms. Its current appearance is the result of reconstruction work of the sixteenth century, and the lantern looks like then: a tower with two walkaways(each one with a terrace), a staircase of 720 steps, a lantern inside which there are the lighting elements.

Close to the tower there is the Lighthouse Museum, a multimedia museum dedicated to the city 800 meters far from the Ferry Terminal that runs along the old walls to the lighthouse.

Where: the harbour of Genoa
How to get there: by feet
When: the Lighthouse and the Museum are open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 2:30 to 6:30 pm
Ticket: full ticket € 6, reduced ticket € 4

The historic center of Genoa

The historiccenter of Genoa is the core of the Old Town, a place full of history and charm thatwas finally restored after years of neglect and decay.

To discover the ancient charm of Genoa you have to walk into the “carruggi” the alleys of medieval origin, and characteristic creuze(narrow streets built in in the walls), get lost among the beautiful streets with noble palaces and squares (Piazza delleErbe, Piazza San Donato) overlooked by ancient churches (San Donato, San Matteo).

It is no coincidence that a large part of the historic center has been declared a World Heritage Site. There are many historical sites such as the Castrum, which is the first settlement of the city dating back to the Roman period, the architectural heritage of the famous Palazzo Spinola and Palazzo Ducale, two public buildings. There are also many inns where you can taste typical dishes of the Genoese cuisine, popular bars, and old shops with their charm.

The Aquarium of Genoa

The Aquarium is the main tourist attraction of Genoa. It opened in 1992 in the ancient port, and it is the largest Italian aquarium and the second in Europe, after the one of Valencia.

The marine park has 12,000 specimens of 600 different species (not only marine species but also animals of rainforests and freshwater) in a spectacular setting that reproduces exactly their original natural habitat. The visit to the Aquarium is a funny and exciting experience as it offers the opportunity to learn about aquatic fauna “strolling” in the seas and in the most beautiful waters in the world. The path between the various pavilions of Aquarius go through more than 70 tanks where you can also observe sharks, seals, turtles, penguins, and outreach areas that complete the visual experience with scientific concepts. Recently it was inaugurated the new Cetacean Hall designed by Renzo Piano to see the cute marine mammals from an underwater perspective, thanks to the basement tunnel.

Where: on the Harbour of Genoa
How to get there: by Bus: line n ° 1, 12 and 13 with the last stop in front of the Aquarium; M: stop San Giorgio;
By Train: from Stazione Genova P. Principe walking for 15 minutes or by bus. 1
for Piazza Caricamento or by subway direction De Ferrari stop San Giorgio; from StazioneBrignole bus. 12 and 13 for Piazza Caricamento
When:
January and February: Monday – Friday . from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm (last entrance 6 pm ) Sat., Sun. and holidays from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm (last entrance 7:00pm);
March, April and May: Monday – Friday . from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm (last entrance 6 pm ) – Sat., Sun. and holidays from 8.45am to 8:30 pm (last entrance 7:00pm);
May and June: Monday – Friday . from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm (last entrance 6 pm ) – Sat., Sun. and holidays from 8.45am to 8:30 pm (last entrance 7:00pm);
July: every day from 8.30 am to 10.00 pm (last admission 8:30 pm );
August: every day from 8.30 am to 10.00 pm (last admission 8:30 pm );
September and October: Monday – Friday . from 9:30 am to 8 pm (last entrance 7 pm ) – Sat., Sun. and holidays from 8.45am to 9 pm (last entrance 7:00pm);
November:Monday – Friday. from 9:30 am to 8 pm (last entrance 6 pm ) – Sat., Sun. and holidays from 9:30 am to 9 pm (last entrance 7:00pm);
December: Monday – Friday . from 9:30 am to 9 pm (last entrance 7 pm ) – Sat., Sun. and holidays from 9:30 am to 9 pm (last entrance 7:00pm);
– 25 and December 26 from 9.30 to 9 pm (last entrance 19:00).
Ticket: Adults € 23.00; children (4-12 years) € 15.00; Children (0-3) free; reduced (military, over 65, disabled) € 20,00.

Via Garibaldi and Museums of Strada Nuova in Genoa

The beautiful Via Garibaldi, the “New Road” of mid-sixteenth century, also called the “Golden Path” for the splendour of its buildings (the beautiful Cambioso and CarregaCataldipalaces) hosts the unique museum dedicated to ancient art that connects the three historic mansions owned by the city: Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo DoriaTursi.

In the first building, the seventeenth-century residence of the Brignole– Sale family, you can admire the historical furnishings and art collections that the noble family picked up in more than two centuries.

There are works by Van Dyck, Veronese, Guercino, Strozzi, Dürer. Palazzo Bianco houses a fine collection of Italian paintings (do not miss the Ecce homo of Caravaggio), Flemish (Rubens, Van Dyck, Memling), Dutch (Steen), French (Vouet) and Spanish (Murillo) from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century . The aristocratic Palazzo Tursi, has a remarkable exhibition ofDecorative art (ceramics, tapestries) and the “Cannone”, the famous Paganini violin built in 1734 by Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri violin maker.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: Brignole Station take the 18, 18 / and get off in Piazza Portello; from Piazza Principe take the 34 (last stop) and get off at Piazza FontaneMarose. By: take Via Balbi, Piazza della Nunziata and Via Cairoli.
When: Tuesday to Friday 9 am 7 pm ; Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 7 pm ; Monday closed.
Ticket: Full € 9.00; reduced (over 65) € 7.00; free for EU citizens from 0 to 18 years old

Galata | Museum of the Sea in Genoa

Galata Museo del Mare testify the link of Genoa with the sea. It is the largest maritime museum in the Mediterranean dedicated to the history of navigation.

Through reproduction and exhibition of boats of all sizes and types, tools and charts, multimedia and interactive exhibits, the museum offers visitors a real journey through time studying sailors, passengers and migrants’ life .

The journey begins on the ground floor from the age of rowing ships, continues on the first and second floor on the route of sailing ships and revolutionary geographical explorations and ends on the third floor dedicated to the trip to America. Do not miss the Mirador panoramic terrace to enjoy a splendid view of the harbor and the city.

Where: the Harbour
How to get there: by Train: Genova P. Principe (5 minutes walk), buses 2, 5, 9 Caricamento direction; Subway: Arrival Darsena station; Bus: from Railway Station Brignole buses 12, 13, 15 Loading direction.
When: From March to October: Mon – Sun from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm (last entrance 6 pm); From November to February: Tues – Fri. from 10:00 am to 6 pm (last entrance 4:30 pm); Sat., Sun. and holidays from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm (last admission 6 pm); Monday closed.
Ticket: Adults € 12.00; children (4-12 years) € 7.00; Children (0-3 years) free; reduced (over 65, military, disabled) € 10.00.

San Lorenzo’s Cathedral in Genoa

The majestic and solemn San Lorenzo ‘s Cathedral was built from the ninth century and was rebuilt until the sixteenth century, which explains the many different architectural styles both outside and inside. In 1118 the church was consecrated by Pope Gelasius II.

The cathedral welcomes the visitor with its beautiful Gothic façade in Genoa style (XIII century) with French influence as shown by the portal and central rose window. The side walls with the two portals date back the Romanesque period while the dome (designed by GaleazzoAlessi) and the bell tower are of the sixteenth century. The interior is divided into three naves, it has many sculptures and paintings. Along the left aisle there is the chapel of St. John the Baptist where are preserved the bones of San Lorenzo; down the right aisle there is instead to the Museum of the Cathedral Treasury which houses masterpieces of religious art including the Sacred Basin, the Ark of the ashes of St. John the Baptist and other objects related to the worship of patron of the city.

Where: old town centre. San Lorenzo square
How to get there: by feet
When: Cathedral: daily from 8 am to 12 am and from 3 – 7 pm. Museum: Monday to Saturday from 9 to 12 am and from 3 to 6 pm.
Ticket: Full € 6.00; reduced € 4.50; Children (0-5 years old) free admission

The Rolli Palaces in Genoa

The Rolli Palaces are beautiful residences of the noble family who between sixteenth and seventeenth centuries used to offer hospitality to famous people visiting the town.

Places (over one hundred) used for this purpose were included in some lists (Rolli of public Housings) that were updated regularly. According to their architectural value and their splendour, the palaces were divided into three categories (Bussoli) each for a specific category of visitor: first bussolo for cardinals, princes and viceroys; second bussolo for feudal lords and governors; third one for princes and ambassadors. Since 2006, forty-two of these prestigious buildings have been recognized by UNESCO “World Heritage”. A walk through the streets Balbi, Garibaldi, Lomellini and San Luca will take you to discover these historic homes and a rich past that has made hospitality as a cultural model.

The Old Harbour of Genoa

Once this area was the center of trade activities of Genoa. After the conversion made by Renzo Piano for the Colombiadi (celebrations of the fifth centenary of the discovery of America) in 1992, the Piazza di Genova on the Mediterraneanohas become a place dedicated to tourism.

Here you can find: the Aquarium, a great attraction for visitors of all ages; the Biosphere, the bubble of steel and glass on the water designed by Piano that reproduces inside a tropical setting with a wide variety of tropical plants, but also butterflies and small animals (iguanas, birds); Galata, the largest and most innovative maritime museum in the Mediterranean; Bigo by Renzo Piano, the metal structure resembling a crane that stands out on the sea with panoramic lift. The transformation of these places didn’t happen, however, just with the creation of modern works but also bringing back to life the old port buildings, including the old cotton warehouses that now houses cultural facilities such as the Children’s City, the largest space in Italy dedicated to the game, science and technology, for children between 2 and 12 years of age.

Things to eat in Genoa

First of all we have to suggest you pasta with pesto, and then, a good focaccia bread.

That’s right, the specialties of Genoa are these two. The focaccia is prepared in many ways: with olives, onion, cheese, sage and so on. Also filled pasta is a typical product of the city such as ravioli and traditional pansotti, stuffed with eggs, beets and ricotta cheese. Among the first dishes there is tortaPasqualina, a puff pastry stuffed with artichokes or cooked beets, zucchini, cheese and eggs. Very yummy are vegetable soup and Genovese porridge, a thin cake made of chickpea flour mixed with water, oil and salt and then baked in a wood oven.

In a seaside town like Genoa the fish is always available like stockfish alla Genovese made with cod, squid, anchovies and sardines. Among the most special dishes there is capponmagro, a rich and elaborate salad that has a fund of biscuits flavored with garlic, vinegar and salt, with fish, boiled eggs, boiled vegetables, artichokes, shrimp and tuna. To finish your lunch you have to taste the Genoese Christmas sweet bread, a sort of panettone filled with raisins, apple fritters, and chestnut cake.

Where to sleep in Genoa

Genoa has an excellent tourist accommodation with more than 500 facilities between hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and apartments. Excluding busy periods, such as Spring, it is not difficult to find accommodation that suits your pockets.

Prices are not low, and start from minimum of 70 € per night, double room . Of course, the prices go up to hotel in the centre and close to major attractions, especially the Aquarium. A hotel in the less touristic area costs less but also forces you to move for one hour to reach the centre.

cities of art Seville

10 things to do and see in Seville

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 14 Novembre 2016

Seville is flamenco, tapas, bullfights, parties, the essence of Spain. You can discover the old neighbors with their narrow streets, quiet parks and friendly people especially during the holidays for which the Andalusian capital is famous. Sevilla has an architectural heritage of great value, the Cathedral, the Giralda and the Reales Alcazares are some examples, but we suggest you to visit the city in the mid seasons, to avoid the hot weather
City life, especially in summer, is focused around the Guadalquivir River, now the only river harbour in Spain, which divides the city in two parts ; while in winter the citizens meet friends in taverns. At any time of year, Seville is always alive. To enjoy the fun, not to mention the beauty of the city, we suggest you 10 things not to be missed during a holiday in Seville.

If you are looking for a hotel in Seville, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 280 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Reales Alcazares in Seville

The Reales Alcazares (Royal Palaces) are the most impressive monuments of Seville. Feature of these buildings is the mixture of styles and decorations, from the Islamic to Neoclassical style.

The Alcazar, an ancient Arab fortress, is a great example of Mudejar architecture with living rooms, patios and gardens that create a great combination of colors. Near the Alcazar stands the Palace of Charles V, which houses a major collection of tapestries depicting the conquest of Tunis by the king. From the Palace you can directly go to the Gardens, where the Arabic style is combined to the Renaissance shapes with the Romanesque ones.

Where: Patio de Banderas, old town centre
How to get there:
Metro Line 1: Puerta de Jerez
Bus n° 1, 5, C3, C4, 21, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 40, 41 e 42
When – Hours:
From October 1 to March 31: Monday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm . From April 1 to September 30: Monday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm
Never: 1 and 6 January, Good Friday and 25 December
Tickets: € 9,50

Seville Cathedral

The Gothic and the Renaissance style come together in the most impressive monument of the Christian world, after St. Peter’s Basilica: the Cathedral de Santa Maria in Seville.

It consists of five internal naves, Gothic style, and two chapels, the Royal Chapel and the Main Chapel. The first one is dominated by a Renaissance dome; the second one contains paintings depicting scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin. The Cathedral is built in the place where before stood the Mayor Mosque, demolished in the fifteenth century. It only keep the Giralda of the old and a few remnants of the Patio de los Narajos.

Where: Av. de la Constitución
How to get there: Tram T1, stop at the Archivo de Indias station
When – Hours: From October 1 to March 31: Monday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm. From April 1 to September 30: Monday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm
Tickets: € 7. Sundays free entrance

The Giralda in Seville

La Giralda, the emblem of the Andalusian capital, is the bell tower of the Cathedral: a 96 meters high monument that reflects the Almohads style: a huge monument and a refined simplicity.

Giralda owes its name to the statue of the Faith (so called Giraldillo) that dominates and that turns on itself according to the wind direction. From inside the Cathedral you can access to a platform, placed at the top of the tower, from which you can admire the city from above.

Where: Av. de la Constitución
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours:
Monday: 11:00 am to 3:30 pm; Tuesday to Saturday: from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday: from 2:30 to 6:00 pm.
Tickets: Full price: € 9
Reduced: € 4 (retired people and students up to 25 years)
Free: 0-14 years

The Triana district in Seville

The western bank of the Guadalquivir River hosts the characteristic neighbourhood of Triana, where the ancient and the modern city coexist . Triana was originally a neighbourhood of sailors, labourers, industrial and potters and, even today, visiting the neighbourhood, you can buy pottery made by craftsmen in the workshops. The riverfront, however, that goes from San Telmo to puente de Isabel II, is a concentration of trendy bars and restaurants that offer, in the evening, a good opportunity of entertainment. Another feature of Triana is the covered market where you can admire the remains of the Arab and Roman civilizations.

The Barrio de San Bartolome in Seville

You will notice Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance style into the elements of the Barrio de San Bartolomé. From the Church of Santa Maria la Blanca, to Plaza de San Francisco, from the Casa de Pilatos to the Church of Santa Magdalena, a mixture of different styles is the charm of this neighbourhood. San Bartolomé with its maze of narrow streets surrounded by the old low houses, is a solitary and quiet place, perfect for long walks. Although the Barrio is not a popular destination in Seville tourism, actually it preserves all the authenticity of the city.

Plaza de España in Seville

Plaza de España, within the Parque de Maria Luisa, was built in 1929 for the Iberian-American Exhibition, the project of the artist Gonzalez.

Decorated with bricks, ceramics and colored marble, the square has a particular symbolism: the semi-circular shape is the embrace of Spain to its new colonies; The 58 benches represent all the Spanish provinces; Palacio Español inside, majestic and proud, is the prestige of the Spanish world power; Plaza de España looks towards the river route to follow to reach America.

The House of Pilato in Seville

The House of Pilato is a masterpiece of Renaissance art of the fifteenth century, built by Don Fadrique and perhaps inspired by the home of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem.

Legend tells that the marquis has noticed that the distance between his house and the nearest church was the same as the one between the residence of Pontius Pilate and the place where Jesus was crucified. He decided to put on the way the 14 stations of the Via Crucis of which the first (trial of Jesus) coincided with his house. This is why it is believed that his palace was also the copy of the residence of Pilate. The building of 1533 is a successful mixture of Renaissance, Flamboyant Gothic and Mudejar style and has a beautiful patio with 24 arches with the busts of the Caesars, Roman statues and walls decorated in Mudejar style. The garden too is beautiful.

Nightlife in Seville

Both in winter and in summer, Seville is a city always ready. Every day of the year is the right day to be together, into the streets and have fun: this is the spirit of the people. In the colder months the fun is concentrated in the Barrio Santa Cruz , where the coffee bars and nightclubs are open until dawn. The Triana area, however, is the right one to spend more quiet evenings, listening to live music. In summer, the fun moves along the river where are set up coffee bars, kiosks and outdoor discos.

Where: city center
How to get there: from city center by feet
Hours: from November to February: from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 1.30 to 4.00 pm on weekdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm on holidays. from March to October: from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays, from 1.00 to 5.30 pm on holidays.
Tickets: free entrance

Things to eat in Seville

The Sevillian cuisine offers fresh products both from land and sea. Fish is the main element of the table, cooked with care and almost always fried; for meat lovers, however, there are tasty dishes such as goose or the Sevillian fried lamb. The kitchen in Seville is enhanced by appropriate use of spices, as it is by good Arab tradition. Home of tapas, the area of Triana and La Macarena are the perfect places to taste this dish with good beer or sangria. You will find also a rich offer of sweets, including torrijas, borrachuelos and alfajores.

Where to sleep in Seville

It is a very popular holiday destination, a must tour in Andalusia, and it has excellent capacity.

Depending on the type of accommodation and the budget you want to spend, the city has available hotels, hostels, apartments or rooms both economic and extra luxury.
When booking your holiday in Seville, remember that autumn and spring are the high season, but the Andalusian capital is beautiful to visit and to live the whole year .
If you are looking for a hotel in Seville, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 280 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art San Gimignano

10 things to do and see in San Gimignano

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 14 Novembre 2016

In 1282 the government of San Gimignano promulgated a law in order to tear down old houses only to build more beautiful ones. For this, in a century, San Gimignano would reach its splendour and then decline, which saved her from the radical changes. In the past there were 72 towers (one for each rich family) while today there are only 13. San Gimignano has a kind of tourism hit and run, with groups coming to town, cross it quickly, and then depart. But it is a little jewel that should be discovered slowly, so it’s better to do it during the low season and out of the weekend.

If you are looking for a hotel in San Gimignano, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 130 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

San Gimignano Cathedral

People who comes from Florence, Pisa and Siena, and visit the Cathedral of San Gimignano, will not be impressed by it.

The simplicity of the Romanesque façade of the twelfth century, in fact, does not anticipate the inner wonders.
Divided into three naves, the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta preserves some masterpieces on walls. On top of the façade there is the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian by Benozzo Gozzoli while in the central part the extraordinary Last Judgement by Taddeo di Bartolo. Along the right wall there are the Stories of the New Testament, and on the left stories from the Old Testament by Bartolo di Fredi. The transept hides two other treasures: the polychrome wooden crucifix of 1200 and the Chapel of Santa Fina (see point 2)

Where: in the square of the Cathedral
How to get there: by feet in the old town centre
When – Hours:
January 1 to January 15 / February 1 to March 31 / November 1 to November 15 / December 1 to December 31
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 am to 4:40 pm
Sundays and religious holidays: 12:30 to 4:40 pm
April 1 to October 31
Monday to Friday: 10:00 am to 7:10 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am to 5:10 pm
Sundays and religious holidays: 12:30 to 7:10 pm
Closed for tourist visits:
16 November to 30 November / January 16 to January 30 / December 25 / January 1/31 January / carnival Sundays / 12 March / first Sunday of August.
Tickets: Church and Chapel of Santa Fina € 3.50

The Chapel of Santa Fina in San Gimignano

Santa Fina from San Gimignano had not an easy life. After the death of his mother , she decided to pray on a wooden board until death.

This is the story that you will find in the frescoes of the Ghirlandaio in the homonymous chapel of the cathedral. This scene is located on the right wall, and portrays the saint stretched out, with the two nurses and San Gregorio in heaven who tells her martyrdom: the mouse under the table refers to the fact that Santa Fina died eaten by rats and worms. On the left wall are painted the Funeral of St. Fina and three miracles that happened : the old nurse Beldia was set free from paralysis. The weeping child who touches the feet of the holy regained his sight. The bells of all the towers of San Gimignano were played by the angels, as indicated by the flying angel on the highest tower

Where: see info on point 1

Piazza del Duomo in San Gimignano

If the Duomo is the religious symbol of San Gimignano, the Palazzo del Popolo represents his civic symbol.

Together, a few meters from each other, they form the unique architectural group of the Cathedral Square.
The Town Hall (or Podesta) is located on the left of the square, between the Torre Grossa and the Loggia del Comune. The latter housed the government authorities during public ceremonies and was built by expropriating the houses to the family of Ardinghelli of the Ghibellines. The palace now houses the Museo Civico di San Gimignano, that you will find in paragraph 4. In fact this is the Palazzo Nuovo del Podesta, where he moved the city government in 1337. Until then, the mayor lived near old Palace Podesta recognized by the massive “Torre Rognosa” and the beautiful Torre Chigi. On the right of the square there are the two “Towers of the Salvucci” rich Guelph merchants who became rich through usury. The two towers competed with those of Ardinghelli who were just opposite.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet

Civic Museum of San Gimignano

The Civic Museum of San Gimignano, housed in the Palazzo del Popolo, announces its beauty since the courtyard, with a beautiful tank dated back to 1361 and frescoes by Sodoma (Sant’Ivo that does justice).

After the staircase, you will enter into the Hall of Dante, so named in honor of the poet who stayed in San Gimignano in 1300 to help the cause of a big Guelph association. The hall is decorated by the wonderful Majesty of Lippo Memmi (1317), inspired by the one painted by Simone Martini in the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena. After the Secret Meetings of the room, from which starts the staircase of the Torre Grossa (exceptional view over the rooftops), you will arrive to the gallery with works by Pinturicchio, Benozzo Gozzoli, Filippino Lippi.

Where: Piazza del Duomo
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours:
1 April to 30 September: 9:30 am to 7:00 pm 1 October to 31 March: 11:00 am to 5:30 pm on December 25 (closed) 1 January: 12:30 to 5:30 pm
Tickets: Full: € 5.00 Reduced: € 4.00

Piazza della Cisterna in San Gimignano

Piazza della Cisterna is a must see. It is located on the top of the hill on which the Tuscan town is built, so it’s a good place to rest after the terrible climb!

It takes its name from the octagonal well located in the center, and was built by the will of the Podesta Guccio of Malavolti, whose coat of arms (a stair) is carved on the stone. It is certainly the best piazza in San Gimignano and one of the most beautiful in Tuscany. If Piazza del Duomo is the political and religious center, Piazza della Cisterna is the commercial square because here were the workshops and the market and the carousels. Looking toward via Castello there are Tortoli Palace, the Pucci tower, Albergo della Cisterna, the Ridolfi palace, towers and houses of the Becci and Cugnanesi, Pellari Palace and the Palace Ardinghelli with the two Towers. Across the square there is the Devil’s Tower, so called because it is said that the owner, back from a long journey, found the town higher. Who could have done this during his absence? The devil for sure! Don’t miss an ice cream from Gelateria Dondoli, famous and award-winning worldwide.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet

Torture Museum in San Gimignano

If you want to discover the endless ways men invented to torture other men and you are not easily sensitive, the Torture Museum is a must see
Actually they are two small museums:

the first, as you enter into the village, exhibits on three floors a full path of methods of torture around the world, with tools, photos and detailed explanations and also some butchered dummy. The other museum is a little bit higher and has as its theme the death penalty. The cost of the ticket (€ 10) is a little bit too much, but you pay for the uniqueness of the path.

Where: Porta San Giovanni, before Piazza della Cisterna
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: every day from 10 am to 7 pm (winter time only Saturday and Sunday
Tickets: € 10.00; reduced € 7.00; groups € 5.00. Valid ticket for free admission to the Museum of the Death Penalty

Sant'Agostino Church in San Gimignano

Sant’Agostino Church has many jewels to be discovered.
You will visit the beautiful Chapel of San Bartolo with the altar by Benedetto da Maiano.

The vault of the church was decorated with frescoes by Sebastiano Mainardi and depicts the doctors of the Church (Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome and Gregory) while the tiled floor is the work of Andrea della Robbia. The two masterpieces of the church are the Coronation of Maria del Pollaiolo, on the high altar and the Stories of the Life of St. Augustine, frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli which is located in the choir chapel.

Where: Porta San Matteo
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: November 1 to March 31: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm , 3:00 to 6:00 p.m
April 1 to October 31: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm , 3:00 to 7:00 p.m
Tickets: free entrance

Rocca di Montestaffoli in San Gimignano

From the Cathedral there is a small road leading to the top of Montestaffoli, built to defend San Gimignano by Siena attacks after the submission to Florence.

There are few remains of the ancient fortress but it is worth climbing this green space to enjoy breath-taking views of San Gimignano and Valdelsa. The only tower left is the favourite point for enjoying the view. The Montestaffoli fortress is now a place of cultural events and festivals, in particular the Giostra dei Bastoni which takes place in the third weekend of June.

Things to eat in San Gimignano

Vernaccia and Saffron are the two typical products of San Gimignano, famous all over the world.

The Saffron is called the yellow gold, and has repeatedly saved San Gimignano because used as currency to pay off debts incurred during the ancient wars with Siena and Florence.
You can understand the value of this food considering the amount of flowers needed to make just one pound of saffron: 150,000! Vernaccia, white wine, dry and harmonious, is produced in San Gimignano and was particularly appreciated by Dante, Boccaccio, Ludovico il Moro and Lorenzo the Magnificent. Among the typical local dishes, you will find the classic Tuscan crostini with chicken liver, platters of salami and pecorino cheese, pasta with wild boar.

Where to sleep in San Gimignano

Crowded tourist destination, beloved around the world, San Gimignano welcome people with a good tourist accommodation.

The rooms in the old town centre are few and expensive, while many more choices come from the agritourism outside the walls and in the Siena countryside. Tuscany is a popular destination especially in spring, autumn and during the holidays, so if you plan to visit the city during this time is better to book in advance. In low and mid-season, however, there are no availability problems. A room in a cottage starts from 50 Euros per night.
If you are looking for a hotel in San Gimignano, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 130 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Mantua

10 things to do and see in Mantua

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 14 Novembre 2016

You probably don’t know that Mantua sits beside three lakes fed by the river Mincio. It is a water city in the middle of the Po Valley, a unique urban landscape. The best way to start your tour of the city is from San Giorgio bridge and then you can visit slowly the beauties of this jewel of Italian art and architecture.
We suggest you to do it in July or August, when thousands of lotus flowers bloom on the Lake Superior. It is unknown whether for a legend or a bad investment in “lotus flour”, but the fact is that in these two months the already magnificent view of Mantua turns into an oriental charm. You will be impressed again by the majesty of Palazzo Ducale and the sophistication of the Palazzo Te. Don’t miss the inevitable Piazza Sordello and Piazza Erbe with the Rotonda di San Lorenzo, the beautiful Casa del Mercante, the Astronomical Clock Tower and the Palazzo della Ragione. After the earthquake in May 2012 the Chamber of Mantegna in Castel San Giorgio is back open. One more reason to visit this beautiful city starting from 10 things to do and see absolutely in Mantua.

If you are looking for a hotel in Mantua, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 50 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Palazzo Ducale in Mantua

This Palace has about 500 rooms where the Gonzaga family lived and ruled from 1328 to 1707, until the Duke Ferdinand Karl was forced to the exile.

It is considered like the Palace in Paris, Vienna or Caserta, and it is the result of several buildings of the sixteenth-century located between the Lower Lake and Piazza Sordello. The original nucleus is made by the Palazzo del Capitano and the Magna Domus edified by Bonacolsi family. With the Gonzaga these buildings were integrated with new buildings to form the Old Court. Here, including courtyards, gardens, rooms, you cannot miss the frescoes of Pisanello. Then it was built St. George the Old Castle where you can visit the famous Room of the Mantegna (see point 4). In 1480 it was built the Domus Nova and the Doge’s Palace. Unfortunately the sumptuousness of the interior is very little: with the end of the family fortunes, the Gonzaga were forced to sell works and furnishings. The armies of Napoleon in Italy did the rest. Still visible, fortunately, the Gonzaga Family in Adoration of the Trinity by Rubens.

Where: Old town centre
How to get there: by feet in the old town centre
When – Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8:15 am to 7:15 pm
Never: Monday, January 1st, 25th December
Tickets: € 6,50. It is included into Mantua Museums Card (8 € 16 museums)

Palazzo Te in Mantua

The name comes from the name of an island called Teieto and not from the famous drink!

At the beginning of 1500 Francis Gonzaga built a small manor house to enjoy the tranquillity of the island. It was only in 1524, when Federico II Gonzaga began the construction of the Palazzo Te as we see it today. It was built by Romano, the best pupil of Raphael. If you want to know how he looked like, there is a portrait painted by Titian next to the ticket office! Palazzo Te is obviously gorgeous: from the façades, the rooms with an amazing sequence of symbols and references to the life of the Gonzaga family and the politics of the time. The artistic highlight is the Giants Room, a series of paintings with a great technical skills and innovative capacity. The fresco is about the moment when Jupiter punish the giants for their attempt to replace the gods. You will be suddenly put into the center of the battle, thanks to a technical perspective obtained by painting the entire wall, from floor to ceiling. Not to be missed.

Where: from Piazza Erbe, Via Roma and Via Principe Amedeo
When – Hours: Monday: 1:00 to 6:00 pm Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (last admission 5:30 pm)
Never: December 25
Tickets: € 10. It is included into Mantua Museums Card (8 € 16 museums)

Castel San Giorgio in Mantua

In Castel San Giorgio there is the most important art work of Mantua: the camera picta or Bridal Chamber painted by Mantegna from 1465 to 1474.

Thanks to a division of spaces and an exceptional use of perspective, Mantegna can transform the walls into a space in which the Gonzaga family’s characters enter into the scene.
In the first wall ( “the Court”), all the components of the Gonzaga family are portrayed, the Marquis Ludovico II and his wife Barbara of Brandenburg are surrounded by children and families. Ludovico, turned toward Raimondo dei Lupi, receives a letter and the small Paola gives an apple to his mother. Note the dog and the dwarf looking at the viewer.
The second scene (called “the meeting”) is a celebration of the family: here Ludovico II Gonzaga is with his son Francesco the Cardinal, holding the hand of his brother Ludovico, who gives his hand to nephew Sigismund. A curiosity: there are three signatures of Mantegna. The first over the door, the second right next door, on the pillar, where the artist depicts a kind of flower. The third, in the clouds on the left in the vault.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet in the old town centre
When – Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8:15 am to 7:15 pm
Never: Monday, January 1st, 25th December
Tickets: € 12,00

Sant'Andrea Church in Mantua

According to tradition, in the Church of Sant’Andrea it is guarded the earth with the blood of Christ that Longinus, the Roman centurion who pierced his side, picked up at the foot of the Cross.

It’s the Holy Grail that Longinus at his death (37 d.C) buried. For about 800 years nobody could find it and Sant’Andrea indicated where to find the first urn. With this discovery, Mantua became a bishop place and it was built a small church in honor of the Apostle Andrea. In 1048 it took place the second finding of relics and bones of St. Longinus. The church was finally restored permanently since 1472, by Leon Battista Alberti, even if the artist’s death have altered the Renaissance layout. The crypt preserves, with a sophisticated 12-key mechanism, the relics that are pulled out only on Good Friday.

Where: Piazza Mantegna close to Piazza Sordello and Piazza Delle Erbe.
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
When – Hours: 8 -12 am ; 3-7 pm
Tickets: free entrance

Rotonda di San Lorenzo in Mantova

The Rotonda di San Lorenzo is the oldest church in Mantova. Built in the image of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, it has a central plant with a gallery at the top.

The interior has a single nave, with the central part preceded by a space with eight columns. The church was completely painted, but the ups and downs that crossed over the centuries have left only remain of frescos, including a “San Lorenzo sulla graticola”. Used as a warehouse and then the courtyard, it was consecrated in 1926 and restored to its former splendour by demolishing the houses which obstructed the view.

Where: Piazza Erbe
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
When – Hours:
Monday – Friday
Summer time: 10 am – 1 pm; 3-7 pm
Winter time: 10 am – 1 pm; 2 – 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
Tickets: free entrance and free offer

Piazza Sordello, and Mantua Cathedral

The biggest and the most important square of Mantua is dedicated to the poet troubadour Sordello but for centuries it was called Piazza San Pietro. Small jewel of harmony, Piazza Sordello is the place where Mantua was founded and where the beauty of the Lombard city finds its best scenery.

The Cathedral is the most important church in the city, but not as beautiful as the nearby St. Andrew. Inside there were buried the most important members of the Gonzaga family. Next to the cathedral there is the tower located at the bottom of the square, while on the left you will find the Bishop’s Palace, Palazzo degli Uberti with impressive alley Bonacolsi, Palazzo Castiglioni and the Palazzo Acerbi with the Torre della Gabbia. On the other side of the square rises the suggestive Palazzo del Capitano and the Magna Domus, original nucleus of the Ducal Palace (see point 1).

Where: Piazza Canonica San pietro
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
When – Hours:
Monday – Friday
Summer time: 10 am – 1 pm; 3-7 pm
Winter time: 10 am – 1 pm; 2 – 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
Tickets: free entrance and free offer

Piazza delle Erbe in Mantova

As many Venetian and Lombard cities, the name of Piazza delle Erbe indicates the secular function of a commercial place of the city, in particular fruit and vegetables market.

Today there are shops under the arcades, the tables of bars and restaurants to characterize the commercial and tourist center of Mantova. Starting from the Rotonda of San Lorenzo (See point 5), on the right there is the Casa del Mercante and on left the Astronomical Clock Tower (1473) and the Palazzo della Ragione. The square is closed by the Palazzo del Podestà, also called “Palazzo del Broletto” (1227). On the back side there is a thirteenth-century statue of Virgil in the chair, that people of Mantua call more simply, “la vècia” (the old woman in dialect).

Sabbioneta near Mantua

In 2008 UNESCO decided to declare Mantua a World Heritage Site. The Lombard jewel, however, added the nearby town of Sabbioneta as an example of the ideal Renaissance city.

Built in just 30 years by order of Vespasiano Gonzaga, Sabbioneta is an outstanding example of a fortified city planned and built from nothing, at the same time military and residential city, town and rural court.
Several works of art make Sabbioneta a unique place: the Teatro all’Antica , the first built in Europe to perform this function; the Gallery of the Ancients, the longest in Italy after the one of the Carte geografiche in the Vatican and the Uffizi in Florence. Among other important buildings, Palazzo Ducale mansion of the Duke when he was in government and Palazzo Giardino a place of leisure and relax. Sabbioneta is a beautiful natural setting in the middle of the Po Valley, a few kilometres from the confluence of the Po with the Oglio.

Where: 33 km far from Mantua
How to get there:
by car SS 420 direction Casalmaggiore, Parma.
Train Mantova-Casalmaggiore
Bus Mantova Viadana

Things to eat in Mantua

“Sizeable” is the correct term for this cuisine and how could it be otherwise? We are in the middle of the Po Valley, whose fertility has been used for growing pumpkins that we find in many dishes, from the famous ravioli to desserts.

From Mantua to Veneto there are kilometres of paddies where it is grown the famous “Vialone Nano”, which finds its highest expression in the “Risotto alla pilota”, seasoned with pork sausage. “Cuisine of the people and principles”, is defined this cuisine, and it is no coincidence that in many recipes, the pig always appears as king of the table. Among the first course you cannot miss the bigoli, all fresh pasta with egg, agnolini (sort of tortellini). We are also in the land of Lambrusco wine, Parmigiano, Grana and mustards. Among the second course it reigns the braised, stew, boiled meat and sausage. The dessert par excellence is the sbrisolona, delicate cake made with almonds.

Where to sleep in Mantua

City of art but also the economic centre in the heart of Northern Italy, Mantua can welcome many tourists.

It is easy to find a place at a good price during the winter and autumn, but you have to book in advance if you want to visit the city during the spring or summer.
The prices start from 70 € per night for a good 3 star hotel in the old town center. In residence or in hotels away from the center you can also find rooms starting from 40 € per night in a double including breakfast.
If you are looking for a hotel in Mantua, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 50 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com.

cities of art Ischia

10 things to do and see in Ischia

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 14 Novembre 2016

Ischia was an unknown tourist destination to most Italians in 1951 when Angelo Rizzoli, publisher and filmmaker, arrived in Ischia with his yacht. During that period the islanders used to live thanks to fishing and agriculture and only a few Neapolitans used to go there on holidays in summer. In less than 10 years Rizzoli transformed Ischia into an international destination: he invited Hollywood and Italian stars, painters, musicians. He built hotels, spas, a hospital and even a soccer field.
With its magazines he advertised the Ischia hotels all over the world and with the studio he made movies that turned the island into a loved place all around the world. A must for the “important people” in the 50s and ’60: Richard Burton, Liz Taylor, Ava Gardner, Charlie Chaplin, the Dukes of Windsor, were enchanted. Since then, the “Green Island” is a destinatin that knows no crisis and welcome tourists mainly attracted by the hot springs and the clear sea.
Here you will find 10 things to do and see if you decide to spend your holiday in Ischia.

If you are looking for a hotel in Ischia, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 200 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Aragonese Castle in Ischia

The shape of the Aragonese Castle is a message for those arriving by sea: Ischia is near.

The massive symbol of the island, a must see on the green island, is connected to the mainland by a bridge rebuilt several times over the centuries because sometimes the sea takes him away. In 474 BC the Greeks took refuge on this island to defend against enemies but was Alfonso of Aragon, in 1441, to turn it into a fortified citadel.
Instead of the lift, you can choose to get to the top through the tunnel in the rock and you will notice the vents in the roof built to launch boiling oil and stones against enemies
Today the castle must only defend itself from the tourists that climb to visit the Church of the Assumption with the crypt, the Convent of the Poor Clares and especially the views of the Gulf of Naples.

Where: Ischia Ponte
How to get there: Bus line 7 and line 8 then crossed by feet from Ischia Ponte.
When – Hours: Everyday 9.30 am – 7 pm
Tickets: € 10

The thermal Gardens in Ischia

The Romans, who appreciated the spa treatments, were enjoying the thermal waters of Ischia when the rest of the world was still living in a state of barbarism.

Today you can appreciate them with a visit to one of the many parks scattered around the island, beautiful to watch but mainly to be used to relax a little bit.
The most famous are Poseidon Gardens Spa, but even the Aphrodite Gardens, Eden Tropical, Terme di Castiglione, Bagnitiello, Negombo and Cavascura deserve a relaxing day. What have these parks? The ticket is expensive but you can choose between swimming pools with different temperature water, waterfalls, Kneipp treatments, saunas and the access to the sea through a private beach. There are services for the beauty and wellness, such as massages, mud treatments, gyms and so on. The gardens and parks have terrace with loungers and beach umbrella, restaurants, bars.

When: some parks and gardens are open all the year
Tickets: Up to € 32 per person for a full day

Sorgeto Bay in Ischia

The 234 steps to afford to get to the Bay of Sorgeto in Ischia will reward your efforts especially during low season:

the hot springs from the underground cross the sea water, creating pools and natural swimming pools of different sizes and temperature. You can choose boiling water, warm or cold as in the best spas, but for free, and all over the year.
Obviously the Sorgeto Bay attracts many locals and even tourists, so it might be hard to find a little room for your bag. We suggest you to go there early in the morning or in the evening, even at night, because the water temperature does not change. Sometimes you can get there also by boat from Sant’Angelo but the service is influenced by too many variables to make sure that it is always available!

How to get there: bus to Panza, ask the stop of Sorgeto
When – Hours: the whole year
Tickets: free

The church of Soccorso in Forio d'Ischia

The white church of Soccorso is one of the favorite photographic subjects by tourists visiting Ischia.

Small but with an extraordinary charm, it is located on a promontory overlooking the sea. It is there because the sailors had to see it from afar and understand that they were going back home.
The church has different architectural styles but the most interesting subject is the ex -voto of sailors hung everywhere as thank for surviving the storm. Not far from the church there is the Torrione Forio, the other symbol of the town of Ischia. In the centuries it helped to save the population of Forio and Ischia , because from this tower started the first warning when invaders came from the sea. Today it houses an art gallery and a small municipal museum. Forio is one of the most peacefully towns of the island and offers pleasant walks, squares and a little of shopping along the main street.

The burg of Sant'Angelo in Ischia

Sant’Angelo is the chic burg of Ischia, the most appreciated by the rich, by the VIPs and those who want to stay away from the crowds of holidays:

the burg with colorful houses, in fact, is for pedestrians and it is not easy to reach.
It’s connected by a single bus, usually very crowded, and the trip from Ischia Porto takes about one hour. Once arrived at the terminus there is a nice walk of one km to do (or an expensive taxi) to get into town. The postcard is the classic one of a country of the Mediterranean sea: white or colored homes, narrow streets, souvenir shops, ice cream shops, restaurants and bars. Compared to the rest of the island it is stunning the tranquillity and the absence of motor vehicles. From the small harbor there are boats that take tourists to the Maronti beach while with an uphill walk there is the Aphrodite-Apollon Thermal Park.

Nitrodi Spring in Ischia

The Romans were the first to discover the exceptional healing qualities of Nitrodi spring water, and they erected a shrine under the protection of the nymphs “Nitrodes” and Apollo. But are they really so useful?

The answer is yes and it has been also established by the Ministry of Health. In fact it is the only thermal waters of Ischia you can also drink. What are they useful to? A little bit of everything: diuresis, treatment of the kidneys, reduction of uric acid, gastritis, ulcers. For those who are interested only in aesthetic properties, the Nitrodi water makes the skin smooth as if it were silk. In addition, it removes pimples, impurities and also has a quick healing effect. Nitrodi Source is not a real thermal park, rather a path in the nature in which sources alternate aromatherapy gardens and paths.

Where: Buonopane suburb of Barano d’Ischia.
How to get there: by car along the main road. With the bus lines CD and CS
When – Hours: From May 1 to 31 from 10:30 am to 5:3 pm . From 1 June to 30 September from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm . From October 1 to 30 from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Tickets: € 10 full day

The beaches of Ischia

If you love to spend your days in the sun and sea, then you are in the right place. You just have to choose in which kind of beach to stay.

The Chiaia in Forio d’Ischia is one of the largest and most comfortable, and also crowded.
Also in Forio there is Cava dell’Isola connected to the road by a long series of steps. Quieter than Chiaia, it has clear water and is well served by three restaurants-bars. Even the Bay of San Montano, in the town of Lacco Ameno, is one of the most beautiful island. The water is clear, with hints of green, the sand is fine and golden. Maronti beach, which can be reached by boat from Sant’Angelo or the upper road, has volcanic sand, dark and slim and even hot springs that flow into the sea, including that of Cavascura.

How to get to Ischia

To get to Ischia you can leave from the port of Naples or Pozzuoli (30 minutes north of Naples).

You get to Ischia Porto or Casamicciola and, with some hydrofoils, arrive in Forio. Connections are frequent during the summer and a little less during the winter months. There are several shipping companies that provide passenger transport + car (Medmar, Caremar) and also some hydrofoils carrying only passengers (Alilauro and Caremar).
The journey from Naples takes about 1 hour, 50 minutes from Pozzuoli. The passenger ticket price ranges from 9 to 15 EUR while by car the cost is higher: about 50 € . In high season it might be difficult to find a parking space, especially on weekends. So you should to book the round trip. It is not uncommon that many tourists remain off the ferry because there are no more parking spaces available.

Things to eat in Ischia

Even it is an island the cuisine of Ischia is not strictly based on seafood. The most representative dish of the island is the “Ischia Rabbit” and even vegetables and legumes are important.

Ischia, in fact, has an important mountain (Monte Epomeo) where many products of the land come from. Obviously you’ll find also seafood dishes: fried anchovies, polyps in casserole , tuna and swordfish on the grill. The seafood dishes are the stars of the first course with spaghetti, vermicelli and fresh pastas. The first dish par excellence, though, are the bucatini with the sauce of Ischia rabbit. The desserts are not different from the Neapolitan tradition and there are some important like those made with lemon: la Delizia ( Delight). Good supply of white and red wines such as Per’ e Palammo, Biancolella, the Foresta Nera, Piedirosso and the Ischia. The typical liquor of the island is the Rucolino, prepared with the island’s wild rocket. Good to drink and great to take home as a souvenir.

Where to sleep in Ischia

In some periods of the year (July and August, for example) you could have some doubts that Ischia is actually an island. There are many tourists that transform the island into a “floating city”.

There are many hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and apartments: with the arrival of summer, then, many homes are transformed into a place to sleep. Throughout the island there are about 220 structures from 1 to 5 stars and reservations arrive long time before the summer. During the holidays of Spring and in July and August, finding a cheap accommodation could be very difficult. For these periods, therefore, we recommend you to book in advance.
If you are looking for a hotel in Ischia, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 200 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Ferrara

10 things to do and see in Ferrara

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 14 Novembre 2016

Ferrara is defined the “city of bicycles”, because of the spirit of this beautiful city. The atmosphere is relaxed, there are few cars in the old town centre, people have good vibrations.
The family D’Este reigned in this city in the past and, to defend themselves, they built the famous Castello d’Este. Today it is the symbol of this city and the main attraction.
You can admire also Palazzo Schifanoia, the frescoes of the Salone dei Mesi and Palazzo dei Diamanti, a unique building that now houses extraordinary art exhibitions. So many ways to enjoy during a weekend or a few days in this city. On this page you will find our 10 things to do and see in Ferrara.

If you are looking for a hotel in Ferrara, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 60 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Castello Estense in Ferrara

The first stone of the fortress was laid on 29 September 1385 by the Marquis Nicolò II d’Este.

It was built to defend the family D’Este by internal revolts. Over the centuries the Estense Castle has played different roles: it was home of the army with stables, warehouses, workshops . Then it became noble residence. Because of internal revolts, the Este family always lived at the top of the building, leaving the lower floors to a defensive function of the castle. A visit to the Castle allows you to discover the apartments, the kitchens, the prisons, the garden, the chapel and many other things. A real journey in the daily life of one of the most powerful families in Europe.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by bus line C4 or by feet from the old town centre
When – Hours: 1st September – 31st May from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. Ticket office close at 4.45 pm. Never on Monday, 25th December
Tickets: € 6, Visited guide € 10

The Cathedral in Ferrara

The cathedral dedicated to St. George is the most important religious place of Ferrara.

It is located in Piazza delle Erbe (now Trento and Trieste square) in front of the town hall and not far from the Castello Estense. You will be astonished by the white marble façade with the beautiful porch. Let’s start from the bottom: the porch is supported by two columns depicting an old and a young man seated on two lions.
At the centre of the portal it is depicted St. George slaying the dragon and below there are scenes from the life of Christ. The top of the portal is a unique example in Italy: it is formed by three loggias with the theme of the Last Judgement. The souls are judged by St. John the Baptist, who send them to Heaven, or Hell. In the tympanum, the figure of Christ inside an almond. Inside the Cathedral there are three-naves. Do not miss a visit to the Cathedral Museum, housed in the former Church of San Romano. There are the majestic Madonna of the Pomegranate by Jacopo della Quercia (1403-1406) and the elegant fifteenth-century works by Filippo Solari, Andrea da Carona and Bernardo Rossellino, and the monumental organ doors depicting St. George and the dragon and the Annunciation by Cosmè Tura.

Where: Old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Monday – Saturday 7.30 am- 12 pm / 3 – 6.30 pm . Sunday 7.30 am- 12.30 pm / 3.30 – 7.30 pm
Tickets: free entrance

Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara

Palazzo dei Diamanti is called in this way because of the 8500 blocks of white and pink marble façade.

A magnificent composition, designed in 1493 by Biagio Rossetti to create unusual perspectives and light effects.
The Palace was the central work of the “Herculean Addition”, that is the expansion of the city wanted by Ercole d’Este. It has a beautiful Renaissance courtyard with cloister and a well. The palace hosts important temporary exhibitions organized by the Modern and Contemporary Art Galleries in Ferrara. The first floor of the building houses the National Gallery of Ferrara, with a collection of works of exceptional value. There are works by Cosme Tura (Martyrdom and the Judgment of San Maurelio), Andrea Mantegna (Christ with the Animula of the Virgin), Ercole de Roberti and Dosso Dossi. The Palace often hosts international exhibitions.

Where: Corso Ercole d’Este
How to get there: bus line 3C or by from the old town centre and along Constitution Avenue or Via Cavour and Corso Ercole I d’Este
When – Hours: Every day from 9 am to 2 pm. Never May the 1st; 25th December; 1st January
Tickets: € 2 including the art gallery. Temporary Exhibitions require a separate ticket

Via delle Volte in Ferrara

Dear photography enthusiasts, lovers of the rarefied atmosphere, romantic people, lonely and silence seekers, you have found your place on heart: it is in Via delle Volte, a cobble road of 2 km crossing Ferrara.

Once, before the Po river was diverted, this beautiful medieval street had a commercial function. Here there were the homes of merchants who traded with the rest of Italy across the river. Vaults and arches used to quickly get to the warehouses on the river without walking through the street. Today they are closed and Via delle Volte is not very crowded. But for centuries was also “a shady place” with prostitutes, thieves and even some murderers. And after the sunset the atmosphere returns the same as always, full of whispers and shadows…

Palazzo Schifanoia in Ferrara

The name of this palace was chosen by Alberto V d’Este who built in 1835 it as a place of leisure where to avoid boredom.

But was the Duke Borso d’Este to give to the building a touch that makes it popular today.

He decided to celebrate his power with a ducal hall decorated with exceptional frescoes. So it was born the Salone dei Mesi, the largest Renaissance cycle of frescoes celebrating the good duke’s government. The hall is 24 meters long, 11 wide and 7.5 high. Obviously the main character is the Duke who is crowned, governs, triumphs, and gives a coin to the poor. Because of the Emilia earthquake of 2012, now can be visited only the Salone dei Mesi and Sala degli Stucchi.

Where: Via Scandiana 23
How to get there: 20 minutes far from Castello Estense
When – Hours: 9.30 am – 6 pm. Never: 1st and 6th January, 1st November, 25th -26th December
Tickets: € 3

Piazza delle Erbe and the Town Hall in Ferrara

Piazza delle Erbe (Trento and Trieste Square from 21 January 1919) is the city stroll.

Since two centuries, a place dedicated to the fruit and vegetable market . In this square there are all power symbols: there is the Cathedral of St. George (see point 2), the Palazzo della Ragione, the Loggia dei Merciai, the unfinished bell tower attributed to Leon Battista Albert. In Piazza delle Erbe begins the “listone “, a wide pavement 120 meters long and place of walking, of stalls and Christmas markets. In front of the cathedral there is the Town Hall Square with the huge staircase leading to the first residence of the d’Este family.

Sant'Antonio in Polesine Cloister in Ferrara

If you want to have a great emotion, you should visit in the morning or at 3 pm o’clock Sant’Antonio in Polesine.

So you can hear the nuns singing the Mass in Gregorian , with the chorus that branch out in the silence of the monastery.
You can ask to visit the cloister: a nun will guide you to the discover it with the chapel and the remains of Beatrice d’Este (founder), then a large room with benches and a large altarpiece by Nicolò Roselli (the flagellation). there is also the church reserved to the nuns with three chapels, all decorated with precious frescoes by Giotto school. Very rare, if not unique, the image of Jesus that rises alone on the Cross, to prove its extreme will to sacrifice himself for the salvation of all men.

Where: Bus: n° 2 from the train station and Corso Porta Reno-Piazza Travaglio, XX September Ghisiglieri stop (about 150 meters).
How to get there: by feet 25 minutes far from Castello Estense
When – Hours: Monday – Friday : 9.30 – 11.30 am / 3.30 – 5 pm. Saturday: 9.30 – 11.30 am / 3.15 – 16.30 pm
Tickets: free offering

Corso Ercole d’Este in Ferrara

According to UNESCO, Corso Ercole d’Este is one of the most beautiful streets in the world.

Until 1492 Ferrara was a city with a medieval structure, made of small streets, closed by the perimeter of the Po and the Canale della Giovecca.
In 1492 Ercole d’Este decided to expand it with an extraordinary architectural work entrusted to the architect Biagio Rossetti. The heart of the expansion was Corso Ercole d’Este. Completely closed to traffic and almost with no shops, it still has the renaissance structure with buildings and beautiful façades, doors and decorated windows. The most important point is the so-called “Quadrivio degli Angeli” (Crossroads of the Angels) where you can find Palazzo dei Diamanti (see point 3), Palazzo Turchi di Bagno and Palazzo Prosperi-Sacrati. The course ends in a lovely green area close to the ancient city walls.

Things to eat in Ferrara

We are in the Emilia region and Ferrara cuisine has a traditional culture. You will taste fresh pasta, cappellacci with zucca, cappelletti and passatelli soup, lasagna, but if you want a typically Ferrara first course, ask a macaroni pie, topped with seasoned meat sauce , mushrooms or truffles.

The Emilian influence can be tasted in the second dishes too , the salama da sugo, a sausage of pork, liver, pork tongue seasoned with spices and red wine. The eel is never missing from the local menu. Among the desserts, a local classic is “panpepato” typical of Christmas but are to also try the brazadèla flavored with lemon. Not much selection of local wines, except the Red Forest Eliceo and the classic Emilia

Where to sleep in Ferrara

Ferrara is a tourism and business city and welcome people with hotels and B&Bs .Just outside the city walls, in the countryside, agritourism allow you to relax from city tours with the nature around

If you choose to stay in the old town centre , you can move by car or by bike, which can be rented at each corner. Hotel with 3 star costs from 50 EUR per night, per room, breakfast included.
If you are looking for a hotel in Ferrara, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 60 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Córdoba

10 things to do and see in Córdoba

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 14 Novembre 2016

Córdoba was the capital of Islamic Spain, and the city still has the magical charm of Islamic style. The Spanish region where is located Córdoba, in fact, takes its name from the Arab word “Al-Andalus”, studied by several schools of thought.
The Moors made Córdoba the most important city of their European Empire, capital of Arab culture in Europe. The beauty of Córdoba has been preserved : the history of the city can be seen in the houses with courtyards and beautiful fountains, the spicy foods, and the physical features of its inhabitants, Arabs faces and Spanish attitudes . On this page we suggest the 10 things to do and see during a weekend or a holiday in Córdoba.

If you are looking for a hotel in Córdoba, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 120 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Mezquita in Córdoba

Mezquita in Córdoba is one of the most stunning mosques in Europe, erected on the Church of St. Vincent.

The huge structure is located within the city, and the high walls seem to touch the sky. The interior of the Mezquita, is the greatest tribute to Gothic-Renaissance architecture and Islamic art. Mezquita also has an important historical and religious meaning : after the occupation of Córdoba by the Muslims in 711, the church was used both by Christians and Muslims at the same time

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm . Sundays and holidays from 8:30 to 10 am and from 2 to 6 pm.
Tickets: € 8 for adults, € 4 for children.

Alcazar in Córdoba

Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos is the structure in which the faithful kings were received.

The Arabic style of the building, surrounded by terraced gardens, full of fish ponds, fountains and pools, will leave you astonished. The Arab past of this place can be seen at every corner street, especially in Alcázar de Los Reyes Cristianos, where the rooms still have, thanks to the mosaics and to ornaments, the typical Middle East atmosphere.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: From Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm . Sundays and holidays from 9:30 to 2.30 pm.
Never: Monday
Tickets: 4€ adults, 2 € students up to 26 years old

Madinat al-Zahra in Córdoba

Madinat al-Zahrais is the town that Abderraman III built eight kilometres far from Córdoba.

For the construction of Medina Azahara 4.300 columns were used, and the beauty of the city still shines today, although only a few ruins remain. The city was almost completely destroyed by the Berbers, who attacked Madinat al-Zahrais during a bloody battle. Abderraman III wanted to build a beautiful city to devote to his wife, the beloved az-Zahara. Although there is no confirmation of this version of the facts, it is the charm of the story and the beauty that still shines through the ruins.

Where: outside the old town centre
How to get there: Buses depart in front of the Roman Mausoleum. Departures 9.30 am , 10.15 am and 1 pm
When – Hours:
from 16 September to 30 April: Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm . From May 1 to September 15: Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm. Sunday and holidays from 10 am to 2 pm
Never: Monday.
Tickets: Free for EU citizens, € 1.50 for the citizens of other countries.

Puente Romano over the Guadalquivir in Córdoba

The Guadalquivir is the only navigable river in Spain and its name in Arabic means “Great River”.

During Romans time, the Guadalquivir was navigable up to Córdoba, where it was erected the 240 meters long bridge.
Its construction was begun by Augustus, and was part of the long road with his name. The bridge over the Guadalquivir has been the scenery of many battles, during which the original structure has been slowly destroyed. The 16 arches that supported the bridge, however, are still present in today’s version. Despite the weather, the battles and the antiquity of the project, the bridge is the only way to reach Córdoba.

Sinagoga in Córdoba

Sinagoga (Synagogue) in Córdoba was built into the Jewish quarter around the fourteenth century, and is the only Jewish religious structure present in Andalusia.

The grandeur of this synagogue is seen in the beautiful decorations in Mudejar style, which has Christian characteristics combined with Arabic elements. With the term Mudejar, which means something like “who has been allowed to remain,” they indicated the Muslims living in Andalusia even after the advent of Christians: they created the painting style you see on walls of the Synagogue of Córdoba.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: From Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm and from 3.30 to 5.30 pm. Sunday and holidays from 10 am to 2 pm
Never: Monday
Tickets: Free for EU citizens, € 1.50 for the citizens of other countries.

Juderia in Córdoba

In Andalusia there are many Jewish neighbourhoods in their city, but the Juderia (Jewish district) in Córdoba is one of the most important of Europe.

The characteristic of this district is similar to others but Juderia has a very special charm.
White houses with small gardens and narrow streets, where you can walk peacefully in the sunshine. Although the district has been renovated in ‘700, the original structure of the Juderia is still the same and is one of the most picturesque places in the whole Spain.

Palacio de Viana

Famous for its 12 patios, the Palacio de Viana was built at first as a small house, but gradually started to begin to incorporate the surrounding homes, becoming a spectacular and unique architectural element.

It is a building of 6,500 square meters with courtyards and gardens, plants and fountains, in the best Arab and Roman tradition. A way to embellish the houses but also to afford the hot weather of Córdoba summer. The result is a house inhabited by nobles until 1900 but deeply traditional and popular. Beautiful interiors with paintings (also by Goya), antique furniture, a library with 7,000 volumes and an extraordinary panelled ceiling.

Nightlife in Córdoba

If you are looking for discos, nightlife and crazy parties maybe you are in the wrong city. The only thing you can do during the night, is having a nice walk and enjoy the city without the hot weather that you can find in the middle of summer. You can explore the narrow streets which are located near Mezquita, or take a walk on the ancient Roman bridge to watch the moon reflected into the river Guadalquivir. You can visit the Judería, which is very special in the evening: If you go, try to avoid the little crowded streets.

Things to eat in Córdoba

The Córdoba cuisine has the Arabic traditional elements, just like the customs of this city. The result is a cuisine of strong flavours, with the mix of meat, fish and spices. Try to be brave and try to taste the really typical dishes of Córdoba: the stew oxtail. Although the idea may disgust you, you will change your mind after tasted it. If you really cannot do it, try to delight you with a tasty salmorejo, a gazpacho (cold soup) with ham, fried eggs and rabbit. It is not a fat free dish, but it’s worth getting fat this way!

Where to sleep in Córdoba

Finding a place to sleep in Córdoba is quite simple. In the city there are many hotels, small apartments, hostal,B&B’s, all with good prices.

The accommodation very often has the oriental style of the city, with colourful decorations and whites and blacks mosaics; some have outdoor garden in which to have breakfast. The center of Córdoba is the area with the greatest number of places to sleep in the city. Prices are generally low and you can find good accommodation even at 20 euro per night. 50 € is a room in a 3 star hotel and 100€ in an ultra-luxury.
If you are looking for a hotel in Córdoba, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 120 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Bruges cities of art

10 things to do and see in Bruges

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 14 Novembre 2016

Bruges, in Belgium, is a charming medieval town with its brick houses, towers and old bridges. You will feel that ancient atmosphere walking on the cobbled streets or taking a boat trip through the canals. Bruges has many beautiful corners and postcard views but also many attractions, art treasures and monuments.
The beautiful old town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is developed around two medieval places: the Burg and the Markt. Here you can find famous sites such as the charming shops of laces, the precious art collections, the Beguinage, the romantic Lake of Love. On this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see during your visit to Bruges.

If you are looking for a hotel in Bruges, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 220 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Markt in Bruges

The Grote Markt, or Market Square, was the commercial centre during the Middle Ages.

Today is the heart of the city and one of its major tourist attractions.
The Markt has houses with pointy spires, restaurants and cafes and general markets dating back to 1200 (the Hallen). The Belfort, the bell tower symbol of Bruges and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is placed in the old town.
It has an impressive clock mechanism, a 47-bell carillonoperated manually, and which offers a beautiful view over the city and the surroundings. In the square there is also the neo-gothic Provincial Palace, and the postal building (red brick building). The statues in the center of Markt depict Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, heroes of the Flemish revolt against the French occupation (Battle of the Golden Spurs, 1302).

Where: old city
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Belfort is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm . Never January 1, Ascension Day and 25 December.
Tickets: € 8; reduced € 6. Children under 6 don’t pay. Free with the Brugge City Card.

The Burg of Bruges

The Burg is one of the main squares of Bruges. Once here stood the fortified castle (burg) built to protect the town from the attacks of the Vikings, and the San Donatian’s church, the main sacred building of Bruges.

The square was the administrative and religious heart of Bruges. You will admire the fourteenth-century Gothic Town Hall (Stadhuis), one of the oldest in the Netherlands, with spiers, towers and the decorated façade.
The Gothic Hall (1400) is a masterpiece, with its wall paintings of the late nineteenth century illustrating the most important events of the history of Bruges. Next to City Hall is the former Civil Registry Renaissance which houses the Historical Museum of the Brugse Vrij.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: The Town Hall is open every day from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Closed: 1/01, on Ascension Day (afternoon) and 25/12.
Tickets: The ticket price is € 4 (full); € 3 (reduced); Free with Brugge City Card.

Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges

Since eight centuries, the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges houses a fabric piece used by Joseph of Arimathea to dry the blood of Christ after the crucifixion.

The sacred relic is contained in a rock crystal bottle placed inside a small glass topped with a golden crown. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is made up of two distinct parts: the lower chapel of St. Basil (XII century) with no decoration, which houses the relics of the greek theologian, and the upper chapel of the Holy Blood in Gothic style (XV century), with frescoes and beautiful stained glass windows. Here, one of the side chapels preserves the relic of the Precious Blood.
Outside the basilica, the small museum houses the shrine in which is placed the vial during the procession of the Holy Blood, and other treasures belonging to the church.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours:
The Basilica and the museum are open from 1/04 to 30/09 every day from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 to 5:00 pm ; from 1/10 to 31/03 every day except Wednesday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
Veneration of the Relic: from 1/04 to 30/09 every day from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm ; from 1/10 to 31/03 every day from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm ; Mon, Tues. and Th. 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; fri., sat. and Sun. 2:00 – 4: 00 pm . Every day except Mondays.
Tickets: Museum entrance € 2. Free with Brugge City Card.

The Begijnhof in Bruges

A protective wall and an eighteenth-century gate (strictly closed after 6:30 pm) preserve the tranquillity and peace of the Begijnhof “De Wijngaard”, a group of white houses around a garden, once inhabited the nuns of the Order of St. Benedict.

Margaret of Constantinople, Countess of Flanders, found in 1245 the Begijnhof in order to bring together the beguines of the city. The small community of lay sisters had a life of prayer and work, asceticism and charitable activities. One of the houses has been converted into a museum to give visitors an idea of the life style of the beguines. In 1584, a fire destroyed the thirteenth-century church. Rebuilt in 1609, it was later renovated in the late Baroque style.

Where: Outside the Old City. Wijngaardstraat (north of Minnewater)
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Begijnhof: daily 6:30 am to 6:30 pm . Museum: Monday- Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm ; Sunday 2:30 to 5:00 pm.
Tickets: Begijnhof: free entrance . Museum: € 2. Free entrance with Brugge City Card.

The Groening Museum in Bruges

The Museum of Groening offers a rich collection of works of art from the fifteenth to the twentieth century, mainly focusing on artists who lived and worked in Bruges. Exposure Purpose: to provide an interesting overview of six centuries of art in the southern Netherlands.

A magnificent collection of paintings by the so-called Flemish Primitives is the core of the permanent exhibition and above all one of the best collections of medieval art in Europe.
The museum has, in fact, some masterpieces of Jan Van Eyck ( “Madonna with Canon George Van der Paele” and the portrait of his wife “Margareta Van Eyck”); Hans Memling (“Triptych Moreel”); Gerard David (“Judgment of Cambyses”); and Hugo van der Goes (“Death of the Virgin”). Interesting is the section about the paintings of Renaissance and Baroque periods (Jan Provoost, Pieter Pourbus, Jacob van Oost, Jan Antoon Garremijn), and the neo-classical masterpieces of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Where: Dijver 12, Old Town centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm . Closed: Mondays (except Easter Monday and White Monday), 1 January, Ascension Day (afternoon), 25 December.
Tickets: Full € 8; reduced € 6; free for children up to 11 years. Free with Brugge City Card.

The Memling Museum in Bruges

The old hospital complex of St. John (XII sec.), once shelter for the sick, poor and pilgrims of Bruges, now houses the Memling museum, the hospital museum and the old pharmacy. Furniture, objects, archives and medical instruments, tells the old history of the hospital and the charitable work of the sisters and brothers of the Congregation of the Sint-Janshospitaal .

The pride of the complex is, however, the hospital chapel with six works of one of the most famous masters of Flemish painting, Hans Memling. Among the masterpieces there are: the Shrine of St Ursula, the wooden chest containing the relics of the saint; the ‘St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist Altarpiece’ (also known as “Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine”), created in 1479 and painted for the high altar of the church of the hospital. The other works are: “Diptych with Our Blessed Virgin and Maarten van Nieuwenhoven”, “The Adoration of the Magi”, “The lament of Christ” and “Sibylla Sambetha”.

Where: Mariastraat 38, Old Town Centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm . Closed: Mondays (except Easter Monday and White Monday), 1 January, Ascension Day (afternoon), 25 December.
Tickets: Full € 8; reduced € 6; free for children up to 11 years. Free with Brugge City Card.

Minnewater Lake in Bruges

One of the most distinctive and popular places of Bruges is the Minnewater Lake, close to the Begijnhof , surrounded by a beautiful park and crossed by a picturesque bridge dated back to 1720.

Romantic place for couples in love, lovely retreat for those looking for tranquillity, this oasis of peace and beauty is also known as “Lake of Love” (minne in Dutch means love). In the past the lake was used as a river port and water reservoir for the surrounding channels. This function gave the name to the lake.

In addition to the charm and the magic landscape, the Minnewater is also famous for hosting a large colony of swans. The presence of beautiful birds on the banks of the lake is linked to an ancient legend. It is said that in 1488, the population of Bruges executed one of the city’s administrators belonging to the court of Maximilian of Austria. Since the family crest of the unlucky guy had the effigy of a white swan, the Emperor punished the citizens forcing them to populate the lake of swans.

The Church of Michelangelo in Bruges

The Church of Our Lady known also as “Church of Michelangelo” overlook the skyline of Bruges.

Built in the Gothic style between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk is an outstanding example of the skill and expertise of the local artisans.
However it is the rich collection of art treasures inside that makes the church famous. First of all, the “Madonna of Bruges” by Michelangelo, in Carrara marble sculpture of extraordinary beauty located behind a bullet-proof glass, in the right aisle.
The small statue of the Virgin Mary with Jesus was bought in 1506 from Mouscron family, rich merchants of Bruges fabrics, to adorn the family tomb in the Church of Our Lady. Only work of Michelangelo in the Netherlands, the sculpture has the feature to be the only one to have left Italy as the great artist was still alive. Worthy of mention, the bronze sculptures of the tombs of Charles Bold and his daughter, Mary of Burgundy (chorus), a Gerard David Transfiguration (1520), one of Bernard Passion of Orley, and a Virgin of the Seven Sorrows of Bruges at Isenbrandt.

Where: Mariastraat, Old Town Centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: The church and the museum are open from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm ; Sunday from 1:30 to 5:00 pm . Museum Closed: January 1st, Ascension Day (afternoon) and 25 December. Currently there are some restoration works, this means that some areas may not be always accessible.
Tickets: Adults € 4; reduced € 3; free for children up to 5 years. Free entrance with Brugge City Card.

Things to eat in Bruges

In Bruges there are two “food” museums: the chocolate and the chips museum , so this should advise you about the two most representative products of the local gastronomy.

Along with the beer and the Moules et frites (mussels and fries), they will be always present on each menu that you will taste in Bruges.
The Flemish gastronomy is a successful mix of French and Belgian dishes. Among the seafood you can find shrimps (crevettes) and eels while among the meat dishes there are mixed boiled meat (hochebot) and pork mijoter and carbonade (bovine) with beer . Forget the wine and choose the beer between 1,000 available labels in Belgium! For the sweet moments, you have to choose among the dozens of chocolatiers in which the masters at work are often already visible from the windows.

Where to sleep in Bruges

Bruges has an excellent offer of hotels, hostels and apartments with medium-high prices.

In the old town centre prices of 3-star hotel are about 60 euro per night
With about 80-100 euro per night instead there is a wide selection also in the central Market Square (Markt). To find lower prices you have to look for some accommodation out of the center, especially in the station area, which is about 20 minutes walk from down town centre
If you are looking for a hotel in Bruges, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 220 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Palermo

10 things to do and see in Palermo

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 14 Novembre 2016

Palermo has been a Greek and Roman city, Arab capital, land conquered by Normans, French and Spanish people. Centuries of history and domination made Palermo a city of many traditions and cultures. Its monuments represent its glorious past and the great artistic and architectural heritage.
In the “city of delights” coexist Arab domes, Baroque churches , Art Nouveau buildings, neoclassical theatres and historical markets space.
You will be charmed by this city and its historic monuments, the good weather , the good vibration of people and the great cuisine.
In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see in Palermo.

If you are looking for a hotel in Palermo, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 170 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Chiesa della Martorana in Palermo

Built in 1143 the St. Mary’s church is also known as the “Martorana” because it was given in 1433 by King Alfonso of Aragon to the Benedictine monks convent founded by the noblewoman Eloisa Martorana.

This charming sacred building preserves its original Arab-Norman style as shown by the square shape and the hemispherical dome. The bell tower has arches and three rows of mullioned windows. Inside the church you can enjoy beautiful Byzantine mosaics in the dome considered the oldest in Sicily. The central point of the whole mosaic decoration is the image of Christ Pantocrator surrounded by archangels, apostles, saints and prophets.

Where: Bellini Square
When – Hours: Summer time:from 9:30 am to 1 pm and from 3:30 to 7 pm , the rest of the year up to 5 pm ; On Sunday you can visit it only in the morning
Tickets: € 2,50

The Cathedral of Palermo

The Cathedral of Palermo was completed in 1185. It stands on the site formerly occupied by a Christian basilica (604) transformed into a mosque by the Saracens (831) then (re) converted to Christian worship by the Normans (1072).

Its original shape has been modified by many restorations over the centuries and is characterized by different architectural styles. The main façade between two towers has a large fifteenth-century porch with Catalan- Gothic style. The dome has a late Baroque style and the apse has with beautiful Arabic – Norman decorations. The interior has a Latin cross layout with three naves. Here there are the remains of royal people of Sicily, including Federico II and Ruggero II, and those of Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of Palermo.

How to get there: From the harbour , line 139 to Corso Vittorio Emanuele, then 105 line for the Cathedral; from the station, line 107 or 101 until Corso Vittorio Emanuele, then line 105 for the Cathedral;
From Monreale, lines 309, 339 and 389 to Independence Square;
From Piazza Politeama, line 104
When – Hours:
Cathedral:
Weekdays: from 9:00 am to 5.30 pm
From November to February you can visit the Cathedral from 9.30 am to 1.00 pm
Holidays: from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 4:00 to 7.00 pm
Royal tombs and treasure:
Weekdays from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm and from 2.30 to 5.30 pm
Tickets:
Cathedral: Free entrance
Treasure, crypt and royal tombs: adults € 3.00; over 65 € 2.00; children (11 -17 years) € 1.00; Children (6 -10 years) € 0.50.

Cappella Palatina and Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo

Palazzo dei Normanni (Norman Palace also known as the Royal Palace) is one of the main monuments of Palermo. It was built by the Arabs in the ninth century and then transformed and enlarged by the Normans, who made it the center of their power.

It was a rich and sumptuous palace as shown by the royal apartments decorated with mosaics depicting hunting scenes (XII century) and the Palatine Chapel, the church of the royal family, decorated with Byzantine mosaics. It is considered among the most beautiful monuments in Sicily.
When the Spanish viceroy chose it as their residence, two large courtyards were added and other ceremonial rooms, including the Sala d’Ercole which takes its name from the frescoes painted by Velasquez. Since 1947, the majestic Palazzo houses the Sicilian Regional Assembly.

Where: Piazza Indipendenza (touristic entrance)
When – Hours:
Monday – Saturday: from 8.15 am at 5.40 pm ;
Sunday and holidays from 8.15 am am to 1.00 pm .
N.B. visits to the Palatine Chapel is not allowed on Sundays and festivities from 9.45 to 11.15 am for the church service. For institutional reasons the Royal Apartments may be closed unexpectedly.
Never: 25 December and 1 January.
Early closure : July 15 and September 4 h. 1.00 pm ; December 24 and 31 (when they are not public holidays) h. 3.00 pm.
Tickets: from Friday to Monday and holidays: full price € 8.50, reduced € 6.50. From Tuesday to Thursday: full price € 7.00; reduced € 5.00.
Free entrance for Italian and European Union citizens under 18 years of age.

Catacombs in Palermo

The underground cemetery of the Cappuccini Convent, wrongly known as “the catacombs” preserves the mortal remains of monks, famous people, rich people of Palermo and ordinary people.

There are about eight thousands of mummified bodies from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century in the galleries under the convent. The bodies are preserved almost intact thanks to the micro – climatic conditions and the methods used by the monks to embalm the bodies.
Catacombs of Palermo are a little bit outside the city center, but are one of the tourist destinations most appreciated by tourists. The charm of macabre things never goes out of style.

Where: Via Cappuccini 1
When: every day (including Sundays and holidays) 09:00 am to 12:30 pm and 3:00 to 5:30 pm. From late October to late March, the catacombs are closes on Sunday afternoon.
Ticket: € 3

Popular markets in Palermo

The street markets of Palermo are a kind of places out of time because they have preserved the charm of an ancient culture.

The markets of Ballarò and Vucciria, located close to the station and the Church of Martorana, are the most visited markets . Here the colors are mixed up to the smells of Palermo and the whole Sicily. Ballarò is still a populated market, while the popular Vucciria is almost decadent, but still worth a visit.
Two other markets are a must see: those of the “ Capo”, located behind the Teatro Massimo, and Borgo Vecchio, which is located closethe harbour and is open also at night. In this way you have four places to visit, to live an ancient Palermo, which never loses its appeal and to bring home some culinary souvenirs at very low cost.

Stanze al Genio in Palermo

Inaugurated in December 2008, the unique Museum “Stanze al Genio” takes its name by the homonymous cultural association.

It contains one of the largest collections in Europe of ancient Neapolitan and Sicilian majolica with over 2,300 objects (from the end of the sixteenth century the early twentieth century), and other smaller collections of contemporary and modern art.
The Museum is housed in an elegant private house in the historic building Torre – Piraino, in the center of Palermo. The museum is divided into 4 beautiful rooms (entrance hall, kitchen room, flower room and neoclassical hall), also used for cultural events. Majolica are divided by age, geographical origin and production, highlighting for each of them the most beautiful and valuable pieces.

Where: Via Garibaldi 11
When – Hours: You can book guided tours calling the following numbers 340 0971561-335 6885379
Tickets: Ordinary card € 7,00; reduced (students and over 65) € 5,00

Monreale Cathedral in Palermo

8 km far from Palermo, in the town of Monreale, there is the beautiful cathedral in the Arab – Norman style dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

It is a destination for tourists and pilgrims from all around the world. The religious building was built in 1174 at the behest of the Norman King William
The Cathedral has a three – light window colonnade with the precious bronze door and two large square towers, one of which turned into a bell tower. The Latin cross layout is divided into three naves separated by columns with beautiful carved capitals; the walls are covered by magnificent mosaics on a gold background of Byzantine school depicting scenes from the Bible and stories of the Church. Many treasures to admire: the main altar of Valadier (1711), the sarcophagi of William I and William II, the organ of the twentieth century. Do not miss the Cappella del Crocifisso (Chapel of the Crucifix), a beautiful example of Sicilian Baroque, which houses the reliquary containing a thorn from Christ’s crown.

Where: Vittorio Emanuele I Square
When – Hours:
Cathedral: weekdays from 8:30 am to 12:45 pm and 2:30 to 5:00 pm ; public holidays from 8:00 to 10:00 am and from 2:30 to 5:30 pm ; visits are suspended during religious services.
Cloister: Tuesday -Saturday: from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm ; Monday and holidays: from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
Tickets:
Cathedral: Free entrance
Chapel of the Crucified : 2,50 €
Towers and roof: 2.50 €
Chapel + Towers and Roof: 4,00 €
Card included the Diocesan Museum: 6,00 €
Cloister: 6,00 €.

Pretoria Fountain in Palermo

It was built in the sixteenth century by the sculptor Camilliani for the villa of Don Pedro of Toledo.

Later it was bought by the Senate of Palermo and from 1581 the fountain makes a fine show in the beautiful Piazza Pretoria, surrounded by buildings, including the Palazzo Pretorio (the Town Hall), and ancient churches (San Giuseppe dei Teatini and Santa Caterina).
The fountain is surrounded by an elegant balustrade within which are located the tanks (three concentric plus a number of small and medium), four staircases, statues depicting some pagan gods(Apollo, Venus, Diana, Bacchus, Adonis, Ceres, Hercules). The nudity of the statues pushed people to call it “fountain of shame.”

Where: Pretoria Square, old town centre

Things to eat in Palermo

The gastronomy in Palermo is good and tasty. From appetizers to desserts, Palermo offers dishes not to be missed:

a unique combination of ingredients, flavours and fragrances, the result of an ancient tradition. Saffron, pistachio nuts, dairy products, prickly pear are just some of the items used in this cuisine.
Do not taste just cannoli and cassata, but also the popular “street food”, such as the famous arancini (breaded fried rice balls and stuffed usually with meat sauce, mozzarella and peas); the croquettes or “cazzilli” made from potatoes; Panelle, (chickpea flour fritters); sfincione (large piece of yeast dough topped with a fresh tomato sauce, onion, anchovies and cheese); and the pane ca ‘meusa, or the loaf stuffed spleen, lung and trachea cooked into small pieces with lard.

Where to sleep in Palermo

In Palermo, the tourist is considered a kind of treasure, and the city is equipped to accommodate all types of travellers. Luxury hotels like the Grand Wagner, or cheap B&B’s, are close the most important tourist destinations of the city.

The selection is good and prices are not very high: a double 3 stars for a night, in the city center costs about 50 Euros. We suggest you to look for accommodation in the central area, and to optimize the visiting times because the internal connections are not always very reliable.
If you are looking for a hotel in Palermo, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 170 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Granada

10 things to do and see in Granada

Autore articolo Di Admin_Alfonso_10Things
Data dell'articolo 14 Novembre 2016

It is easy to fall in love with Granada, its climate, its people, its streets and its monuments. Granada is the most important city of Andalusia, not only for its strategic geographical location, with the Sierra Nevada behind and the Tropical Coast, but also for all its important cultural events taking place inside old buildings or very modern facilities.
Walking through the streets of Granada you will admire Alhambra, residence of the Muslim rulers and most significant monument of the city, or maybe you will visit Albacìn, the old quarter where the Moors settled after the Reconquista. There is a Spanish saying : “Who hasn’t seen Granada has seen nothing “, and Garcia Lorca, a native of Granada, wrote about it: “the emotions of my childhood are all inside me. I have never come out of it.”
In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see during a trip to Granada

If you are looking for a hotel in Granada, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 220 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Alhambra in Granada

One of the most important symbols of the Muslim domination of Granada, is with no doubt Alhambra, declared a World Heritage Monument by UNESCO.

In the past the Moors needed to build a fortress to protect the city, so they decided to do it on the ruins of an ancient citadel called Alcazaba. The new fortress was called Al – Qal aal – Hmbra which in Arabic means “red fortress”. The name is probably inspired by the colour of the walls. The Alhambra (name adapted to the Spanish language) was originally a military citadel, but during the reign of Yusuf I became a rich palace of wonderful courtyards, fountains and gardens. Alhambra has a strong contradiction: on the outside rigid military construction and inside a delicate and graceful structure.

Where: Taxi or urban microbus , stop Plaza Nueva. The lines 30 and 32 of the urban bus stop near the most important monuments of the Alhambra.
When – Hours: May 1 – September 30, Mon – Sat 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Sunday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm ; October 1 – April 30, Mon – Sat 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Tickets: € 12

The Generalife in Granada

In Granada, the beauty has no end: just opposite to Alhambra there is another palace, the Generalife, surrounded by beautiful hills and gardens, a sort of oasis of peace and relaxation of the king.

The name of this monument derives from Arabic words Yanat – to – Arif and means “Garden architect”, the best and the most powerful of all architects: God. The gardens of this structure dates back to ‘ 300 and are truly exceptional: arabesque, elegant and colourful especially in spring with all the bright colors of flowers. In summer, with the hot weather of Andalusia, it will be great to go to the Water Staircase and dip your hands in the water.

Where: Realejo-San Matias
How to get there: Taxi or urban microbus , stop Plaza Nueva. The lines 30 and 32 of the urban bus stop near the most important monuments of the Alhambra.
When – Hours: May 1 – September 30, Mon – Sat 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Sunday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm ; October 1 – April 30, Mon – Sat 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Tickets: 12€

Dar-al-Horra Palace or Monastery of Santa Isabel in Granada

This stunning structure was built in the fifteenth century on the ruins of a destroyed building of the king Ziri.

This building is very interesting because it is the only one which has been preserved its original appearance. The name Dar – Al – Horra means House of the honest woman and seems to have inspired the mother of King Boabdil, the last Arab monarch in Spain. After the conquest of Granada in 1492 by the Catholic Monarchs, the Arabs gave the Palace to the royal secretary Hernando de Zafra. Later the Queen Isabella decided to found here the Santa Isabel Royal Convent. The palace belonged to the religious order until the twentieth century, until it was bought by the government: currently the Dar – Al – Horra is cataloged as the heritage of cultural interest.

Where: Callejón Ladrón Agua, Albaicín district
How to get there: by bus line 31
When – Hours: From October 15 to March 14: Monday-Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Summer timing: Monday-Sunday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Tickets: € 3,65

Albayzin district of Granada

Albayzin district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural uniqueness. Founded by the Moors with the name of Bayyasīn, that is, from the city of Baeza.

In the past it reached 60,000 inhabitants and 26 mosques. The intricate system of narrow streets, patios, flower-filled balconies is the same and makes it the more distinctive and authentic place in Granada. The most important monument of the neighbourhood is the Church of San Salvador in Mudejar style, built in the sixteenth century over the main mosque of Albaicín. Do not miss the Roman Baths and a visit at the Arco de la Pesas, small gateway in the defensive walls of the neighbourhood.

How to get there: by bus, line 31

Granada Cathedral

The Granada Cathedral is considered the greatest expression of Renaissance church in Spain.

The Catholic Monarchs founded the cathedral in 1492, and wanted it to be an imitation of the gothic model of the Toledo Cathedral. In 1518, Diego de Siloé had the task to design the cathedral and he created a new plan of the temple in the Spanish Renaissance style. Almost 200 years later, in 1704 the work ended, but only one of the two towers of Siloé was built. The main façade however is a masterpiece of Baroque art by Alonso Cano in 1667.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Monday 10:45 am to 1:30 pm and 4:00 to 7:00 pm , Sundays and holidays 4:00 to 7:00 pm . July open until 10:00 am
Tickets: € 3,50

The Royal Chapel of Granada

In a building next to the Cathedral there is the Royal Chapel, built by Isabella and Ferdinand.

The two sovereigns decided, by mutual agreement, that after death their remains should be preserved in Granada.
This city was an important symbol for them, the place where they completed the reconquer of Spain and the expulsion of the Moors. Here are the remains of the two sovereigns and their unlucky daughter, Joanna the Mad and those of her husband Philip the Handsome. In the sacristy there is a small museum where you can admire the Ferdinand sword, the sceptre of Isabella, the silver crown. Do not miss a visit to the small personal art collection of the king : you can admire a Christ by Perugino, L’Orazione nell’Orto by Botticelli, many Flemish paintings including a Memling .

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet in the old town centre
When – Hours: Monday 10:45 am to 1:30 pm and 4:00 to 7:00 pm , Sundays and holidays 4.00 to 7:00 pm . July open until 10:00 pm
Tickets: € 3,50

Arab Baths in Granada

The Catholics considered the Arab baths a kind of brothels and places of prostitution, although it was not this way.

Here the Moors of Granada used to meet in order to talk about religion, to enjoy the curative waters, talk, relax, get a massage and a haircut, with a division between men and women.
Despite the bad reputation, the Arab Baths of Granada survived to the meticulous work of destruction of the Moors symbols after the Reconquer of Spain and the expulsion of Muslims. The Bañuelo, therefore, deserves a visit because it is one of the few survivors Arab baths in Spain. The bathrooms are located on the banks of the River Darro. There are three large areas (cold room, central room and hot room), and a central courtyard with a bathtub.

Granada's Science Park

Although it is less popular than other European scientific parks of Granada it is certainly one of the most successful science park.

A mix of learning and entertainment designed for children but that fascinates adults.
It starts with a journey into the human body where you can discover all the secrets of human DNA, then there is the journey of perception in which you play with light and sound and then the Camera Esplora designed especially for children. In the Park of Sciences of Granada there is a Planetarium that can accommodate 83 people and a sky with a diameter of 10-meter upon which are projected 7,000 stars, the limit of the human eye on a clear night.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by bus, line 1,4,5,10,11
When – Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm , Sundays and holidays 10:00 am to 3:00 p.m.
Never: Monday, January 1, May 1, December 25, 15 to 30 September
Tickets: € 11 ( TITANIC + Museum); € 2.50 (Planetarium)

Things to eat in Granada

The abundance of ingredients and the millennial cultural fusion has created one of the most interesting culinary tradition in Europe.

One of the most typical dishes are the Sacromonte tortilla, marrow base, eggs and veal offal and the Ollo de San Anton (pork, beans, rice, vegetables) . The “poor man’s potatoes” (Patatas a lo pobre) are made of fried potatoes with garlic and onion, wine and oil. One of the best products of the area is the ham Travelez, often served as tapas, extraordinary tradition of street food. Among the desserts, the Arab influence is predominant: almonds, dried fruit, caramel and spices. The most famous sweet of Granada is the Pionono which takes its name from Pope Pius IX who visited the city in 1897. It is made with eggs, sugar, milk, lemon, cinnamon and rum.

Where to sleep in Granada

Andalusia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, especially during spring and autumn.

Granada has a long tradition of tourist accommodation, with hotels, B&Bs and apartments for rent. The available facilities are about 400, with very low prices. You can find hostels and rooms for rent starting from 20 € per night but you have to accept some compromise on comfort. With 50 euro per night you can have a great 3 star hotel in the center of Granada and, with a higher price, even luxury accommodations.
If you are looking for a hotel in Granada, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 220 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Verona

10 things to do and see in Verona

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 15 Settembre 2016

Verona is for everyone the tragic scenario of the love history between Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare’s play has made the fortune of Verona for sure: a good part of the city’s economy is based on this “romantic tourism,” which finds its perfect ending below the famous balcony of Juliet. Identifying Verona as the city of Romeo and Juliet, however, has prevented people to enjoy the other beauties of this city. It’s called the “Gateway to Italy“, because it anticipates, to those coming from the north, the characteristics, the beauty, the essence of our country.

Verona is a mix of artistic, historical and cultural testimonies, dived in a suggestive atmosphere made of alleys, squares and traditional food. If you would like to look beyond the balcony, we suggest you an itinerary among its famous places, its typical flavors and its lovely entertainments. You’ll be seduced by the charm of this city. In this page we suggest 10 things to do and see during a holiday or a weekend in Verona.

If you are looking for a hotel in Verona, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 127 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Verona Arena

The Roman amphitheater (better known as Arena) is, with Romeo and Juliet, the symbol of this city all over the world. It was probably built in the first century and like all the amphitheaters hosted the gladiator’s shows. It was the fourth amphitheater after the Colosseum in Rome, the ones of Capua and Milan.

It has a solid and impressive structure made by an the exterior face covered of bricks and Veronese marble which create a particular chromatic effect. The interior with its terraces concentric movement give an effect of grandeur. It takes its name from “rena” (the Italian noun for sand) placed in the central part where shows took place . The Arena could host 30.000 spectators and gladiators who had wide room for their shows. Nowadays the Arena is an important stage for musical events and it continues to preserve its ancient function, although with less bloody shows!

Where: Piazza bra, old town centre.
How to get there: from city centre by feet
Hours: from Tuesday to Sunday 8.30 am -7.30 pm – closing time 6.30 pm reduced time during the shows
During July, August and September, open to the public also on Monday morning, 8:30 am to 7:30 pm no lunch break
Ticket: € 10

Romeo and Juliet’s home in Verona

Verona was the theater where the tragic love story between Romeo and Juliet, made famous by Shakespeare’s tragedy, took place. In a building of the XIII century, placed in the city centre, people of Verona recognized the Capuleti’s house: the legend merges with reality, finding some reference points.

A beautiful façade covered by bricks and a Gothic front door: in the courtyard there’s a bronze statue representing Juliet and the famous balcony protagonist of their love birth. Juliet’s house is an obliged stop, even if a touristic one, for people who want to discover the places that inspired the love story par excellence

Less fortunate was the Romeo’s house, now a private one, close to the Arche Scaligere (point 8). On the gothic façade you can read an inscription “Oh! Where is Romeo? … I’m not myself. I’m not here. This isn’t Romeo – he’s somewhere else.“(Act 1, Scene 1). Juliet’s tomb is located in an ancient monastery of the Capuchin friars of the XIII century in Via del Pontiere, 35.

It can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm – On Monday from 1.30 to 7.30 pm. Ticket € 4.50.

Where: Via Cappello n° 23, city centre.
How to get there: city centre by feet
Hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm – on Monday from 1.30 to 7.30 pm
Tickets: full price € 6.00 . Reduced price € 4,50

The Church of San Zeno Maggiore in Verona

The legend says that, during the Adige inundation in 589, the water stopped on the doorway of this church built on the site of burial of Bishop Zeno. Saint Zeno, with its African origins, was the eighth bishop of Verona (about 362-380) and converted the city to Christianity.

This church is one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy and its actual appearance seems to date back to the XII century. San Zeno keeps the body of the Saint and it’s rich of paintings and sculptures from the XII to the XVI century. A particular attention deserves the Altarpiece of San Zeno painted by Andrea Mantegna, which is the first example of Sacred Conversation with the Madonna and Child at the center. From left you can see St. Peter with the keys, St Paul with the sword, St. John the Evangelist with roseate dress, San Zeno in Bishop’s dresses, Saint Benedict with the monk’s dress, San Lorenzo with a gridiron, St. Gregory the Great dressed like the Pope and San John the Baptist with the typical dress as a hermit in the desert. You can understand that this is a conversation because the direction and gestures give the impression that the saints are talking to each other.

Where: city centre
How to get there: city centre by feet
Hours: Nov- Feb weekday 10.00 am – 1.00 pm / 1.30 -5.00 pm
Nov- Feb weekend and religious holidays 12.30 – 5.00 pm
Mar – Oct weekday 8.30 am – 6.00 pm
Mar – Oct weekend and religious day 12.30 – 6.00 pm
Ticket: € 2,50

Piazza delle Erbe in Verona

Piazza delle Erbe is a colored fruit and vegetable market with its group of sun umbrellas, surrounded by historic buildings and monuments. It’s the principal characteristic of the most ancient square in Verona where the medieval buildings took place of the Romans ones step by step. Here you can see the most popular and energetic side of the city, even if you won’t forget the cultural side of your holiday.

During the market, on Saturdays and Sundays, this square can be considered the living room of the city, where people of Verona meet to do the shopping or for the evening aperitif ritual. In this square you can find the Town Hall, Torre dei Lamberti, Casa dei Giudici and Mazzanti’s houses. On the smaller side there is the baroque Palazzo Maffei adorned with several statues of the Greeks gods : Jupiter, Hercules, Minerva, Venus, Mercury and Apollo. Beautiful the house of Mercanti (or Domus Mercatorum), that nowadays hosts the Banca Popolare of Verona. In the center of the square there is the famous fountain called “Madonna Verona” and an ancient Capital too, also called “Tribuna” or (wrongly) “pillory”. It dates back to the XIII century, when under this capital used to sit “podestà” during the ceremony for their assignment.

Where: city centre
How to get there: from city centre by feet

Verona Bridges

The Adige river flows through and bisects Verona: bridges, therefore, have always played an essential role in the city. Today there are seven that have shared the fate of being destroyed by retreating Nazis and then constructed in the following years.

The oldest of all is the Stone Bridge, the so called “Ponte Pietra” , made during Roman era that still today links the Roman Theatre to the city centre. Luckily the stone blocks and bricks, thrown into the river by the explosion, were recovered and used trying to reconstruct the original features of the bridge . The other representative one is the Ponte Scaligero, in front of Castelvecchio. Built in the second half of the XIV century, with three unequal arches, it had the same fate of Ponte Pietra and like this, it was rebuilt in 1951 with stone and original bricks recovered on the bottom of the Adige.

Piazza dei Signori and Arche Scaligere in Verona

The administrative power of Verona has always been focused on this beautiful square surrounded by monumental buildings linked each other by arcades and arches. At the centre of the square you can see the large statue of Dante who found a refuge in Verona after his exile from Florence.

You enter in the square from the Arch of Costa and immediately on the left you can find the Domus Nova façade. If you continue to walk you can find the Loggia del Consiglio and the Palazzo degli Scaligeri, Lords of Verona from 1260 to 1387. There is also Capitano’s Palace with the corner tower that overlooks the square, linked to the Palazzo della Ragione by an arch. From the arch you can access to the courtyard of the Old Market with the splendid Scala della Ragione. From Torre dei Lamberti there is a splendid view over the square and the rooftops of Verona. The Church of Santa Maria Antica is located in a small square in whose courtyard rises the Scaliger arches . The impressive funerary complex is an outstanding example of Gothic architecture in Italy. Arches were built to host the remains of some of the representatives of the Scala family. Stand out for their monumentality and decorations those of Cangrande I, Mastino II and Cansignorio.

Piazza Bra in Verona

Piazza Bra is one of the largest squares in Europe, dominated by the Arena and made precious by some historical buildings. The square takes its name from the German word breit, which means wide

Where: city center
How to get there: city center by feet
Hours: From November to February: from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 1.30 to 4.00 pm on weekdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm on holidays. From March to October: from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays, from 1.00 to 5.30 pm on holidays.

Castelvecchio in Verona

Cangrande II della Scala wanted the construction of this fortress in order to have a protection from exterior dangers, but also from popular riots after internal struggles of Scaligera family. The Scaligero bridge to which it is linked, in fact, is a door beyond the river providing an escape to the countryside

As the bridge, also the Castle has had alternate fortunes. After the fall of the Scaligeri family it was used by the Venetians as a weapons depot and then became barracks during French and Austrian dominion. The restoration of 1926 removed the military elements and inserted late Gothic and Renaissance ones. Castelvecchio has two parts: on the right there are the main courtyard and the parade ground; on the left the Scaligera mansion where the lords used to live with a narrow courtyard and a double wall. At the center, the high Mastio Tower which gives access to the Ponte Scaligero over the Adige. It now hosts a museum with works of medieval, renaissance and modern art. The museum is not very big but there were at least 20 masterpieces until 21^st of November (until someone stoled them), including Mantegna’s Holy Family, with the Child with Caroto puppet, Female Portrait of Rubens, The Madonna of the Quail attributed to Pisanello, San Girolamo penitent of Bellini and many others.

Things to eat in Verona

The ancient food tradition of Verona continues nowadays in restaurants with typical dishes. Rice and polenta are the principal ingredients, but there are also some less known specialties that you cannot miss: the “pearà” for example, boiled beef with a peppered cheese sauce, or “pastisada de caval” stew made of horse meat, or “paparele”, homemade

pasta with peas and beans. We suggest you to taste also the Renga de Parona of Verona made with anchovies. Among the desserts, the Pandoro, known all over the world, the Nadalìn (eight tips star) and the Mandorlato (nut brittle) of Cologna Veneta. Verona is also known for its production of DOC wines, then taste the Bardolino or the Valpolicella.

Where to sleep in Verona

Charming and romantic, Verona is the second city of its Region for national and international tourism. Its territory, with the surroundings and the Garda Lake , hosts a big number of tourists each year.

The city provides to their accommodation with a lot of B&Bs, hotels, comfortable hostels and agritourism. Prices have an high average, and it could be difficult to find a cheap room rate during the Spring, especially during national holidays, Christmas time and musical events at the Arena. We suggest you to book in advances during these kind of period. Prices of a three star hotel at the city center start from € 70 but they can be higher in luxury structures and monumental areas

cities of art Venice

10 things to do and see in Venice

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 15 Settembre 2016

There are two ways to visit Venice: you can follow the hurried tourists and an established tour chosen by about 20 million people every year, or you can leave this path and try to discover a less touristic Venice. We think that you can do both: you can go to St. Mark’s Square, so often seen in the pictures, or on the Rialto Bridge to admire the Grand Canal and fight with the crowd in order to take a picture. You can, otherwise, forget any stereotype of Venice and find out that there are extraordinary places to visit. So it happens to go to the Accademy Art Galleries, St Rocco Scuola Grande, or the Frari Church and discover magnificent works and fine buildings. Those monuments will tell you the true story of Venice, the one too often overshadowed by a standard tourism. In this page we suggest you 10 things to do in Venice during a weekend or a longer holiday.

If you are looking for a hotel in Venice, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 450 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

St. Mark's square in Venice

St. Mark’s square is the first place that people use to think about Venice. The great square of the Basilica, with the pigeons waiting for some crumbs, it’s perhaps the most famous image of Venice.

Before the arrival of the relics of St. Mark and the construction of the Basilica, this was simply a large vegetable garden, crossed by the Rio Batario, then buried by order of the Doge Vitale Michiel II. St. Mark’s square is the only open space in Venice who has the privilege of being called “square”, while all other areas with this feature are called “fields”. During the years of the Venetian Republic it was the place for exhibitions, tournaments, processions, and the hunt for bulls, while today it is surrounded by very expensive cafés, where you can sit and watch the passage of thrilled tourists from all over the world.

Doge’s Palace in Venice

Venetians take care of this building because it’s the protagonist of important events happened in Venice. Doge’s Palace was exactly where it is now during the period of the Republic, was there with the other dominations and also when Venice became part of Italian state . This palace is a constant presence, always loyal to the city.

It has been subject of many changes, because of a long series of terrible fires. The political importance of this palace, once seat of the Doge of Venice, was underlined by Napoleon too, who wanted this palace to become the centre of his administration in 1797, when he conquered Venice. The historical importance of the Doge’s Palace is testified also from the great sum of money that the newborn Italian republic gave to Venice to remodel this building. In spite of the loss budget of the new unified Italy, it spared no expenses to one of the most important symbols of this city.

The Grand Canal in Venice

Venetians use to call it “canalazzo”, but it’s not derogatory name, it’s just their way to identify the biggest canal of their city. This canal cross the city and it’s 4 kilometers long, dividing the city centre in two parts. The Grand Canal is even older than Venice, it has a S reverse shape and it’s 5 meters deep in some points and in some others can be 70 meters width.

If you want to admire the city from a different point of view you can make a boat tour on the Grand Canal that starts from Santa Lucia Station and arrives to Saint Mark square, offering a wonderful view of the city. During the tour you’ll have the chance to admire buildings that seem to compete in beauty. Observing buildings, the harmony of the constructions and the narrow alleys, that you can see while the ferry boat slowly goes in direction of Saint Mark square, you’ll understand why Venice is one of the most loved cities of the world.

Venice's bridges

It’s not easy to count Venice’s bridge: they’re 354! This city has an important relation with its bridges because people need them to go in different directions linked by bridges. Venetians transformed their necessity into the main feature of their city: Venice is so characteristic thanks to all these “half-moons” (bridges) that you can see on its canals.

The most known bridge it’s the Bridge of Sighs, but only few people knows that this name doesn’t come from the languid sights of the lovers that swear eternal love to each other under this bridge. The bridge takes its name from the sights of the condemned people to death, that were brought to the near prison passing through this bridge, and looking for the last time the city, they sadly sighted. On the Gran Canal you can see the Rialto bridge too.

In 1593, the Rialto Bridge replaced the old bridge made with wooden boats that allowed the passage towards populated Rialto market. Today the bridge, covered by arches, is crowded with tourists and vendors, one of the most famous photographic points of the world.

The newest bridge of Venice, the spectacular Bridge of the Constitution, has been projected and built by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The Bridge, commissioned in 1997, after a long time due to some mistakes in its design, has been opened to the public in 2008 and only after one year he received the definitive technical approbation.

The Accademy Art Galleries

The Accademy Art Galleries hosts the richest collection of Venetian paintings, from the Byzantine and Gothic style to Renaissance artists.

Some names can immediately clarify the quantity and quality of the works housed in a complex that link the church of St. Mary of Charity, the monastery of the Lateran Canons and the Great School of St. Mary of Charity: Bellini, Carpaccio, Giorgione, Veronese, Tintoretto and Titian, Tiepolo and the great eighteenth-century landscape painters Canaletto, Guardi, Bellotto, Longhi.

There are also works by Mantegna, a Piero della Francesca, Crivelli, Luca Giordano, Memling and others. The museum also hosts one of the highlights of Leonardo da Vinci, the Vitruvian Man, but is very rarely exhibited because the light ink could lose its original color.

Where: Venier dei Leoni Palace , Dorsoduro 701
How to get there: From Piazzale Roma or train station: ferry line 2, direction Lido, the Accademia stop; Boat No. 1, direction Lido, Accademia or Salute stop.
From St. Mark’s Square: waterbus line 2, towards P. Roma, the Accademia stop; Boat No. 1, towards P. Roma, stop or Health Academy.
Hours:
The Museum of the Accademy Art Galleries is open at the following times:
Monday from 8.15 am to 2.00 pm (last entry 1.00 pm )
Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15 am to 7.15 pm (last entry at 6.15 pm)
Full closing days: Monday afternoon, January 1st, May 1st, December 25^th
Ticket: Single ticket Galleries + Grimani Building:
Single ticket Full price: € 15.00 (+ € 1.50 reservation fee)
Reduced Single ticket: € 12.00 (+ € 1.50 reservation fee)
U.E. boys 18-25 years old with identification card, teachers without their school group.

Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice

The Peggy Guggenheim collection is the most prestigious Italian collection dedicated to the European and American contemporary art of the first half of 1900. In this Museum you can find the masterpieces of the greatest artists: Pollock, de Chirico, Picasso, Kandinsky, Brancusi and Duchamp.

One of the most interesting collection is the Gianni Mattioli’s, one of the greatest collectors of ‘900, in which you can find the best Italian Futurism art: Sironi, Carrà, Soffici, Rosai, some paintings of Morandi and a beautiful portrait of Amedeo Clemente Modigliani. The Museum is placed in the only incomplete palace of Venice: the Venier House of Lions bought by Peggy Guggenheim to realize the biggest modern art museum of the 50’s. She spent all her life with the only purpose to realize a museum which could enhance the vanguards of all the world. Her passion wasn’t stopped by the second world war. During those years she continued travelling all around Europe, mindless of dangers, looking for the works she wanted in her prestigious collection. The strong personality of Peggy Guggenheim allowed artists to become the most representative of the American Abstract Expressionism.

The Frari Church in Venice

The Church of the Frari is one of the places in Venice that the hurried tourists miss out .

Monumental basilica 102 meters long, has 17 monumental altars and a collection of works worthy of the best museums in the world.

Here are buried Antonio Canova and Tiziano, many doges, generals, the composer Monteverdi and many other Venetian personalities. In the Apse you’ll be astonished by the Assumption by Tiziano, the most important work of the church together with the Pesaro Altarpiece, always by the same painter. But are no less so the works of Bellini (Frari Triptych and Madonna Enthroned), the Deposition of Frangipane. Don’t miss a visit to the beautiful wooden choir. Beyond the works, in the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari light will amaze you: the arrangement of the works like in a museum, the monumental power gives an overall feeling of grandeur.

Where: Campo ai Frari
How to get there: Line 1, stop San Tomà
Hours: From Mon to Sat 9:00 am to 6:00 pm – Sunday: 1.00-6.00 pm
Closed December 25, January 1, Easter and August 15.
Ticket: € 3

Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice

Tintoretto has put all his skills in the Sala Albergo of the Scuola di San Rocco. And he succeeded, because this cycle of works is considered by all the Sistine Chapel of Venice.

The Scuola Grande di San Rocco was the seat of a brotherhood of rich Venetian people devoted to charitable works and takes its name from the San Rocco body, guarded here.

In 1564 the Brotherhood entrusted Tintoretto the task of decorating the school. In 24 years, the artist and his students realized a cycle of large canvases in the Ground and in the Sala Albergo. The works tell biblical stories and the life of Christ in an exceptional artistic path, which almost stuns for the size and the number of painted works.

Where: Piazza San Marco
How to get there: From the boat station, Line 41, stop San Zaccaria; Line 2, Line 1, stop Vallaresso or San Zaccaria.
Hours: April 1 – November 1, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm ; 2 November to 31 March 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Never: December 25, January 1.
Ticket: full ticket € 13, reduced € 7.50. A single ticket allows entrance to: Doge’s Palace, Correr Museum, National Archaeological Museum, Monumental Halls of Marciana National Library.

Things to eat in Venice

Venice gastronomy has particular tasty dishes. You can begin with the appetizers, the masterpieces of Venetian menu. The “bacari” (the typical taverns) offers to their customers the “cicchetti”, typical Venetian appetizers that must be served with a “ombra de vin” (a little wine). You just have to choose among groceries or fried crab, the “soppressa” (a sort of salami) with polenta or half egg with anchovies.

Among the first courses, the most know dish is “risi e bisi”, also known as rice with peas, that the Doge’s ate in honor of the Saint Patron of the city on 25th April.

In Venice you can also eat seafood: spaghetti with clams or cooked with sepia. In this place another dish really appreciated is the pasta with beans. To conclude your meal you have to choose a second course: inevitable (for people who has a strong stomach…) the liver cooked in the Venetian way, its characteristic is to be cooked with a lot of onion, served with “castrature”, the typical artichokes farmed on the little islands of the Laguna.

Where to sleep in Venice

Every year about 20 million tourists visit Venice. The majority doesn’t stop to sleep but take a flight after a few hours walking around.

Despite this tourism that does not occupy rooms in Venice it can be very difficult to find a place to sleep, especially during the spring and Carnival. Even if you find it, you’ll to spend too much and don’t expect extra luxury rooms.

Local hoteliers know that you are willing to pay a lot and get little in order to visit the lagoon city. A normal 3 star hotel can cost 150 Euros per night, while the more luxurious can get to cost you very much. Hotels and the cheaper B&Bs are located on the mainland in Mestre, which is perfectly connected to Venice, and allows you to reach the main monuments of the lagoon city in just a few minutes. Maybe this is the solution less romantic but certainly more convenient.

cities of art Valencia

10 things to do and see in Valencia

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 15 Settembre 2016

10 things to do and see in Umbria — 10 things to do and see in Valencia

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean sea. Until a few years ago the place was visited only by curious travellers, but, after the America’s Cup, Valencia has become famous around the world, with obvious influences on architecture, the organization of the city, the number of tourists and the cost of hotels. As happened for the Olympics in Barcelona, this event has given new life in Valencia, creating a mix of creativity and energy that contributed to the Valencia explosión. There are several things to do : the Cathedral (it seems that contains the Holy Grail), the City of Science and Arts (a must), the Barrio del Carmen with its student nightlife and a good paella , (the one true paella, you will not find it in any other part of Spain). Read the next page to find out 10 things to do and see during a weekend or a holiday in Valencia.

If you are looking for a hotel in Valencia, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 200 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Cathedral of Valencia

The Baroque Puerta del Los Hierros, the Romanesque Puerta del Palau and the Gothic Puerta de los Apostoles are the three portals of access to the Cathedral of Valencia: a synthesis of the entire architectural history of the city.

Built in the XIII century, the Cathedral is in a place considered ” sacred ‘in which already had risen before a Roman temple and a Muslim mosque after. The visit should start from the Miguelete, the tower dominating the cathedral and offering a panoramic view of the historic center. But what attracts tourists is the Holy Grail: the chalice that Jesus is said to have used at the Last Supper and kept inside the Cathedral.

Where: Plaça de l’Almoina
Hot to get there: The nearest metro stop is Colón.
When – Hours: From 20 March to 31 October: from Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am to 6.30 pm ; Sundays and holidays from 2.00 to 6.30 pm . From November 1 to March 19: Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am to 5.30 pm ; Sunday and holidays the Cathedral is closed from 2.00 to 5.00 pm
Tickets: 3 Euros with the access to the Cathedral, the Chapel of the Holy Grail and the Miguelete tower

The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia

The project of this huge complex, example of modern architecture, was made by the architect Santiago Calatrava.

The City of Arts and Sciences encloses five spectacular sights inside: the Oceanogràfic, the Umbracle, the Palace of Arts, the Science Museum and the Hemisfèric. There’s a predominance of white and every element of the City of Sciences is built in a different style creating, however, a perfect harmony of the complex. It will be impossible to visit all of the complex in a single day, but it deserves the chance to spend a few more days.

Where: Av. del Professor López Piñero
How to get there: Metro lines 3 and 5, Alameda stop; or by bus No. 19, 35, 40 and 95.
Hours: Every day from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm. From 1 July to 15 December until 9.00 pm. 24, 25 and 31 December, the time is reduced to half a day.
Tickets: The cost of one ticket for all the attractions is 30,60 €

The Barrio del Carmen in Valencia

The Barrio del Carmen, during its long history, has had various roles: from refuge to barracks to a place of prostitution to medieval center of the aristocracy until being working-class neighbourhood in 1900.

Today it’s one of the most crowded places in the city, both day and night. During the morning is the shopping place, with different shops and ateliers of the famous brands, while during the night it’s the favourite place by the young people who come to relax after a day of work or study.

The Lonja de la Seda in Valencia

The Lonja de la Seda (Silk Market) was founded as the golden age emblem of Valencia and has been the center of commercial and cultural activities during the early sixteenth XVI century.

In 1996 it was declared World Heritage by UNESCO as one of the finest and best preserved examples of late Gothic architecture in Europe. This construction can intimidate everybody because it’s a huge structure, but can also seduce with the elegance of its ornaments. Today the Lonja houses the Cultural Accademy of Valencia.

Where: Carrer de la Llotja
How to get there: The nearest metro stop Àngel Guimerà
When – Hours: Winter time – Tuesday to Saturday from 9:15 am to 2:00 pm and from 4:30 to 8:00 pm – Summer time – Tuesday to Saturday from 9:15 am to 2:00 pm and from 5:30 to 9:00 pm . Sunday (all year) from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm – Never on Monday.
Tickets: Full ticket € 2, reduced € 1

The Central Market of Valencia

In front of the magnificent building of the Lonja there is a structure made of steel with stained-glass windows and hand-painted ceramics on the façade: it’s the Central Market, with its 959 stalls of fresh products

A mix of colors, smells and flavors in a modern jewel. The market is divided into two parts: on one side there are fruit and vegetables from the Valencian huerta (agricultural land area in the south of Valencia); on the other side there are meats, for example the Salamanca ham, and fish, with benches that offer real ‘cascades’ of shellfish: a pleasure not only for the palate.

Where: Plaza Ciudad de Brujas
How to get there: The nearest metro stop Àngel Guimerà
When – Hours: Monday to Thursday from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm; on Fridays from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm, on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Never on Sunday.

The Turia Gardens in Valencia

Valencia is an example of a city built on the banks of a river. The Turia river, on the one hand, favoured the urban development, on the other hand, it was the cause of many overflowing

After the last flood in 1957, the authorities decided to redirect the river’s flow, and where at the first there was his bed, now there are the Turia Gardens: an oasis of green and peace in the city centre. Among pine trees, oleanders and palms you can spend your free time here, taking a walk along the paths or enjoying one of the sports facilities of the Gardens. The main attraction of the park is a monumental sculpture of Gulliver, 70 meters long, inspired the character of Jonathan Swift. Ramps, slides and stairs allow to “Lilliputians” (ie you), to walk on the giant’s body.

Where: Avenida Manuel de Falla
How to get there by subway: Túria stop

The Bioparc in Valencia

The Biopark in Valencia is much more than a traditional zoo. It’s an innovative project in which the animal live in open spaces and the species are not separated, just like in nature.

The park is divided into three big areas: the African Savannah, the equatorial forests of Africa and Madagascar and the African wetlands. You can walk in these areas, observing animals in the wild but safely. Lions, leopards, giraffes, gorillas, rhinos, hippos, elephants, lemurs and many other animals are guests of the park which will add soon other animals of Asia and South America.

Where: Avenida Pío Baroja, 3
How to get there:
By Bus: lines 7, 17, 29, 61, 81, 95.
By Metro: lines 3 and 5, stop Nou d’Octubre
When – Hours:
The Bioparc is open 365 days a year and timetable depends on the sunlight at any time of year. The ticket office will be open from 9:30 am until one hour before the closing time of the Bioparc.
January and February:
– Daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm , except on January 1 in which the opening hours will be from 11.00 am to 6.00 pm.
March:
– From Monday to Friday from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
– Weekends and Friday , from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
April, May and June:
– Every day from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm
July and August:
– Every day from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm
September:
– Every day from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
October:
– From Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, except on 11 and 12, where the opening hours will be from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
– Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, except on 30 and 31, where the opening hours will be from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
November and December:
– Daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, except on 24 and 31 December, in which the opening hours will be from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm , and on December 25, when it will be from 11.00 am to 6.00 pm
Tickets: Adults € 23,80; Children and youngs € 18

The Harbor, the beaches and the Reserve in Valencia

After some decades during which the port and industrial activities had created disasters, Valencia has recovered the sea and beaches. The port area, now called Marina Real Juan Carlos I, has been redeveloped.

From the building “Veles e Vents” you can admire a beautiful view of the sea and enjoy the sun in total relax. From here you can start a nice walk on the seafront arriving to the beaches Les Arenas and Malvarrosa with clear water awarded by the European Blue Flag. If you love nature, in a short distance there is the Albufera reserve, the largest lake in Spain. You can get there with the line 25 of the city bus, in less than an hour and for only € 1.50 per trip. There is also the Albufera Bus Turistic which allows you to explore the park in great detail, including a boat trip.

Things to eat in Valencia

The paella is a typical dish of Valencia, and it’s better in street kiosks, like the one outside the Central Market.

The Valencian paella is made with chicken or rabbit, not seafood, although it’s easy to find the version with seafood and shellfish. The Valencian cuisine is typically Mediterranean, and abound with fish. If you move inland, you can also enjoy excellent meats, while the Valencian huerta offers an abundance of fruit and vegetables. Almonds and honey are the base of the most typical dessert: nougat. A typical drink that you can find anywhere, especially in summer, is the horchata de chufo. Do not be fooled by the name: it is not the barley water we use to drink in Italy, but the powdery juice of a river tuber.

Where to sleep in Valencia

From America’s Cup in 2007, the city is equipped to accommodate a large amount of tourists. You can choose among hotels, camping, hostels and apartments.

You just need to choose according to the budget that you have: from the ultra-luxury facilities to more modest hostels, there is something for all prices. The tourism in Valencia has increased during last years so you should book in time to get good accommodations at a great price. The cost of a 3 star hotel start from 50 EUR per night, in the historic downtown area. You can find luxury hotel for less than 70 Euros, especially in the port area and neighbourhoods outside the center.

cities of art Urbino

10 things to do and see in Urbino

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 15 Settembre 2016

The National Gallery of the Marche preserves a painting that is the symbol of Italian art: it’s the “Ideal City” attributed, according to the critics, to Piero della Francesca, Leon Battista Alberti, Luciano Laurana, Francesco di Giorgio Martini and other artists. If you want to know what is Urbino for the Italian and world art, you have to admire that painting. It embodies the dream of Federico da Montefeltro, shared by the artists around him, to build the ideal city of the Renaissance. Wandering through the narrow streets, palaces and squares, you can realize that the Duke is not gone so far from his goal. The historic center of Urbino, in fact, is also included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In a few hundred square meters there’s a heritage that marked the art and architecture of Europe for many decades. On this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see in Urbino.

If you are looking for a hotel in Urbino, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 20 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Palazzo Ducale in Urbino

Palazzo Ducale is not just a “palace”: it is a small fortified city built by Federico da Montefeltro starting from 1444.

Federico was a cultured and refined man and he wanted the Ducal Palace in Urbino to be more beautiful than other princely residences of Italy. It was not just a way to show his power: he wanted to transform Urbino in the “ideal city” and the palace was supposed to be its highest expression.

Moreover he loved the artists and wanted a place to house them and let them work . Several architects were engaged for more than 30 years to build that place. Maso di Bartolomeo (Palace of the Jole, apartment of Melaranci and part of the yard), Luciano Laurana (arcaded courtyard, the staircase of honor, the Library, the Hall of Angels, the Audience Hall, the Soprallogge , the sacred area with the small study) and Francesco di Giorgio Martini who completed the pending work. The two finest examples of this work are the “Façade of the turrets”, perhaps the most photographed point of Urbino and “The small office” rightly defined a ‘treasure chest of beauty, refinement, of perspective … “. Today the Palazzo Ducale houses the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche with works by Raffaello, Tiziano and Piero della Francesca.

Where: down town centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours:
Friday: 8:30 am to 2:00 pm (ticket office closes at 12:30 pm)
Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30 am to 7:15 pm (ticket office closes at 6:00 pm)
Never: Christmas, New Year.

National Gallery of Marche in Urbino

About 80 rooms of Palazzo Ducale are used as museum and house the works of the National Gallery of Marche.

The collection contains works from 1300 to 1600, mostly paintings but also furniture, sculptures, tapestries and drawings. The main works are located on the first floor, divided among the apartments where the Duke and his family lived. In the apartment of the Duke there are two masterpieces by Piero della Francesca: The Flagellation of Christ and the Madonna of Senigallia.

There also several boardrooms where are exhibited the “Ideal City”, the Communion of the Apostles of Justus of Gand and the Host desecration by Paolo Uccello. There is also a work by Raffaello (Portrait of a Gentlewoman) next to the Resurrection and the Last Supper by Tiziano. On the second floor there are works of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries of Barocci, Gentileschi, Guerrieri.

Where: Palazzo Ducale, city centre of Urbino
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours:
Friday: 8:30 am to 2:00 pm (ticket office closes at 12:30 pm)
Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30 am to 7:15 pm (ticket office closes at 6:00 pm)
Never: Christmas, New Year.

Raffaelo’ House in Urbino

Raffaelo’s house has only a few original works of the great painter from Urbino, almost all of them were painted when he was young, but they worth a visit because the history started there. Located in the artisan district, in this house Raffaello Sanzio was born March 28, 1483 and spent his childhood being formed in the workshop of his father, an artist at the court of Federico da Montefeltro.

After ups and downs, in 1873 the house was purchased by the Academy Raffaello and since then it houses works related to the life of Raffaelo and his time. On the ground floor there is the shop of his father Giovanni Santi, used today for temporary exhibitions. On the first floor there are copies of paintings by Raffaello and tributes to other artists to the great painter from Urbino. In the Bedroom of Raffaello there is a fresco depicting a “Madonna and Child” considered an early work made together with his father. On the first floor there is also a small courtyard with the well and the basin where the colors were grinded for the works.

Where: Via Raffaello Sanzio 57
How to get there: by feet in the old town centre
When – Hours:
During summer (March to October): 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 to 7:00 pm , Sunday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
During winter (November to February): 9:00 am to 2:00 pm , Sunday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Holidays 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. after phone verification at 0722/320105
Never: New Year and Christmas.

Oratorio San Giovanni in Urbino

Don’t be fooled by the banal gothic façade of the early 1900. The Oratory’s masterpiece is well hidden beyond the front door and is painted on the walls: it’s the cycle of frescoes of brothers Lorenzo and Jacopo Salimbeni from San Severino (1400 approximately), the most important interpreters of the late Gothic style in Marche region.

It immediately struck by the “Crucifixion” that covers the entire wall of the apse: the eyes go to the three crosses following the classic iconography rules. Jesus at the center and the two thieves to the side, but little by little you look at the details, you realize how much humanity turns around the Passion of Christ. Despair and indifference, enliven the scene, carrying the religious reality to the earthly one. The oratory takes its name from the frescoes on the right wall in the two orders, down and up, illustrating the life of St. John the Baptist. On the left wall is painted a Madonna of Humility.

Where: Via Federico Barocci
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: 10 am – 12.30 pm and 3-5.30 pm Monday to Saturday, 10 am -12.30 pm Sunday, Sunday afternoon on request.
Never: Christmas and New Year
Tickets: € 2,50

The Cathedral of Urbino

The Cathedral of Urbino is the most important church in the city but certainly not the most beautiful one. The story was not generous with churches that have been built in this place: the first construction dates back to 1021, replaced by a new church built by Francesco di Giorgi Martini, the architect of Federico da Montefeltro, who worked for many years also at the Doge’s Palace.

After the earthquake of January 12, the Roman architect Giuseppe Valadier built the current cathedral in neoclassic style. Inside there are two beautiful paintings by Federico Barocci: The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian and the Last Supper. The most interesting part of the cathedral are the caves that over the centuries have hosted a Brotherhood. During World War II, to protect some works from the bombs and the Germans, the caves hosted the works of the Treasury of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. In the caves there are several chapels and of Forgiveness Corridor: according to an ancient tradition of Urbino you could have forgiveness from sins walking in this corridor during the Easter Monday.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours:
Weekdays and holidays: 7:30 am to 1:00 pm / 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Never: Christmas and New Year
Grotte del Duomo
When: Saturday and Sunday 9:30 am to 1:00 pm 2:30 to 6:30 pm
Tickets: Museum + Grotte del Duomo € 3,50

Church of San Bernardino in Urbino

Two kilometers from the historic center, in the countryside, there is the Church of San Bernardino. The church, also known as the Mausoleo dei Duchi (mausoleum), was built by Federico da Montefeltro to house his remains after death.

Historians believe that the construction is the result of a collaboration between Francesco di Giorgio Martini, the architect of Federico da Montefeltro and the Bramante expressed by the simple style of the interior. Today the church doesn’t have any works but for many centuries the altar was embellished by the extraordinary ” Votive Altarpiece”, painted by Piero della Francesca between 1472 and 1474. The altarpiece is now known as “Pala di Brera” because it has been preserved since 1811 at the Milan Gallery

Where: 2 km far from the city centre
How to get there: by car in the direction of “Cesane sul colle” of San Donato.
When – Hours: weekdays and holidays 8 am – 6 pm
Tickets: free entrance

Helical ramps and Teatro Raffaello in Urbino

Urbino is a vertical city with narrow streets. In 1400 it was therefore the ideal place for those who wished to organize an ambush to the power people. The danger was clear to Federico da Montefeltro who commissioned, at the foot of the Palazzo Ducale Torricini, a bastion and inside some helical ramps.

Thanks to this masterpiece of engineering, the Duke could get to the ducal stables directly from the Palace. In order not to miss anything, at the bastion were added some guns that allowed to check the area under the Mercatale. In 1800 at the bastion was superimposed the Theatre Raffaello Sanzio, a choice that provoked controversy because it was considered a foreign element. Restructured in the 70s, nowdays the ramps are a slow and hard way to reach the old town

Urbino surroundings: Gradara

People who didn’t study the Divine Comedy at school won’t remember the name of Gradara. In the castle of this medieval village happened the story of Paolo and Francesca told by Dante. “Love, that exempts no one beloved from loving, he took delight in him so strong, that, as you see, it does not leave me.” He was Paolo Malatesta and she was Francesca da Polenta.

These two lovers were killed for Gianciotto Malatesta. Dante necessarily places them in the group of lustful, with a kind of compassion and understanding for her that tells the unfortunate story. Beyond the legend of the two lovers, maybe true maybe not, Gradara worth a visit because it’s a perfectly preserved village, almost unreal in its perfection and tranquillity, even though today is a bit too crowded especially in spring and summer.

Where: 32 km far from Urbino
How to get there: by car from Urbino: About 32 km towards Gabicce Mare

Things to eat in Urbino

Along with Ascoli, Urbino is the most important tourist destination of the Marche and one of the most visited cities of art in Italy.

Unfortunately it doesn’t have a very large capacity, especially in the historic center: there are fewer than 20 hotels, and some more rooms are just a few kilometers from the center. During high season (spring and autumn) can become difficult to find a cheap room. So we suggest you to book a bit in advance. As for prices, a room in a 3-star hotel in the old town starts from 50 euro per night.

Where to sleep in Urbino

The products of the earth are the undisputed protagonists of the cuisine of Urbino. Halfway between the sea and the Apennines, with Tuscany and Emilia a few steps, no wonder that you often find mushrooms and truffles.

Seasonings are good for local fresh pasta like passatelli and perfect complement for game dishes. A typical product of Urbino is the Crescia, a kind of flat bread that goes with Salame di Montefeltro, the Prosciutto di Carpegna, the pecorino cheese and, above all, with Casciotta, a pecorino D.O.P. of ancient origins also loved by Michelangelo. Among the second triumph beef, especially the Marchigiana, the local breed that provides outstanding steaks.

cities of art Turin

10 things to do and see in Turin

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 15 Settembre 2016

Turin is the many aspects city. Ancient capital of Savoy, the cradle of Renaissance, industrial capital, city of art and culture, innovation pole. It offers to visitors a perfect combination of architectural and monumental jewels, museums (over 40), art galleries, entertainment, good food, international events such as the “Salone del Libro” – the Book Fair, the “Salone del Gusto” – the Taste fair and the Torino Film Festival. The Mole Antonelliana, the Egyptian Museum, the royal residences, the Holy Shroud, the gianduiotti are just some of the treasures of the city on the banks of the Po. A trip destination for those who want to know the glories of its splendid past, discovering his masterpieces, participating in its vibrant cultural life of art exhibitions and festival, without forgetting the pleasure to wander among its markets or historical cafés.

If you are looking for a hotel in Turin, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 120 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Mole Antonelliana in Turin

Symbol of the city of Turin, the Mole Antonelliana’s construction begun in 1863 and was designed by Alessandro Antonelli to be a synagogue. In 1878 it was sold to the city who wanted to make a monument dedicated to the king of Italy Vittorio Emanuele II.

This unique building, 167 meters high, has a square base surmounted by the famous dome and spire. It was inaugurated in 1889 with the statue on the spire of the winged genius. In 1905 a five-pointed star replaced the statue of the winged genius that a lightning destroyed the year before. You can reach the “Tempietto” – little temple (85 m. high) through a lift made of glass inside the Mole. From the tempietto you can admire a truly amazing view of Turin. The Antonelli’s building is currently home of the National Museum of Cinema, the only one of its kind in Italy. Museum collections offer to visitors a journey through the history of cinema through a path on five levels: the Archaeology of Cinema, the Film Machine, the collection of posters, the video installations and the great Temple Hall surrounded by 13 chapels that tell about some great themes of the seventh art (Fantastic and Horror, Animated Film, Fiction, Love and Death, Western, etc …).

Where: Via Montebello
How to get there:
Bus: n. 13, 15, 55, 56, 61 (Via Po stop)
n. 16 (Corso San Maurizio stop)
n. 68 (Via Rossini stop)
When – Hours: Tuesday – Friday and Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm – Saturday 9 am to 11 pm
Lift: Tuesday – Friday and Sunday 10 am to 8 pm – Saturday 10 am to 11 pm
Never: Monday
Tickets:
Museum: full price € 9.00; reduced € 7.00; Youth (6 to 18 years) € 2.50; free for children up to 5 years, disable people and Torino + Piemonte Card.
Panoramic lift: full € 6.00; reduced € 4,00; free for children up to 5 years, disable people and Torino + Piemonte Card + Lift Museum: full € 12.00; reduced € 9.00; Youth (6 to 18 years) € 5.00; free for children up to 5 years, disable peple and Torino + Piemonte Card.

Piazza Castello in Turin

The square is the real fulcrum of Turin: this has always been the central point this city, from the Roman age to Renaissance. Piazza Castello, as it appears today, was designed by Ascanio Vitozzi in 1584 thanks to the Duke Carlo Emanuele I.

The square, surrounded on three sides by elegant arcades built in different periods, is the setting for important historic town buildings: the austere Royal Palace, residence of the King of Sardinia until 1659, and then of Vittorio Emanuele II King of Italy, until to 1865; the Teatro Regio; the Palace of the Regional Council; the Government’s Palace (now the office of the Prefecture); the Secretariats; the Armory and the Royal Library, containing the famous red chalk Self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci. The heart of the square is the imposing Palazzo Madama, the ancient castle from which it takes its name, surrounded by three monuments: the sculpture dedicated to the Flag – Beare, monument to the Sardinian Army, an equestrian monument that celebrates the Knights of Italy and the statue of Emanuele Filiberto Duke of Savoy. Piazza Castello is also the meeting point of the four major streets of Turin: Via Roma, Via Pietro Micca, Via Po and Via Garibaldi, one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe.

Palazzo Madama and the Museum of Ancient Art in Turin

The Civic Museum of Ancient Art is settled in Palazzo Madama, but this beautiful building has been a fortress castle. It has been also the residence of two “Madame Reali” – Royal Madams – Maria Cristina of France and Giovanna of Savoy-Nemours, under whose reign the building was enlarged and embellished. In particular, in 1718 Filippo Juvarra, architect of the Savoy house, designed and built the great western façade and the imposing staircase, undisputed masterpiece of the Baroque.

The thousands objects, preserved in the beautiful setting of the palace show ten centuries of the history of Italian and European artistic production (from the Middle Ages to the Baroque). The visit is organized on four levels: in the underground floor there is the Medieval Lapidary with stone sculptures and jewelery (XII-XIII century); The ground floor houses Gothic sculptures, paintings and precious objects (XIII-XVI century); the first floor is devoted to the arts of the XVII and XVIII century with paintings, furnishings and decor of the rooms; the second floor, dedicated to decorative arts from all periods, contains ceramics, ivories, textiles, glass. Among the masterpieces of the Museum don’t miss the “Portrait of a Man” by Antonello da Messina, kept in the Tower of Treasures and the Heures de Turin-Milan, the only code in the world illuminated by the Flemish artist Jan van Eyck.

Where: Piazza Castello
How to get here: Bus: 11, 12, 51, 55, 56, 61, 68. Tram: 4, 13, 15, 18
When – Hours: from Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday 10 am to 7 pm. Never: Monday
Tickets: 10 €, reduced ticket 8 €. Free of charge or people under 18 and disable people. The entrance is free every first Tuesday of every month.

Saint John’s Cathedral and The Chapel of the Holy Shroud in Turin

The Cathedral of Turin is dedicated to the Saint Patron of the city: St John. It was built between the 1491 and 1498 thanks to Cardinal della Rovere. It has a Renaissance style façade with white marble on which there are three portals decorated with reliefs, and a bell tower in red brick with Juvarra crowning element. Inside there’s a latin cross base and three naves with Gothic elements.

In XVII century the Cathedral was enlarged and it was added a chapel in which keeping the Holy Shroud, Baroque masterpiece made by Guarino Guarini. The Chapel hosted for long time the famous relic: the holy shroud should be the linen cloth with which the body of Jesus Christ was covered after the crucifixion and on which is bared the image of the Christ, but 1997 due to a fire it has been seriously damaged. The Holy Shroud is currently exposed in a lying position inside a watertight shrine, in the absence of air and in the presence of an inert gas. During expositions the Shroud is shown in another shrine.

Where: Via XX Settembre
When – Hours: Chapel all days of the week from 7.30 am to 7.30 pm
Tickets: Free of charge

Castle and Park of Valentino in Turin

Close to the city center there is the beautiful river park of Valentino redesigned in ‘800 from French landscape architect Barrillet-Dechamps. The origin of the name is uncertain (for someone can be traced back to the saint of lovers whose remains are preserved in a church not far away from the park), but the park is well known by jogging and cycling lovers

In the heart of the city park stands the magnificent Castello del Valentino, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other Piedmontese Savoy residences. With Maria Cristina of France, the Royal Lady who made it her favorite residence, the palace had its best time. Used for different purposes in the following centuries, today the castle is the headquarter of the Polytechnic Architecture Faculty. Other buildings too are inside the park. One of the most unique is definitely the medieval village, which is a reproduction of a village of ‘400 with fortified houses, shops, streets, drawbridge and Rocca (ie the castle of Borgo). It was built for the International Italian Exhibition of 1884 in Turin as the Hall of Ancient Art and at the end of the event, the complex was kept as a pleasant and attractive place for recreation.

Where: Corso Massimo D’Azeglio
How to get there: Bus: 9 – 16 – 42 – 45 – 45.
When – Hours:
Castle: Saturday from 9:30 to 12 am
Borgo: Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm (from November to March); from 9 am to 8 pm (from April to October).
Rocca: Tuesday to Sunday 10 am – 5.15 pm (last entry), closed Mondays
Tickets
Castle: Free admission. Reservations required.
Borgo: Free admission.
Rocca: full admission € 6, reduced € 5.

Egyptian Museum in Turin

This museum, dedicated exclusively to the art and culture of ancient Egypt, is in Turin since two centuries. The foundation of the Museum is dated back in 1826, year in which Carlo Felice, King of Sardinia, bought the collection of a French consul in Egypt: Bernardino Drovetti.

The collection, successively enriched by purchases and excavations, nowadays is made by more than 30,000 pieces, including statues of pharaohs, sarcophagi, funerary steles, jewelry, everyday objects (there are “only” 6,500 exposed ). This make the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Turin one of the richest Egyptian museums in the world. Among archaeological finds there are : the Statue of Ramesse II and the intact tombs of Kha and Merit, the Mensa Isiaca, the rock temple of Thutmosi III transported from Elessiya, 200 km at the south of Assuan, and here composed to save it from the artificial lake Nasser after the construction of Assuan’s dike

Where: Via Accademia delle Scienze
How to get there: By train: Porta Nuova station; Porta Susa station ( + bus 55,56 or tram 13 up to Piazza Castello) ; by bus: n. 13, 55, 56, 72. Metro Porta Nuova stop
When – Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 8.30 am – 7.30 pm (last entry 6.30 am) closed Monday and 25^th December
Tickets: 7,50 €, reduce ticket 3,50 , free for under 18, disable people, and Piedmont + Turin card possessor

The Venaria Reale in Turin

Carlo Emanuele II wanted the construction of the Venaria Reale as a hunting and pleasure lodge, and it’s one of the magnificent ducal residences in Piedmont. It was built to create a “Crown of Delights” around the capital to testify the power of the Savoy. Built between 1659 and 1679 on a design of Castellamonte, the imposing complex of the Reggia di Venaria developped along a 2 km axis that linked the village, the Royal Palace with the beautiful Hall of Diana and the Gardens.

After the destructions of some parts operated by the French in 1693, it was started a renovation and extension project by Garove. After him, Juvarra, built the decorated big gallery (known as Diana), the solemn chapel dedicated to Saint Uberto (the saint of hunters), and the building called “Big Stable or ” Citroniera “, magnificent examples of Baroque architecture.

The works of the Royal Palace were completed in the late XVIII century by Alfieri. In 800 it began the long period of decline of the palace (transformed into military barracks) completely ruined a century later. Fortunately a European restoration project has restored the splendor of that place of delight as it was in the past. Since its opening to the public in 2007, the Venaria Reale was declare UNESCO World Heritage Site and nowadays is among the top five most visited cultural sites in Italy.

Where: Repubblica square 4, Venaria Reale (TO), 10 km far from Turin’s centre
How to get there:
Auto: Turin ring road North, exit Venaria or Savonera / Reale;
Dedicated shuttle bus: GTT Venaria Express, GTT Bus: lines 72, 11;
Train: line Torino Dora-Ceres (Venaria stop, Viale Roma).
When Hours:
Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9 am to 8 pm. Closed Mondays (except public holidays, Christmas, who have the same opening times as Sunday), 24 and 25 December. The Palace is open (at the same times on Sunday) in the holidays: New Year (from 11 am ), Epiphany, Easter and Easter Monday, Liberation Day, Labor Day, Republic Day, Assumption, All Saints, and the Feast Saint Stephen
Tickets: € 20

GAM Museum of Turin

Considered one of the main European capitals of contemporary art, Turin was the first Italian city to promote a public collection of modern art. Founded in 1863, the Civic Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art (GAM) has a collection of over 45,000 works including paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, drawings and engravings from the XVIII century to the present, as well as one of the most important European collections of movie and video artist.

The rich museum collection documents especially the Italian art, especially from Piedmont, but there are spaces dedicated to international historical avant-garde and foreign art. The collection includes works by great masters such as Fontanesi, Balla, Boccioni, De Chirico, Ernst, Klee. Since 2009 the works are exhibited according to four thematic paths which change over time to allow the visitor to discover continually the collections. Within the GAM are also present, a video library, the Wunderkammer (chamber of wonders), a comfortable space where you can admire the works that from time to time are displayed and the Underground Project, exhibition area in the basement to study the contemporary art in relation to the culture of the past century.

Where: Via Magenta
How to get there: Subway line 1: Vinzaglio stops and King Umberto; Bus: 5 /, 14, 14 /, 33, 33 /, 52, 64, 68; Tram: 9, 15.
When – Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 to 18.
Never: Monday
Tickets: Adults € 10; reduced € 8.

Things to eat in Turin

Gourmets don’t have to be worried once in Turin. Here the cuisine is full of dishes and flavors. Excellent products, specialties, succulent preparations make Turin the heart of Piedmont cuisine. From the starters (salami, veal with tuna sauce, vegetables with the famous breadsticks), continuing with the first courses: agnolotti (stuffed pasta with meat) served with braised cooking sauce or butter and sage, and tajarin, fresh pasta long, thin, topped with white truffle sauce or meat offal.

Second courses: meat (boiled, braised in Barolo accompanied by various sauces), cheese (robiole, tome) and the famous bagna caôda, the oil-based sauce, garlic and anchovies in which you dip raw or cooked vegetables . Great desserts made with chocolate as the bonèt, hazelnut cakes and Gianduja chocolate. All with great red wines (Barolo, Dolcetto, Barbera just to name a few), white wine(Arneis, Moscato) and sweet and dry sparkling wines. And finally liqueurs and digestives: Vermouth (wine mixed with herbs and spices) and grappa made by many grapes, especially that of Barolo.

Where to sleep in Turin

Turin will never leave you without a place to sleep because it’s full of accommodation facilities: hotels, B&Bs and hostels. The elegant and refined hotels or the prestigious historical houses, where you can transform your holiday in an unforgettable experience. The recent openings of great chains in Turin, as Holiday Inn and Best Western enriched the choice and the variety of solutions. The proposals go from luxury hotels with 5 stars to lower categories with two or three stars, all comfortable and settled in the city center

The hostels are very beautiful and really suitable for young people who don’t want to spend too much. The greatest part of hostels are in the centre of the city.

cities of art sea and Islands Taormina

10 things to do and see in Taormina

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 15 Settembre 2016

Taormina is one of the most famous resorts of Sicily thanks to its charming seaside location, its beautiful landscapes, and its historical, cultural and archaeological heritage. The beautiful Sicilian town has seduced poets and writers, has attracted famous travellers, has welcomed world-famous celebrities. Visitors come from all over the world in this “corner of paradise on the earth” (Goethe, Italian Journey 1787), to see its greek-roman theater, to take a walk through its medieval streets, to admire its breathtaking landscapes, to enjoy its excellent gastronomy, to relax on its wonderful beaches. Moreover, as said the French writer Guy de Maupassant, in Taormina “everythings seems to be created to seduce the eyes, the mind and the imagination.” Who have been in Taormina knows it’s true. On this page we suggest you 10 things to see and do in Taormina.

If you are looking for a hotel in Taormina, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 80 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Greek theatre in Taormina

The Greek Theater is the most famous monument of Taormina, and the second largest theatre of the island (after the one of Syracuse). It was built by the Greeks (III century BC) who chose the scenic promontory as spectacular setting for their dramatic and musical performances.

The theatre in the second century AD was modified by the Romans, who transformed the scene and the orchestra in an arena where took place the fight between gladiators and hunting shows

From the top of the large auditorium, made by the steps carved into the rock that follow the natural concavity of the hill, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Calabrian coast with Mount Etna in the background. Suspended between sea and sky, this wonderful architectural work with perfect acoustics, hosts since many years concerts and cultural events. The most important is the Taormina Arte, the International Festival of the Arts, known and appreciated for its full calendar of music, theatre, dance and cinema.

Where: Via del Teatro Greco
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: everyday 9 am – 7 pm
Tickets: Full € 8,00 – Reduced 4,00

Villa Comunale in Taormina

Villa Comunale is a lovely and peaceful oasis in the city center. It’s rich of floral and arboreal beauties.

The beautiful public gardens named after the Duke of Cesaró, were originally a private park created by lady Florence Trevelyan Cacciola, a Scottish noblewoman who lived in Taormina in 1884 who married the mayor. Built as a typical English garden, the park was filled with a great variety of flowers and plants from all over the world but also of singular buildings with exotic style used by Lady Florence for bird watching. The most characteristic building is the so called “The Beehives”, a pavilion that seems like, as the name implies, a beehive. Ideal for walking and enjoying the fresh, the Villa Comunale gardens also offer a wonderful view of Mount Etna and the coastline.

Where: Via Bagnoli Croce
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Summer 9 am to 12 am
Winter 9 am – 8 pm
Tickets: Free entrance

Palazzo Corvaja in Taormina

Palazzo Corvaja is characterized by different architectural styles, which are a sign of the different dominations over the centuries. This palace is located in the center of Taormina, in the square that once was the ancient Roman forum and before the agora of the Greek Tauromenion .

The original nucleus of the palace was the cubic tower built by the Arabs for military purposes between 902 and 1079. Then it were added the left side wing and the staircase. During the early XV century was built the right side wing to house the assemblies of the Sicilian Parliament.

The battlements of the tower are Arabian style, the mullioned windows and the portal have Catalan-Gothic elements . The room where the Parliament used to meet, instead, has Norman style. It was the residence of the noble family of the Corvaja from 1538 to 1945, but later the Palace had a long period of decay and neglect. Restored thanks to the City will, the beautiful complex is now the seat of the Azienda Autonoma di Soggiorno e Turismo and in the halls of the first floor it houses an interesting museum of arts and popular traditions of Sicily.

Where: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: The Ethno-anthropological museum is open to the public every day, except Monday, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Tickets: € 2,60

Cathedral of Taormina

The Cathedral dedicated to Saint Nicola, with its austere stone façade, the crenelation and the huge bell tower that make it looks like a fortress, is situated in the charming Piazza del Duomo.

It was built around 1400 and it had several renovations, as you can see by the main portal of 1636 and the two side portals dating back to the XV century (the one on the left side) and XVI century (the one on the right side). The interior has a Latin cross with three naves and three apses. Six monolithic columns (three on each side), in pink marble surmounted by decorated capitals, support the central nave. The external façade is decorated by a small rose window and two single-light windows. In front of the Cathedral you can admire the XVII century baroque fountain built on circular terraces surrounded by four pretty fountains.

Where: Piazza Duomo
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: everyday 9 am – 8 pm
Tickets: free entrance

Corso Umberto I in Taormina

Corso Umberto I is the main street of Taormina. This ancient road cross the old town centre and on the north side there is Porta Messina and on the south side Porta Catania.

In this street there are a lot of shops, fashion boutiques and gift shops, delis and cafés, and it’s a lively pedestrian street where each day will take a walk thousands of visitors from around the world . Besides being an elegant shopping street, the Corso is rich of architectural and artistic treasures from different eras. There are many picturesque streets that open up here and there on either side, in which you can, if necessary, “run away” from the crowd; there are three squares bordering the path (Piazza IX Aprile, Piazza Duomo and Piazza Vittorio Emanuele) in which to get lost among beautiful landscapes, medieval churches and ancient ruins.

Where: city centre
How to get there: by feet

Piazza IX Aprile in Taormina

Piazza IX Aprile is a panoramic terrace on the sea, a delicious meeting place, and the city centre. It’s the most famous square in Taormina with its many open-air cafés, its religious and historical buildings, and the tourists enchanted by the spectacular view of the bay and Mount Etna.

In the square you’ll admire the baroque church of St. Joseph (XVII century), the Gothic church of Sant’Agostino and the Clock Tower, or Porta di Mezzo. The tower was destroyed during the French invasion and rebuilt in 1679 and on that occasion the clock was placed on it. Originally the square was dedicated to St. Augustine, but on April 9, 1860 was spread the news that Garibaldi was just arrived in Marsala to set Sicily free from Bourbons. Even if the news was false (Garibaldi would have come just a month after) the citizens of Taormina still wanted to remember that date dedicating to it the most beautiful square.

Palazzo di Santo Stefano in Taormina

The palace of the Dukes of Santo Stefano (XIII century) is considered a masterpiece of Gothic – Sicilian style with a mixture of Arab and Norman elements.

The huge structure looks like a fortress and it was the residence of Spuches, a noble family of Spanish origin, the Dukes of Santo Stefano di Brifa and Galati. You can notice some arab elements such as the decorative diamond shape strip and the mullioned windows with arches. Norman elements can be noticed into the squared tower with crenellations. There is also a lovely garden that still has the well to collect rainwater. Purchased in the 60s by the city of Taormina, the Palace now houses the Mazzullo Foundation, with a permanent exhibition of the works of sculpture and graphic artist from Messina.

Where: Via del Ghetto I (close to Porta Catania)
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: 9.30 am 12.30 pm and 3 – 6 pm
Tickets: free entrance

Isola Bella in Taormina

Isola Bella is a large island with a rich vegetation and linked to the mainland by a thin strip of sand, which sometimes, with the sequence of the tides, can be covered by crystal-clear waters of the bay.

This island is located in the charming bay after the promontory of St. Andrew, at the south of Taormina. Nature reserve since 1998, the beautiful “Pearl of the Mediterranean”, celebrated by Goethe, Byron, Dillon and many others, is divided into small terraces connected by stairs and walkways in the Mediterranean vegetation and fascinating exotic shrubs. Donated by Ferdinand I of Bourbon to the city of Taormina in 1806, the island was declared in 1984 an asset of great historical and artistic interest.

How to get there: The beach of Isola Bella can be reached from Taormina with the cable – car : Taormina – Mazzaro
When – Hours: The island can be visited every day, except Monday, from 9am until one hour before sunset . Groups of 15 people at time
Tickets: € 4

Things to eat in Taormina

Taormina ‘s cuisine is made of contrasts of flavours and brave combinations because the several dominations rule also in the culinary arts.

In traditional dishes, characterized by intense flavour and spices, you can find Arab, Spanish, French and Norman influences. There are the famous rice balls, dishes made with cod, ‘mpanata di pesce spada (rustic pie stuffed). The fish is the star of the table: tuna, mackerel, anchovies but especially grilled swordfish seasoned with “sammurigghiu”, ie vinaigrette of olive oil, oregano, salt, garlic, pepper and lemon juice. Don’t forget the desserts: a triumph of sugar, cinnamon, honey, pistachios, almonds, ricotta cheese. Ingredients used in the preparation of delicious cannoli, the famous cassata, the marzipan fruits, the colourful marzipan sweets with fruit shapes. There are also excellent sorbets and granitas. Fruit, coffee, almond, the granita is still made by hand and it’s a Sicilian specialty. In summer, people use to have breakfast with granita ca panna e ca brioscia (granite with cream and brioche). We suggest you to have this sweet experience that will make your day!

Where to sleep in Taormina

The small Taormina is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world.

From every nation, every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists come to Sicily to visit the small pearl. Taormina has an excellent accommodation service: there are about 80 hotels, to which we have to add the accommodations in neighbouring areas. During high season (spring, summer and early autumn) it can be difficult to find a cheap room. We suggest you to book in advance. As for prices: the cost of room in a hotel or B&B with 3 stars in the city center starts from 45 EUR per night.

If you are looking for a hotel in Taormina, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 80 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art itineraries sea and Islands Sorrento

10 things to do and see in Sorrento

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 15 Settembre 2016

Sorrento is the most famous coastal town of Sorrento Coast and is located on a tuff terrace overlooking the Gulf of Naples. This city attracts many tourists with its breathtaking views, the landscapes, the sea, the charming old town, an interesting historical and religious architecture, the ancient tradition of marquetry and laces.

Celebrated by poets, songs and paintings, the beautiful land of the sirens is famous around the world and is the favorite destination of international tourism. Sorrento, hospitable and cheerful, welcomes visitors looking for sun, history, art, culture and entertainment. There are many churches and historic buildings, amazing sights, alleys with small shops and craft shops. There are many restaurants and cafés where you can spend your free time, festivals and cultural events for your evenings and, of course, many beach resorts where you can relax under the sun. Discover with us the 10 things to see and do absolutely during your tour in Sorrento.

If you are looking for a hotel in Sorrento, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 120 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Valley of the Mills in Sorrento

It’s a place of great suggestion, the deep cleft in the rock dates back to about 35,000 years ago.

The valley was made by the most violent eruption in the history of the Campi Flegrei and some following erosions by water that progressively carved the tuff base. This valley is one of the best preserved in the Peninsula (there are other four), although today, unfortunately, you can see just the central part Piazza Tasso to Villa La Rupe and from there to the Porta degli Anastasi. The Valley owes its name to the presence of a mill, whose ruins are still visible, used until the early ‘900 to grind grain. The construction of Piazza Tasso (1866) marked the end of the valley activities. Thanks to its special microclimate there is a luxuriant vegetation

Correale Museum in Sorrento

“The most beautiful provincial museum of Italy”, it was called in this way the Correale Museum with its interesting collection of minor arts of the XVII and XVIII century.

The museum is located in the ancient residence of Correale family, the Terranova’s counts, with the family collections of paintings and decorative art. Opened in 1924, the museum is divided into 24 rooms with Greek, Roman and medieval artifacts. You can find also furnitures of XVII and XVIII, porcelain and ceramics of Capodimonte and other manufactures. Don’t miss the beautiful collection of furnitures and local crafts, the nucleus of the Neapolitan and foreign paintings (XVII-XVIII century) and those of the landscape architects of the so-called “School of Posillipo” (Giacinto Gigante, Anton Plitoo, Teodoro Duclère ).

Where: Via Correale, 50
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours:
From 1/ 04 to 31/10: from Tuesday to saturday 9:30 am to 6:30 pm; Sunday and holidays 9:30 am – 1. 30 pm ; Monday closed.
From 1/11 to 31/03: from Tuesday to saturday 9:30 to 1:30 pm; Sunday and holidays 9:30 am – 1.30 pm Monday closed.
Tickets: € 7

Church of St. Francesco in Sorrento

A few meters from the Villa Comunale, there is the complex of St. Francesco of Assisi formed by the church, the cloister and the monastery. In the XIV century the Franciscans erected, on the site of the ancient oratory founded by St. Anthonino, a church later modified in Baroque style.

Completely rebuilt in the early XVIII century, it preserves the architecture of that era except for the white marble façade dating back to 1926, and the inlaid door of the XVI century. The interior has a single nave with rich stucco decorations, a wooden statue of St. Francesco and, on the high altar, the painting of St Francesco receiving the stigmata (1735) by Antonio Gamba, a pupil of Solimena. Near the church there is the Benedictine monastery founded in the XIV century. Don’t miss the cloister with its arched structure, harmonious fusion of different styles due to the restoration of the various eras, with picturesque placement of plants and flowers. Besides its beauty, the cloister is famous for hosting art shows, exhibitions and musical events of Sorrento’s summer.

Where: Piazza Francesco Saverio Gargiulo
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: everyday 8 am – 1 pm and 2 -8 pm

Piazza Tasso in Sorrento

Crossed by Corso Italia, Piazza Tasso is the main square of Sorrento, the heart of city life, the emblem of a tourist reality of international fame.

Originally, the square was called Largo del Castello under the castle built by Ferdinand of Aragon in the XV century. In the XIX century the urban transformation marked the disappearance of the castle, the ancient city wall and the ancient Porta del Piano. Named after the most famous citizen of Sorrento,Torquato Tasso, the square is adorned by the statue of St. Antonino Abate, saint patron of the city. Among the buildings surrounding the square, you can admire the Correale house with a beautiful tiled courtyard , the Carmelite church of Santa Maria with its rich baroque façade and the elegant Grand Hotel Vittoria , famous for having hosted in 1921 the great Enrico Caruso.

Basilica of St. Antonino in Sorrento

Sant’Antonino is “Patron, Lawyer and Father” of Sorrento and the peninsula. To the saint who protects the city from disasters, epidemics and to whom are attributed many miracles, is dedicated the church in the square.

Probably built around the year one thousand, in the following centuries the church has been restored many times. At the entrance of the basilica two cetacean bones recall the most famous miracle performed by St. Antonino, which is to have saved a child who was swallowed by a whale. The interior has three naves divided by twelve columns (6 per side), partly from the Roman villas. The ceiling of the nave is decorated with three paintings by Giambattista Lama (1734). At the center of the crypt there is the altar with the statue of St. Antonino. Under the altar are preserved the remains of the saint patron; on the walls there is a rich collection of votive offerings, a gift of the sailors who survived shipwrecks, and paintings of miraculous rescues.

Where: Piazza St. Antonino
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: every day from 7 am to 7.30 pm

Cathedral of Sorrento

Rebuilt in the XV century in Romanesque style on an old place of worship, the cathedral dedicated to Saints Filippo and Giacomo had several restorations that changed the entire look, until the reconstruction of the façade in 1924.

The only original element is the portal marble side (1479) showing in the architrave the coat of arms of Sixtus IV, of the house of Aragon, and of Archbishop De Angelis. The Latin cross interior with three aisles, has decorated ceilings with baroque paintings by Oronzo and Nicola Malinconio and Giacomo del Po, and preserves works of great value. In the first chapel there’s a marble relief of the Redeemer of 1522 framed by twelve tiles of XIV century. In the central nave you can admire the archbishop’s throne and a pulpit adorned with a “Madonna with Child and the two San Giovanni” by Silvestro Buono (1580), both of XVI century; in the presbytery, the wooden choir is a remarkable example of the Sorrento inlay of the early XX century. Moreover in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, there is a fine wooden crucifix of ‘400 overlooking the altar with cherubs by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro. A few meters from the Duomo, on Corso Italia, there’s the red bell of five floors. The basement and the first three floors date back probably to the XI century, the upper part with the ceramic clock instead, was made in the XVIII century.

Where: Corso Italia – Largo Arcivescovado
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Monday – Sunday 8 am 12 pm and 4 – 8 pm

Sedile Dominova in Sorrento

Built in the XIV century as Domus Novae (hence Dominova), the small square building in the historic center of Sorrento, is the only evidence in Campania of the ancient aristocratic seats, a medieval institution responsible for the administration of res publica (public affairs).

The Dominova seat , reflecting an architecture of Renaissance style, looks like an arched loggia enclosed on two sides by balustrades while scenic frescoes decorate the walls of other two. Inside you can admire some frescoes, one of which reproduces the emblem of Sorrento surrounded by angels. The loggia is surmounted by a XVII century dome with green and yellow tiles. In the vault of the dome are depicted the heraldic emblems of the noble families that were part of the seat. The room next to the loggia, used by the noble families of the time for private meetings, is headquarters of the Workers Society for Mutual Aid since 1895.

Marina Grande and Marina Piccola in Sorrento

Marina Grande is a picturesque fishing village with colorful houses, boats and nets on the shore.

The village, made famous by the film with Sophia Loren and Vittorio De Sica “Bread, Love, and …”, offers typical cafés, restaurants and beach clubs. On July the 26^th is celebrated St. Anna, the patron of the village, to whom the church is dedicated.

Marina Piccola is the harbor of Sorrento, an important landing place for ferries and hydrofoils, located not far from Piazza Tasso. The port, located in a beautiful cove, was once called Marina di Capo Cervo from the promontory that dominates it. Beside the harbor there are the beach resorts that often, because of the small size of the beach, are made on stilts over the water.

Things to eat in Sorrento

In Sorrento the cuisine is a kind of art. The Sorrento gastronomy has an ancient tradition inspired by the quality of its ingredients

Natural ingredients, local products (olive oil, wine, vegetables, nuts, cheese, lemon) and varieties of food are at the base of the most popular specialties of Sorrento cuisine. Among the most famous dishes, you can’t miss the legendary “gnocchi alla sorrentina” with tomato, basil and fiordilatte cheese, cannelloni with ricotta, the boiled lobster or cooked in tomato, parmigiana, fried shrimps with a light breading. Simple dishes but with a great taste. Last but not least, the local bakery, which is enriched by the scent of citrus: lemon sorbet, delizia al limone (cake covered and filled with a soft lemon cream), baba with the taste of limoncello. It’s excellent also hot ice cream (the local semifreddo), zeppole (fried puffs filled with cream), the sfogliatella and the “follovielli”, dumplings stuffed with raisins cooked in a wood oven. To aid digestion, there’s nothing better than a good limoncello liqueur, served cold in small glasses.

Where to sleep in Sorrento

Since almost two centuries Sorrento is tourist destination of nobles, artists and ordinary people, so it has a wide tourist accommodation and good prices for all budgets.

There are many hotels and guest houses, and a large number of B&Bs in the old town centre. Sorrento is small so is not necessary to use the car to move. The town is a destination for international tourists all year, and during high season (Easter, Christmas, long weekends and summer holidays), it’s not easy to find a place at a good price. A good alternative are hotels and, B&Bs along the Amalfi Coast. In all cases we recommend to book a little bit in advance.

cities of art Italian burgs itineraries Siena Surroundings

10 things to do and see in Siena Surroundings

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 15 Settembre 2016

Among Siena’s hills you’ll see little medieval villages as an unexpected vision. A sequence of intact jewels of art and architecture. San Gimignano, Pienza, Montepulciano, Bagno Vignoni, Montalcino, Monteriggioni, San Galgano and more. Each village will be for you the most beautiful and perfect village ever seen. A trip in Siena surroundings is the ideal travel for people who love to drive gently, without traffic, enjoying the landscape. Also because you’ll need all your car boot to bring home all the gastronomical souvenirs that this beautiful part of Italy offers: Pienza’s pecorino (ripe cheese), the Nobile of Montepulciano, the Brunello di Montalcino, oil and boar ham, sausages and salami. Every village has something to offer even if it’s often the landscape the real protagonist of this charming places. So, come with us discovering 10 villages in Siena surroundings you can’t miss

If you are looking for a hotel in Siena Surroundings, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 500 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

San Gimignano, Siena surroundings

The 15 towers of San Gimignano look like a mirage in Siena countryside. They appear in the landscape offering the same view that could had a medieval traveller, with one difference, in the Middle age the towers were 72.

You can enter in the town passing through one of the two doors and you go back immediately in a Medieval atmosphere, in spite of all the tourist that walk into the village. One main road goes up to of the square of San Gimignano and then go back down, where the ancient medieval workshops has been replaced by the more modern souvenirs shops. That’s the tribute we have to pay to the modernity… but at the same time you can enjoy the wonderful frescoes of the Cathedral and of St Agostino Church, the civic museum of the town hall. An interesting break would be the Medieval torture museum in order to discover the human ability to invent pain and death methods.

Pienza, Siena surroundings

The Pope Pius II asked to Leon Battista Alberti to transform an ancient village called Corsignano into the current town.

Pienza was built in three years, it’s an example of beauty and harmony and it’s symbol of the will of Pius II to build a different and more beautiful town of Siena, from which he and his family were chased away. As in the greatest part of this kind of medieval villages the town has one big principal street (Corso Rossellino) that cross all the town and arrives in the big square. In Pienza there’s Piazza Pio II with its particular trapezoidal shape and the characteristic herringbone pavement. In this square you can visit also the Cathedral, Piccolomini’s Palace and the Town Hall, at the centre there’s a well. The three monuments deserve a visit and all along the street you’ll be tempted by all the typical products, such as the pecorino of Pienza.

Monteriggioni, Siena surroundings

The best way to have a prefect view of Monteriggioni is a walk on its old medieval walls. You can see them while arriving in town.

Nothing has changed from to the past to nowadays, they are the same walls that impressed Dante, who mentioned Monteriggioni in the “Divine Comedy” in the Canto XXXI of the Hell, when he wrote: “As with circling round Of turrets, Montereggion crowns his walls” . He used the majesty of this town to describe the huge giants Nebrotto, Fialte e Anteo into the abyss of Malebolge.

The 14 towers built to protect the city are still intact. Today this town welcomes tourists, artists and writers, who are attracted by the quiet atmosphere in Piazza Roma (the principal square of the village) where you can visit the church Santa Maria della Pieve and where you can find a lot of typical restaurants.

Montepulciano, Siena surroundings

Montepulciano repeats the scenography of all the others small town of Siena surroundings: you enter from the principal door of the city and begin a time travel between Middle age and Renaissance which ends at the top of the village in Piazza Grande.

The square is the heart of Montepulciano where tourists and poliziani (this is the name of Montepulciano’s people) meet each others. You can find beautiful buildings: the Town hall, which is dated around 1300 and reminds in its forms the Palazzo della Signoria in Florence; the Contucci Palace and the Nobili-Tarugi covered with travertine. The nearby Palace is Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo and in front of this one there’s the well dè Grifi e dei Leoni with its beautiful Renaissance design. In the Cathedral you can admire the triptych which represent the Assumption painted by Taddeo di Bartolo and the Virgin with the Baby painted by Sano di Pietro. There are many streets with aristocratic buildings and workshops that sells typical wines such as the noble of Montepulciano and local gastronomic products.

San Galgano Abbey, in Siena

The San Galgano Abbey will leave you breathless. Try to imagine a Basilica with Latin cross plan, three naves, 72 meters in length and 21 meters wide, with the intact external walls but…without roof.

During the centuries this Abbey lost its cover. It was built in 1218 and during the XIV century it reached its splendour thanks to the immunity and the royal privilege. After the richness came the decadence, and the Abbey was abandoned, even if it remained majestic. Near the Abbey, on the hill of Montesiepi, there’s the sword stuck in the stone by Galgano Guidotti. He was violent and arrogant nobleman who had a suddenly religious conversion and left his sword there as a symbolic renounce to the violence . There are a lot of analogies between San Galgano and Gawain, one of King Arthur’s knights. Maybe San Galgano was one of the knights… and maybe this is the famous sword in the stone…

Bagno Vignoni, Siena surrondings

Bagno Vignoni has one of the most charming squares of the world: which other city of the world has a square filled of thermal water that flows at the temperature of 52°C? The town developed around the big pool filled with hot water.

The village is quite small, you can visit it in few minutes and then dedicate yourself to the favorite activity of the tourists that go to Bagno Vignoni: put hands and feet in the streams of hot water that start from the square and cross all the town. Those little rivers used to fuel the mills of Bagno Vignoni (today the mills has been renovated and they can be visited) but today they are the best way to relax after visiting all the villages of Siena surroundings. At the end of the town there’s a thermal pool in which you can have a bath like Lorenzo the Magnificent and Santa Caterina da Siena used to do, the loggia on the square, in fact, is dedicated to Santa Caterina.

Colle Val D'Elsa, Siena surroundings

Montalcino is placed on the top of the hill where it dominates, with its beautiful XII century fortress, the Asso and Ombrone valleys below.

In its history there have been struggle periods and peace times, but the fortune of this town is due to the area where it rise, a prestigious zone of the grapevine cultivation. Therefore thanks to its wines like the Rosso of Montalcino, the Sant’Antimo and the celebrated Brunello of Montalcino, this town is famous all over the world.

The village is still surrounded by the walls of the XIII century and walking through its streets you can admire, among its workshops and little cafés, the town hall and the bishop palace. It’s the seat of Montalcino’s museums where you can see important works of Siena’s artists from the XII to the XIX century. There are also the churches of Sant’Agostino, Sant’Egidio and San Fracesco. If you move a little outside the town there’s Castelnuovo dell’Abbate where you can find the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, with its magical atmosphere, this abbey was founded by Charlemagne in 781.

Montalcino, Siena surroundings

Montalcino is placed on the top of the hill where it dominates, with its beautiful XII century fortress, the Asso and Ombrone valleys below.

Chiusi, Siena surroundings

Chiusi descends from the ancient Etruscan city Chamars that reached its maximum splendor under the reign of the king Porsenna, between the VII and the VI century b. C. Its huge historical and cultural asset make this town an archaeological site of great importance.

From the main door of the city starts via Porsenna where you can see Medieval and Renaissance buildings. This street arrives in Piazza del Duomo. In the square you can admire the Episcopal Palace, the bell tower and the Cathedral with the nearby Museum in which there are guarded important works coming from the Cathedral and the diocese. Just outside the church there’s the civic museum with Greek, Latin and Etruscan potteries. Since the XVIII century the town began to search the traces of its glorious past. There is also a fascinating underground path in which there are collected about 300 sarcophagi and funerary inscriptions. The real jewels of Chiusi, however, are located outside the center, in the Siena countryside: extraordinary Etruscan tombs with frescoes will let you discover the richness and culture of a still mysterious people as the Etruscans. Don’t miss the Tomb of the Monkey, the Lion and that of the Pilgrim. Unfortunately they are not always open: for information contact the Archaeological Museum of Chiusi at 057820177.

Monte Oliveto Abbey, Siena surroundings

It was founded in 1313 by San Bernardo Tolomei, the exponent of one of the most powerful families of Siena and a strict observer of the Benedictine rule (ora et labora).

Monte Oliveto Abbey is placed on a hill and it’s defended on three sides by insurmountable cliffs. Nowadays the Abbey is the seat of the Benedictine congregation and houses the Institute of books restoration. Crossing the big cloister, frescoed with the “San Benedetto’s stories”, you can arrive in the church built in XV century renovated with baroques forms. Among the great number of works , there’s a wooden choir made by Frate Giovanni da Verona. In the middle cloister there’s the beautiful fresco representing the Coronation of the Virgin by Sodoma and The deposition by an unknown artist. Then you’ll enter in the monastic library and in the pharmacy in which are conserved numerous pots of the XVII century and numerous medical herbs.

If you are looking for a hotel in Siena Surroundings , we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 500 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Siena

10 things to do and see in Siena

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 15 Settembre 2016

You can appreciate the beauty of Siena only after some days you left the city. When you are there, you are too busy to see as much as possible, so you don’t immediately realize the beauty that surrounds you. Memories come after some days: the first thing that you’ll remember is Piazza del Campo, then the Public Palace and the Torre del Mangia, the black and white of the Cathedral and the Baptistery

But, maybe, the thing that you are going to remember better is the colour of the façades and of the roofs. The famous colour Sienna, that makes the city landscape coherent, harmonious and lovely to watch. Siena it’s not changed in appearances from the middle age to nowadays and walking through its streets it’s a kind of time travel, the search of a golden age, very common for some Italian cities.

If you are looking for a hotel in Siena, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 100 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Piazza del Campo in Siena

Piazza del Campo in Siena is considered one of the most beautiful squares of the world.

It has a characteristic shell-shape divided in 9 slices, that you can admire from the top of Torre del Mangia. From the 1300 this square is the centre of Siena and it has the function of market place, of meeting point for all people during important political moments or celebrations, for example twice a year in occasion of the famous palio. Today Piazza del Campo is the tourist place par excellence, a must see of the city, full of souvenirs markets (which doesn’t damage the beauty of the place). Public Palace – Palazzo Pubblico – with Torre del Mangia is very impressive while all the square is surrounded by beautiful and impressive nobility houses. The tourist ritual in this square wants the people to sit or lie down on the ground to admire the sky in a very original position. Actually it’s a way to rest after all the ups and downs in the city’s alleys. On the top of the square there’s the “Fonte Gaia” one of the most beautiful fountains of Siena. It was carved by Jacopo della Quercia between the 1409 and the 1419, the one you can admire in the place today is a copy of the original.

The Public Palace of Siena

The Public Palace of Siena is the place of the political power of the city. Since the “government of 9” (that in 1300 made Siena a beautiful city) to nowadays all Siena’s governors lived there.

If only nine politics thought and realized these wonders, we would expect something better from the thousand politics that nowadays crowd the city halls…
The Public palace of Siena is considered one of the most beautiful civil palaces in Italy. It has always been admired for its harmony and majestic. A beauty already perceived during the construction of the palace, so much that the city government, during the works, passed a precise edict. It obligated the owners of the buildings in Piazza del Campo to build their houses observing rules of stylistic coherence, but, at the same time, they couldn’t be more beautiful or bigger than the Palace. In the Palace there’s the Civic Museum of Siena too, decorated with the famous frescoes of Ambrogio Lorenzetti which represent the allegories of good and bad government.

Where: Piazza del Campo
How to get there: by feet from the city centre
When – Hours: From 1.11. to 15.03: 10 am – 6 pm; From 16.03 to 31.10: 10 am – 7 pm; New year: 12 – 6 pm ; never: Christmas
Tickets: Full price: € 9.00 without booking – € 8.00 reservation
Reduced: € 8.00 without booking – € 7.50 reservation (boys aged 11 to 19 years, over 65, university student not members of the Siena university institutions)

Torre del Mangia in Siena

You shouldn’t go on the top of this tower, which is 88 meters high, if you suffer from dizziness , but we warn you: you’d lose an exceptional view.

Up there the spectacle is breathtaking, you can see all the city: the square, the Cathedral and all the hills surronding the city. The tower takes its name from Giovanni Duccio, first keeper of the tower, also known as “Mangiaguadagni” (Litterally: “Money eater”). He spent all his money eating in all Siena’s taverns. That’s why the tower is called “Torre del Mangia” (Litterally: Mangia’s Tower). The legend tells that, during the construction, at the foot of the tower were hidden some lucky coins. Moreover at the 4 corners of the tower there are stones on which are engraved Latin and Hebraic phrases with the task of keeping away thunders and storms from the tower.

Where: Piazza del Campo
How to get here: By feet, 400 steps to go on the top
When – Hours: From the 16th October to the end of February, every day from 10 am to 4 pm (the ticket office closes at 3.15 pm).
From the 1st March to the 16th October, every day from 10 am to 7 pm (the ticket office closes at 6,15 pm)
Tickets: 7 € – 12 € the ticket comprehends the visit to the Civic Museum too.

The civic museum in Siena

The civic museum in Siena hosts one of the most known allegories of the world: the allegory of the good and bad government, painted on the walls by Ambrogio Lorenzetti.

In 1337 the “Government of the 9” asked Lorenzetti to decorate the room where the guests were received, with a fresco that represented the ideals of the city and its governors. For the first time an allegoric fresco cycle had a civil subject and not a religious one. This allegory expresses how a good or a bad government can decide the wellness or the decadence of the society. The other great protagonist of the Museum is the “Majesty” painted by Simone Martini, the Nine asked this work to testify the great devotion of Siena’s people to the Virgin.

Where: Piazza del Campo
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
Tickets: Full ticket 7,50 €, with reservation 6,50 €. Reduced ticket 4,50 €, with reservation 3,50 € (students, over 65, military and invalids)
When – Hours: 1st November – 15th March 10 am – 6.30 pm
16 March – 31 October 10 am – 7 pm

The Cathedral of Siena

Tourists usually arrive at the Cathedral after Piazza del Campo, so they don’t expect to remain surprised again.

Nobody thinks that in Siena there is something bigger and more beautiful. Well, they wrong. There’s still the Cathedral with its black and white façade. This impressive church is dedicated to Maria Assunta. The richest jewels are inside: the floor full of esoteric symbols and religious stories: the sibyls of the history, the slaughter of the innocents, king David, Hermes Trismegist, the life of Moses and the Sacrifice of Iefte. In the left aisle, just before the transept, there’s the Piccolomini Library, frescoed by Pinturicchio, that, in spite of the name it never hosted the books of the Pope Pio II.
Just beyond the library there’s the Piccolomini Chapel, in which there are 4 statues made by Michelangelo (he worked there from 1501 to the 1504). The statues ornate the 4 inferior niches of the Chapel. The pulpit deserves attention too: there are represented scenes taken from the Bible and Jesus life, it was made by Nicola Pisano.

Where: Piazza del Duomo
How to get there: by feet in the square
When – Hours:
Cathedral, Piccolomini Library, Museum, Panorama dal Facciatone, Crypt, Baptistery
From 01.03 – 02.11 – 10.30 am – 7,30 pm Cathedral Public holiday 1.30 pm – 5.30 pm
From 03.11 to 28.02: 10.30 am – 5.30 pm Cathedral Public holiday 1.30 pm – 5.30 pm
From 26.12 to 06.01: 10.30 am – 6.00 pm Cathedral Public holiday 1.30 pm – 5.30 pm
Period Uncovering Floor Cathedral Holidays 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
Opening Sunday Cathedral just for the month of March 1:30 to 5:30 pm
From July 1 to 31 Cathedral on holidays close at 7.00 pm
Last entry one half hour before the closing time of Museums.
Tickets:
Cathedral + Piccolomini Library € 4.00
from 01/11 to 24/12 and from 07/01 to 28/02 free Cathedral and Piccolomini Library € 2.00
Cathedral floor uncovering period + Piccolomini Library € 7.00
Museo dell’Opera and Panorama dal Facciatone € 7.00
Crypt € 6,00 (€ 8.00 in the event of extraordinary events)
Baptistery € 4.00
Opa si Pass all inclusive (not including the path Gate of Heaven)
€ 12.00 from 01/03 to 31/10, € 8.00 from 01/11 to 24/12 and from 07/01 to 28/02, € 10,00 from 26/12 to 06/01.

Museo dell'Opera del Duomo in Siena

From the right of the cathedral you can access to the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (or Metropolitana), which collects the works coming from the Cathedral and the Diocese of Siena.

Impossible to list the complete set of masterpieces, but a few will be enough to convince you to visit this museum: the Tondo of Donatello depicting a Virgin and Child, Enthroned Virgin and Child and Cardinal Casini, work by Jacopo della Quercia, the Majesty of Duccio da Buoninsegna, the ten statues of saints by Giovanni Pisano which once were exhibited in the Cathedral, the Nativity of the Virgin by Pietro Lorenzetti the Dead Jesus of Sodom (great) and much more.

Where: Piazza del duomo
When – Hours: see info to access at the Cathedral

The Baptistery of Siena

The Baptistery is placed just at the back of the Cathedral. From 1325 it competes with the Cathedral for the role of the most important religious building in Siena.

For many centuries people of Siena used to be baptised under the ogival arch of the Baptistery. On the three naves you can find the frescoes by Benvenuto di Giovanni ( “The miracles of Saint Anthony of Padova” – 1460) Pietro degli Orioli (“The washing of the feet”) and Lorenzo di Pietro known as “il Vecchietta” (vault frescoes representing “the Articles of Faith”, 1447 – 1450). But the protagonist of the baptistery is the baptismal font made of bronze and marble and placed at the centre of the church. It has been created by the great artists of that period: Jacopo della Quercia, Giovanni di Turino, Lorenzo Ghiberti and Donatello. The latter realized two of the six bronzed angels which decorate the ciborium

Where: Piazza San Giovanni
When – Hours: see info to access at the Cathedral

The Nation Art Gallery in Siena

A visit to Siena would not be complete without visiting the masterpieces preserved in the National Art Gallery.

The arrangement of the works of the ‘400 and’ 500 of Siena artists is on the first floor, but the masterpieces are located on the second floor, where the works are arranged chronologically from the origins of Siena paintings until the second half of the XV century: Duccio (Madonna Franciscan), Simone Martini, Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti (“the Little Majesty”) (fourteenth century), Sano di Pietro, Giovanni di Paolo, Sassetta, Matteo di Giovanni and Francesco di Giorgio Martini (fifteenth). On the third floor are collected the works of Spannocchi-Piccolomini Collection (rich Sienese family) with a St. Jerome by Albrecht Durer and a Nativity by Lorenzo Lotto.

Where: Via di San Pietro
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
When – Hours:
Monday: 09:00 am to 1:00 pm
Tuesday through Saturday: 08:15 am to 7:15 pm
Sunday and holidays: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
St. Ansano (Patron) 1^st December : 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Never: 1 January – 1 May – 25 December
Tickets: Full price: 4 EUR
Reduced price: € 2 (European Union citizens between 18 and 25 years and state school teachers)

Things to eat in Siena

You cannot talk (and taste) the cuisine of Siena without speaking of the territory in which its products are born. The hills around the city offer oil, wine, meat and vegetables. Thanks to the farmers’ wisdom, these ingredients are transformed into a genuinely popular kitchen

The boar (especially the Cinta Senese) and the hare are the principal ingredient of crostini (slices of grilled bread),pappardelle (homemade pasta) and dishes of grilled meat. Always with the crostini (served as appetizer) you can taste various kind of boar ham and salami, pecorino (ripe cheese), honey and fegatelli (small pieces of pig’s liver). Among the soups the “ribollita” is the one that helps better to face the cold winter. Always on the table the wines of Tuscany: Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Montepulciano and the Vernaccia di San Gimignano. People who loves dessert can enjoy: cantucci (biscuits with toasted almonds), ricciarelli , panforte , and cavallucci generally served with Vin Santo(dessert wine).

Where to sleep in Siena

Visited every day of the year by thousands of tourists, Siena is one of the crowded destinations in Italy.

Luckily, the city has a great tourist organization and also a large number of hotels, rooms, bed and breakfasts and guest houses. Sleeping in a hotel in the centre can be expensive and it requires reservations in advance.

A much better chance to find a cheap room can be offered by agritourisms in the surrounding hills and villages around Siena. The price for a double room in a 3 star hotel in the centre from 90 EUR per night while in the agritourisms outside the city centre there are good rooms from 50 euro per night.

If you are looking for a hotel in Siena, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 100 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Ravenna

10 things to do and see in Ravenna

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 15 Settembre 2016

Ravenna is actually an unknown treasure for Italian people. Even if it’s not as famous as Rome, Naples, Florence and Venice, it’s an extraordinary little city which attracts tourists and art lovers from all over the world. Few people know that it has been capital for three times of three different empires: the Western Roman Empire, the kingdom of Theodoric, king of the Goth, and of the Byzantine Empire in Europe. This glorious past is also preserved in its basilicas and baptisteries where there is the richest patrimony of mosaics of the 5th and 6th centuries. Ravenna has eight monuments included on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List and in this city there are the remains of Dante Alighieri (and not in Florence as many people think…). Ravenna has a rich cuisine too and in the summertime, if you like the seaside, you’ll be few steps away from a 35 kilometres beach. To the ones who loves nature in a few kilometres there’s the Po delta, the Comacchio Valleys, the Classe and Saint Vitale’s pinewoods, and the Oasis of Punte Alberete.

If you’ve never been in Ravenna, after reading this you’ll have no more excuses. Discover with us 10 things to do and to see in Ravenna.

If you are looking for a hotel in Ravenna, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 30 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna

Looking at its simple exterior you probably won’t even imagine that in a such little space you’re going to find wonderful mosaics, the most ancient of Ravenna.

The atmosphere you breathe inside the Mausoleum is magic. The emperor Onorio (who transferred the capital of his empire from Milan to Ravenna) wanted this monument for his sister Galla Placidia. The theme represented with the technique of the mosaic is the victory of life over death according with the future use of the monument. The starry sky represented on the vaulted ceiling is the real protagonist and makes this place unforgettable. It seems that Cole Porter had the same sensation when he went to Ravenna, during his honeymoon, in the 20’s. The story tells that was this starry sky that inspired the famous song “Night and day”.

Where: Via Giuliano Argentario
How to get here: By feet from the centre of Ravenna
When – Hours: Every day from 9 am to 7 pm
Never: 25th December
Tickets: 9,50 € The ticket allows you to visit: Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Neonian Baptistery, San Vitale and Mausoleum of Gallia Placidia, Archiepiscopal Museum and Chapel.

Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna

This temple has an octagonal shape (eight symbolizes the resurrection because it’s the result of seven, the time, plus one, the number of God) and it’s one of the most important monuments of the paleo- Christian age.

You can admire splendid mosaics and the oriental art style: there are no nave and aisles in this basilica but just a central frescoed dome with octagonal base. If you will be able to stare not only at the mosaic, in particular Teodora’s face, you’ll notice on the floor some concentric circles: it’s a labyrinth, that can be found in many Christian churches. The labyrinth symbolizes the path of salvation from the sin to the purification. If you want to try to go out from that labyrinth we give you a clue: you have to start from the centre. The rest is up to you.

Where: Via San Vitale
How to get here: By feet from the centre of Ravenna
When – Hours: Every day from 9 am to 7 pm (the ticket office closes at 6.45 pm)
Never: 25th December
Tickets: 9,50 € The ticket allows you to visit: Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Neonian Baptistery, San Vitale and Mausoleum of Gallia Placidia, Archiepiscopal Museum and Chapel.

Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna

This church has the greatest cycle of mosaics in the world. The walls of the nave are divided into three distinct strips of mosaics:

the high one represents the life of Christ, the central one represents Saints and Prophets, and the lower one portrays the famous Palace of Theodoric.
The cancellation of the figure of the Emperor and other characters, covered with white drapes, happened when the basilica passed from Arian cult (for which it was built) to Catholic worship. On the opposite wall there is a portrait of port of Classe, one of the most important in the Mediterranean sea during the Roman Empire.

Where: Via Roma
How to get here: by feet in the city centre
When – Hours: Every day from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm. The ticket office closes at 7 pm
Never: 01.01 and 25.12
Tickets: 9,50 € The ticket allows you to visit: Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Neonian Baptistery, San Vitale and Mausoleum of Gallia Placidia, Archiepiscopal Museum and Chapel.

The Mausoleum of Theodoric

According to the legend, the red porphyry tub, on the top floor of the Mausoleum, is the same where the barbarian Emperor died.

Since he was afraid of lightings , in a thunderstorm day he took shelter in his mausoleum, but a lightning hit him just as he was taking a bath. Then a black horse would have arrived and would have thrown him in the Etna Volcano!

There are many legends about the death of this barbarian king who ruled in Italy for 33 years bringing tolerance, peace and wealth and who built this mausoleum in Istrian stone. The two floor structure in decagonal shape and the massive roof ,made with a single block of stone, makes it a unique monument, completely different than the other buildings of Ravenna.

Where: Via delle Industrie
How to get there: Outside Rocca Brancaleone. Bus line n. 2-5
When – Hours: Every day 8.30 am – 7.30 pm Ticket office close at 6.30 pm
Tickets: € 4
National Museum of Ravenna and Mausoleum of Theodoric € 8 (reduced ticket € 4 ) National Museum of Ravenna and Mausoleum of Theodoric and The Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe.

Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe in Ravenna

This church is one of the most impressive churches in Ravenna. The mosaics here are beautiful, the subject of the mosaics is Jesus Christ surrounded by the 4 evangelists and by sheeps, symbolizing the apostles.

Jesus face is in the middle of a cross, in a circle decorated with 99 stars. This representation is included in a paradise landscape among the sky, green grass, stones, trees, flowers and coloured birds. Today the basilica is 8 kilometres far from the centre of the city and some kilometres far from the seaside, but when it was built it was situated on the sea shore. Near the basilica there are the excavations of the archaeological site of the ancient city of Classe, seat of the Roman fleet on the Adriatic sea.

Where: 8 km from the city centre
How to get here: From the station of Ravenna by bus n° 4 or by train 5 minutes by feet.
When – Hours: Every day from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm. The ticket office closes at 7 pm
Tickets: 5 €, or the ticket that includes the National Museum and the Teodoric Mausoleum. 6 €, or 8 € the ticket that includes National Museum, the Teodoric Mausoleum and the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe.

Dante’s Tomb - Mausoleum in Ravenna

Dante’s tomb is here in Ravenna and not in Florence. Dante died in Ravenna during his exile and his body is still in Ravenna.

The Franciscans stole his mortal spoils and jealously kept them for several centuries, opposing to the will of kings and popes who tried to bring back the body in Florence. Thanks to the Franciscans the spoils of the writer has been saved from the bombardments of the second world war. There’s one thing which remembers Florence near this grave: a votive lamp of the XVIII century made up from the oil produced on the Apennines of Tuscany. This oil is donated every year, the second Sunday of September, from the city of Florence.

Where: Via Dante Alighieri
How to get here: By feet from the centre of Ravenna
When – Hours: Every day from 10 am to 6.30 pm
Never: 1st November, 25th December, 1st January
Tickets: Free entrance

Arian Baptistery in Ravenna

The Arian baptistery was built during the kingdom of Theodoric, when Ravenna was the Capital of his reign and the Arianism was the official religion of his court.

Arianism was considered from the Catholic church as heresy because one of this religion convictions was that Jesus Christ was son of God but he was considered human until the moment of baptism. The mosaics on the vault represent and celebrate the baptism. Unlike the Orthodox Baptistery, the representation here shows a Christ not coming from the East (as “Light from Light, real God from real God…”) but going in direction of the East, becoming divine only during the baptism moment. Jesus Christ is considered as a man, so his nudity it’s not censored, while he’s immersed in the Jordan’s waters and John the Baptist is baptising him. From the sky the divine dove is coming down and brings with her the light, symbolizing the spirit, on the Jesus head.

Where: Piazzetta degli Ariani
How to get here: By feet from the centre of Ravenna
When – Hours: Every day from 9 am to 7.30 pm
Tickets: Free entrance

Neonian Baptistery in Ravenna

The Neonian Baptistery was the Catholic answer ( of the bishop Neone) to the Arian heresy which has its splendour under the reign of Theodoric.

This contrast is evident if you compare the mosaic of the vault of this baptistery with the one you can find in the Arian Bapstery. The Christ here comes from the East and he’s divine before the baptism. While in the Arian one is the contrary.
Karl Gustav Jung (the famous psychologist) during his stay in Ravenna, in the 30’s, visited this baptistery and he saw a mosaic which represented Jesus Christ holding his hand to Saint Peter who was drowning. He debated long time with his partner about this image and he concluded that it was a symbolic representation of the death and of the rebirth. Only after some time, when he was looking for a photo of that image, he understood that it didn’t exist and that it was just an invention of his mind. Jung took as example that episode to write beautiful pages about unconscious and conscious and about how the imagination can change our perception of reality.

Where: Via Gioacchino Rasponi
How to get here: By feet from the centre of Ravenna
When – Hours: Every day from 9 am to 7 pm
Tickets: 9,50 € The ticket allows you to visit: Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Neonian Baptistery, San Vitale and Mausoleum of Gallia Placidia, Archiepiscopal Museum and Chapel.

Things to eat in Ravenna

Once in Ravenna you won’t resist to the abundant and tasty Romagna gastronomy.

Menu usually starts with mixed cold cuts and squacquerone (an Italian fresh cream cheese with a tangy taste), continues with cappelletti and tagliatelle with meat sauce, meat, fish and seafood or eels and frogs. It ends with a sweet mascarpone and good wines such as Albana, Sangiovese, Trebbiano or Pagadebit. We suggest you two good places to taste the local cuisine : Cà de Ven and the Locanda del Melarancio in the city centre. To taste a good piadina you can go to Piadina of Melarancio always in the centre

ade wooden toys, which are in the shops of Malà Strana and the Golden Lane in the Castle. Among food products, there are the Spa Wafers, some good home – made beer (great Czech tradition). The gift par excellence, however, is a bottle of slivovitz or Becherovka, herbal liqueurs and plum with which you can finish any meal in Prague and throughout the Czech Republic.

Where to sleep in Ravenna

During the spring Ravenna is full of students, scholars and tourists , but it has excellent tourist services organized in hotels, B&Bs, guest houses and apartments.

Hotels in the city centre are numerous and they don’t have high costs, even if you have to book a little in advance, especially during spring and autumn. Many other chances come from the hotel just outside the centre and in the suburbs. Also, not far away there is the Adriatic coast with its unique hospitality. The average price of a 3 star hotel for a night starts from 50 €.

cities of art Pompeii

10 things to do and see in Pompeii

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 15 Settembre 2016

Pompeii was one of the largest and most shining cities built during the roman era, as you can see how) the ruins are everywhere. Thanks to its large production and export of oil and wines, Pompeii became a very rich city and tourist destination for the Roman patricians. You never know what Pompeii would have become. In ’79 AD, Vesuvius, which no one knew was a volcano yet because it looked like a common mountain, destroyed the town with a violent eruption.

Pompeii archeological site is a chilling testimony of the city’s lifestyle at the time, since it seems peacefully asleep under the volcanic dust. The city attracts millions of tourists every year also for the presence of the Shrine of Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary, a Basilica that collects thousands of ex – voto. It is venerated by Catholics all over the world. On the days prayers to Virgin Mary are performed (8th of May and the first Sunday of October), the city hosts about six million pilgrims who reach Pompeii by private vehicles and organized buses. Between the excavations and the Sanctuary, Pompeii hides other beauties that deserve to be seen. Below we will tell you the 10 things to see in Pompeii without missing anything about its millenary history.

The Shrine of Pompeii

The Shrine of Pompeii’s history is a dream that involved thousands of believers. The initiative had been promoted by Bartolo Longo as a fundraiser for the Basilica’s construction, which was built thanks to donations received all over the world.

On May the 8th, in 1876, the construction began under the direction of Antonio Cua, who offered his work for free to start the building of the Sanctuary. Over the centuries, it was necessary to expand the sanctuary because the original structure was no longer able to contain the numerous believers who came to venerate the icon of the Virgin. Today, the Basilica looks as it was designed by the architect priest Monsignor Spirito Maria Chiapetta, with three naves. The two minor naves have three altars on each side, and are connected behind the apse, where there are four semicircular chapels. On May 8th and the first Sunday, days during which there is prayer to Virgin Mary of Pompeii, the Basilica cannot contain the pilgrims arriving from all over the world to attend. This important prayer is transmitted by radio and television around the world.

The Forum of Pompeii

The Forum located in the archaeological site of Pompeii was the economic, political and religious city center. It was the place where all public debates and religious events were carried out, and it was the real heart of the city.

At the beginning, it was a not a very large area, and there were few shops showing their merchandise. During the second century BC, people of Pompeii decided to give a more appropriate structure to the Forum on the basis of the task it held. The area was enlarged, some coverings were added for the shops, arcades were added to protect walking people from the rain, and public buildings were built along the sides of the square. The decoration of the Forum of Pompeii was completed with the replacement of the old tuff flooring with a more beautiful one made of travertine, the remains of which are still visible today. Once at the center of the square, the ruins of the Temple of Apollo attracts the eye. It is the most important ancient religious site of Pompeii. The statues of the goddess found close to the Temple of Apollo, were transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Naples.

The Lupanar of Pompeii

People of Pompeii, as good pagans, loved the pleasures of the flesh and didn’t have any problem showing off their passions. Many houses of Pompeii, had a secret room in which slaves of rich masters whored themselves. You could buy a little bit of company by paying from two to eight “assi” (currency of Pompeii at that time), an accessible amount for almost everyone, considering that the average price for a glass of wine was of one “asse”.

The Lupanar (from Lupo meaning wolf, because “wolf” in Latin means “prostitute”) is the only building in Pompeii built specifically for this purpose. The brothel, located in the ruins of Pompeii, was distributed on two floors, each one reserved for a certain type of customer. The ground floor made by five bedrooms, a hallway and a bathroom, was for lower class customers. The first floor, however, was reserved for the upper class customers. Its own entrance and balcony roof gave access to the rooms, and it was also decorated with a refined taste. On the walls, you can still see the little pictures drawning voracious lovers in different erotic positions, ideal for lazy lovers looking for some inspiration. At the entrance of the Lupanare, as in most modern coffee shops, there was the chance to buy condoms to use with charming slaves of the brothel.

House of the Faun in Pompeii

The owner of the “House of the Faun”, inside the archaeological site of Pompeii, would definitely have been one of the most envied men in the city. The ruins of the house suggest a huge complex, with rooms, environments, and areas dedicated to different tasks. The property owner’s identity could not be traced back by remains. The structure has been called the “House of the Faun” for the bronze statue of the dancing faun, who was at the center of one of the main halls.

The “House of the Faun” was a sort of a modern residence, in which there was also a kind of mall. The structure, in fact, consists of two large connected areas, each one with a separated entrance, connected by a series of shops rented to traders. In addition to the shops, the “House of the Faun” also had a good number of rooms, but nobody knows if they were for private use, or rented. The structure was built with very modern construction techniques: some lead plates were placed under the walls plaster to protect the environment from moisture. In Rome, there is no trace of such majestic houses, while in the archeological site of Pompeii there are facilities such as “The Villa of the Mysteries,”, “The House of Pansa”, and “House of the Labyrinth”. They are all smaller than the “House of the Faun” but just as important in order to understand the richness and greatness of the Roman ruling class of Pompeii.

The Pompeii Amphitheatre

The Amphitheater, located at the end of Via dell’Abbondanza, in the archeological site of Pompeii, is the oldest stone building of its kind that has ever been discovered. In fact, its construction dates back to 80 BC, while the first amphitheater of Rome, the one of Statilio Tauro, was built in 29 BC. One peculiarity of the amphitheater found in the excavations of Pompeii is that the structure had no basement under the floor of the arena, as the same construction of the imperial age used to have. At the top of the Amphitheatre you can see the large holes used to shore up the roof of the arena, in order to protect the spectators from the sun beating, wind, and rain.

In this way, the shows could take place at any time of the year, without having to worry about the seasons. The terraces of the Amphitheatre of the archaeological excavations of Pompeii were divided into three orders, and one of these was reserved, with no doubt, for women. This timeless place has been the scene of one of the most exciting rock history concerts. In 1971, in fact, Pink Floyd recorded their “Live at Pompeii” concert without an audience, which became one of the most memorable moments in the music history.

The Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii

The Villa of the Mysteries, in Pompeii, is an ancient roman house, located slightly outside the city and the archaeological site. It is not possible to verify the owner of this great building, also in this case, but some ruins suggest that the owners could have been some rich Roman patrician. Some people argue that the villa belonged to Livia, the wife of Emperor Augustus, since there was a statue found in the ruins representing her. The Villa of the Mysteries takes its name from a series of paintings discovered in a room of the house, which some experts are still trying to determine the meaning.

All schools of thought agree that the frescoes represent a young woman who is initiated into a cult. The dispute is about the kind of ritual that was initiated on the woman. Some argue that it is a Dionysian rite, while others simply believe that the woman is prepared for marriage. Whatever ritual to which the frescos of the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii refer , these images instil into visitors a strong subjection . The villa had many rooms, all decorated with great elegance and many of which were for dinners and social events. Even in the Villa of the Mysteries, bodies were found of people who were doing normal daily activities ,when they were blown over by the violence of the Vesuvius lava.

Cave Canem Mosaic

Maybe you have seen it at the entrance of some villas in Italy or in the world? The Cave Canem (Beware of the Dog in Latin) is one of the world’s most famous mosaics, and it’s right here, in the House of the Tragic Poet.

It has been recently restored in order to bring back its ancient splendour, after years of neglect, with a device that protects it from rain and wind, but does not prevent the view. The House of the Tragic Poet is a typical house with atrium and takes its name from a mosaic placed at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. E. Bulwer – Lytton used this house, which had just been dug (1824-1825) as a model to describe the abode of Glaukos in his novel , The Last Days of Pompeii (1834).

The Garden of fugitives of Pompeii

It is the most heartbreaking testimony of the end of Pompeii, for sure, with the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. During the excavations of 1961-62 and 1973-74, the bodies were found of 13 victims of the eruption, surprised by lava and lapillus while they were running away towards Porta Nocera. Men, women, and children, of one or more family groups, were asphyxiated by the gases and then slowly covered with ashes.

The ones you see today in the Garden of the fugitives are perfect reproductions in plaster, which enable us to understand the last moments of life of these inhabitants of Pompeii.

What to eat in Pompeii

Pompeii does not have a typical culinary tradition, and its cuisine collects the main recipes of Campania’s gastronomy. Restaurants and trattorias are scattered everywhere, but the best are in the area of the archaeological excavations and close to the Shrine of Blessed Virgin of Pompeii. Before the Vesuvius exploded and buried the city under a thick cover of ash, Pompeii was a city that produced and exported large quantities of wine and oil. In many of the villas of the Roman nobles, found in archaeological excavations, machines were found for pressing grapes and olives. The tradition, however, is a bit old school and nowadays Pompeii’s gastronomy is based more on international customers’ satisfaction, than the use of local products. In some places that are located close to major tourist attraction centers of Pompeii, you can find people from all over the world. In the days of greatest affluence, It is very difficult to find a quiet place to take a break” and have lunch , so it is better to start eating before, or eating in the early afternoon. In Pompeii, then, you will not find sophisticated dishes and recipes coming directly from Ancient Rome, but good and cheap tourist menus are offered everywhere.

Where to stay in Pompeii

In Pompeii, you can find hotels, agritourism, and room rental for all budgets, since the city is perfectly equipped to host the large tourists flow. The main hotels are located at the city center, along Via Lepanto, Via Roma, and Via Piave. The hotels are located in a short distance from the archaeological site, very close to the Shrine of Blessed Virgin of the Rosary and the Circumvesuviana station. The cheapest B&Bs are slightly far away from the main attraction centers, but for those who don’t want to give up on the comfort of being one step away from the ancient ruins, you can find also some B&Bs in the center. Prices range from a minimum of € 45 up to € 100, but if you do a good research, it is not difficult to find some very advantageous promotions.

cities of art Perugia

10 Things to do and see in Perugia

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 15 Settembre 2016

Perugia is a little jewel that visitors discover slowly. This town has artistic and monumental treasures of a rich past. It looks like a small fortified medieval village, but Perugia has a very busy city life. There is one of oldest University of the Studies of Italy (founded in 1308), as well as the biggest University for foreigners in Italy. So it’s not a city full of tourists during the day and empty at night. There are a lot of monuments to visit: from the National Gallery to the Etruscan Well (Pozzo Etrusco) , the Oratory of San Bernardino to Corso Vannucci. Below we suggest you 10 things to do and see in Perugia, the remain is a surprise you’ll discover by yourself.

If you are looking for a hotel in Turin, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 130 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Fontana Maggiore in Perugia

The Fontana Maggiore is a medieval fountain located in Piazza IV Novembre. This gorgeous fountain is one of the most celebrated in Italy and a real symbol of Perugia. The Fontana Maggiore (Main Fountain) was built between 1275 and 1278, by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano.

It was supposed to receive the waters from the Mount Pacciano aqueduct and it was built on a round stairway, composed by two basins of pink and white stone. Over the upper basin there is a bronze round vessel and three nymphs with an amphora from which the water spread out.

On the upper basin there are statues representing the mythic characters linked to the foundation of the city; the lower basin is decorated with fifty bas-relieves representing the agriculture works, and some Byble episodes, the two symbols of the city (the gryphon), of the guelf party (the lion) and of the Empire (the eagle). You can admire also two bas-relieves representing images from the Esopo’s tales (the crane and the wolf; the wolf and the lamb). The fountain has been recently restored, and now you can admire it in all its splendor.

Cattedrale di San Lorenzo in Perugia

The Cathedral, titled to San Lorenzo, one of the saint patrons of the city, was built between 1345 and 1490. Both the lateral part and the principal façade are still incomplete.

The side wall has some geometric twine of pink and white marble rhombus. The main façade is characterized by a baroque style main door, dated back in 1729.

The interior, with a late Gothic style, has three naves of the same height, divided by big columns.

The decorations were finished in XVIII century and, among these, the most important are : the “Deposition” by Federico Barocci, the polychrome window dated back in XVI century, by Arrigo Fiammingo, and the Funerary Monument in honour of the bishop Andrea Baglioni by Urbano da Cortona. In the cloister you can admire the Museo Capitolare, with important art works.

Where: Piazza 4 Novembre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: The holy mass is celebrated from Monday to Saturday at 7.20 am, 8 am, 9.30 am, 11 am and 6 pm. In the public holidays at 8 am, 10 am, 11.30 am and 6 pm
Tickets: free entrance. Museum + archeological path: full ticket € 8 – reduced ticket € 6

The National Gallery of Umbria in Perugia

The National Gallery of Umbria is located in Palazzo dei Priori, Corso Vannucci. Its foundation is dated back in 1878 and it has the richest and the most complete artistic patrimony of all the region.

The works are from XIII to the XIX century and they are organized under a chronological path: at the third floor there are the works dated back from the XIII to the XV century, and at the second floor the works dated back from XVI to the XIX century.

The National Gallery of Umbria in Perugia

The big difference from other museums is that in this gallery the works are in a little space, so they follow one another without breaks. You can admire, in one sight, all the Virgins and the polyptych represented by the Florentine painting of 1400, the masterpiece of the Renaissance and the unique pieces of Umbria goldsmiths art. Among all these works stand out the Duccio Buoninsegna, Piero della Francesca, Beato Angelico, Pinturicchio and Perugino ones. Furthermore there are some collections dedicated to the goldsmiths art, to the ancient graphic, to the topography and to the Umbria fabrics.

Where: Palazzo dei Priori, in Corso Vannucci
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
When – Hours: From Tuesday to Sunday, 8.30 am – 7.30 pm
Never: Monday, 1st January, 1st May and 25th December
Tickets: 6,50 €, reduced tickets 3,25 €

Rocca Paolina in Perugia

Pope Paolo III commissioned Antonio da Sangallo the Younger to build Rocca Paolina (Paolina stronghold) The Pope wanted to make the city safe and to create an efficient refuge as it was Castel Sant’Angelo. To build this fortified tower more than one hundred houses, monasteries and churches were destroyed, especially the ones which were properties of the Baglioni family. This family was very hated by Paolo III.

The Rocca was symbol of pope authority until 1860, then it was pulled down after the annexation of the region with the Reign of Italy. There are still visible some parts of the walls of this tower and the bastion of Porta Marzia (Marzia door). But the most interesting part of this Rocca are the undergrounds, in particular the escalator that from the parking, situated in Piazza Partigiani, run through the Rocca under the lateral door of the Palazzo del Governo (from 1870 it’s the seat of the Region government) up to Piazza Italia. In this unique scenario there are shops, boutiques, bookshops and take place some cultural events.

Oratorio di San Bernardino in Perugia

Franciscan friars wanted this Oratory in honor of San Bernardino da Siena. The beautiful polychromatic façade was made by Agostino di Duccio, who used various materials and was able to create a real colour symphony which explodes in a charming reflex game. Agostino di Duccio used an elegant stone and marble embroidery to glorify the Saint. This work is the highest expression of the Perugia’s Renaissance.

A double door is the entrance of this church which has a beautiful Gothic interior and the altar is a pre-Christian sarcophagus dated back to the IV century. It has the mortal remains of the Blessed Egidio, friend of San Francesco. Behind the altar there is another door which leads into the Saint Andrew Oratory, which has a painted ceiling coffer dated back between the XVIII and XIX century.

Where: Piazza San Francesco al Prato
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
When – Hours: The mass is celebrated from Monday to Saturday at 5.30 pm; Public holidays 12 am and 5.30 pm
Tickets: Free entrance

Etruscan Well in Perugia

This well is a great work of hydraulic engineering and it belonged to the family Corbello. It’s the result of the technical knowledge and civic level of the Etruscan population 300 years before Christ.

Its construction is dated back in IV or III century BC, but even if the date is uncertain, the dimensions of this well are sure: 37 meters deep and 5 meters of diameter. A huge construction used as water tank: here flowed waters of three aquifers of Perugia. You can visit the well thanks to some stairs which allow the visitor to reach its deepest point. The bottom of the well is covered of travertine, the same material has been used also for the covering of the well. If you pass in Piazza Danti, don’t forget to visit this incredible work of hydraulic engineering.

Where: Piazza Danti
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
When – Hours: every day 10 am to 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm 6.30 pm.
Tickets: Unique ticket to visit the Etruscan Well, Chapel of San Severo and Museum of the doors and walls: 2,50 €, reduced tickets: 2€ and 1€.

Perugina Chocolate Factory

Baci Perugina (the famous Italian chocolate “kisses” filled with hazelnut and wrapped in a multilingual love note) take their name from the city of Perugia . Originally called “punches” have become a symbol in the world.

The Perugina factory is located just outside the historic center and you can visit it. You’ll have the chance to discover the company history and, above all, to observe the production of kisses and other products (Rossana candies, Ore Liete cookies). The visit to Perugina Chocolate Factory lasts about 1h 15min and allows you to discover the historical museum, the visit to the production lines of chocolate, a beautiful and rich tasting of Perugina products, and finally to access to the internal sales point.

Where: Chocolate Factory is located 5 Km from Perugia Train Station , stop: San Sisto.
How to get there: By bus, line A
When – Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 am / 1:00 – 2:00 pm / 5.30 Saturday 10:00 am / 4:00 pm (saturday closed during January, February, June, September)
Tickets: Full € 9, reduced € 7 (13 to 17 years, groups of 10 people upwards, helper for the disable people and people over 65).
Reduced 4 € from 6 to 12 years.
Free until to 5 years old and disable people.
School groups: 0-5 years free, primary and secondary € 3, € 5 high schools

Volumni Hypogeum in Perugia

Just outside the historical centre of Perugia, in Ponte San Giovanni area, there is an extraordinary place: it’s the Volumni Hypogeum, the oldest and most preserved funerary monument of Etruscan era.

The tomb of the III century. BC, discovered in 1840, is part of the big necropolis, known as the “Palazzone”. It’s a necropolis with more than 200 tombs but only one side can be visited. The Hypogeum takes its name from the Volumni family, a rich and noble Etruscan family, of which it contains the remains. The beauty of the building is that it looks like an Etruscan-Roman period house and consists of a atrium and seven rooms.

Where: Via Assisna, 53 – Ponte S. Giovanni – Phone number 07 5393329
How to get there: By bus, line 4, 92, 93, then by feet or taxi
When – Hours: September – June 9 am – 6.30 pm / July – August 9 am – 7 pm
Tickets: € 3

Things to eat in Perugia

Perugia’s cuisine is linked to the traditional Umbrian one, and is simple, genuine and tasty. Hams, salami, cheeses and meats are the real stars of the tables.

Among the traditional dishes, you can taste the “Guinea fowl in dripping pan” (topped with a sauce made of chicken livers, herbs and white wine), the “torta al testo” (a cake of flour, water and olive oil) and many recipes whose main flavor is the truffle. Another specialty is the humpbacks parmigiana: a dish made of thistles, mozzarella, beef and parmesan sauce. You can taste also sea flavors: the tegamaccio (a flavored fish soup) is one of the most famous dishes of fish but also crabs, trout, pike and carp cooked with tasty recipes. The desserts: pinoccate, made with pine nuts, and the winepress, a donut with raisins and candied fruit, are the most famous.

Where to sleep in Perugia

Perugia is a touristic city with business people, many students and professors. There are, then, hotels, apartments, hostels and B&Bs and agritourism in the surrounding areas.

In some periods it could be difficult to find a place at a good price, so it’s better to move from the old town center the suburbs, perfectly connected to the centre by bus and towns escalators.

At events such as the Umbria Jazz or Eurochocolate, there are many tourists; so if your vacation will be during these periods, we suggest you to book some time before. The prices of a 3 star hotel in the center start from 70 Euros per night, breakfast included. In the agritourisms you can save money with prices starting at 50 Euros per night.

cities of art Orvieto

10 things to do and see in Orvieto

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 14 Settembre 2016

Orvieto has been called “the tall and strange city” because it’s placed on a tufa cliff emerging from the surrounding city. From a distance, especially at night, it seems suspended in the sky while during the day it appears placed on clouds. It’s a small treasure chest full of art and it’s famous especially for the cathedral, European – Gothic marvel, and St. Patrizio’s well, hydraulic engineering masterpiece. Small, clean and cozy, Orvieto is a must-see during your tour in Umbria but it also deserves a weekend to enjoy the Chapel of San Brizio, the Museo del Duomo, the millennial underground city and the excellent gastronomy. On this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see in Orvieto.

If you are looking for a hotel in Orvieto, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 70 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Cathedral in Orvieto

The Cathedral is a real Italian – gothic marvel and it’s an harmonic mix of 20 different artists’ work happened during more than 3 centuries. The construction started in 1290 to give to the Corporal of Bolsena’s Miracle a place to be revered, and they continued until the second half of 1500.

The largest investments were done by Arnolfo di Cambio, Lorenzo Maitani and Orcagna. Starting from the bottom, you can admire the bas-reliefs with stories from the Old and New Testament and the Last Judgment.

At the center there is the magnificent rose window and all around the mosaics, which despite being very beautiful, have very little of the original ones. The interior contains two main chapels for religion and art: the Chapel of the Corporal and the Chapel of San Brizio. The corporal of the chapel is the one of the Miracle of Bolsena, stained by the blood of a host in 1263. A key event for the Catholic Church who built the cathedral to house the relic and, since then, every August 11 it celebrates the Corpus Domini. The corporal and the host are kept in a gold and silver reliquary , true masterpiece of medieval jewellery.

Where: Piazza del Duomo
When – Hours: November to February from 9.30 am to 1.00 pm 2.30- 5:00 pm
March and October from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm
April-September from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm
Sundays and holidays:
November to February from 2.30 to 5.30 pm
March, April, May and October from 1.00 to 5.30 pm
June, July, August and Settembre from 1.00 to 6.30 pm
Tickets: Cathedral, Chapel of San Brizio and other museums of the MODO circuit € 5

Chapel of San Brizio in Orvieto

The Chapel of San Brizio in Orvieto Cathedral (see point 1) is a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance. Beato Angelico and Benozzo Gozzoli were the first artists who painted part of the ceiling, but it was Luca Signorelli to complete it.

The theme of the chapel is the Last Judgment, a story in pictures about the end of the world populated by angels, terrifying demons, sinners and people into the sky. Extraordinary scenes with the Sermon of Chapel of San Brizio in Orvieto

The Chapel of San Brizio in Orvieto Cathedral (see point 1) is a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance. Beato Angelico and Benozzo Gozzoli started the works, painting part of the ceiling, but it was Luca Signorelli to complete it.

The theme of the chapel is the Last Judgment, a story in pictures of the end of the world populated by angels, terrifying demons, sinners saved on hold and flew into the sky. Extraordinary scenes with the Antichrist Predica, the Resurrection of the body, the defeat of the Demon by St Michael, the ascent to Paradise and the Damned to hell.

Where: in the transept of the cathedral
When – Hours: November to February from 9.30 am to 1.00 pm 2.30- 5:00 pm
March and October from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm
April-September from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm
Sundays and holidays:
November to February from 2.30 to 5.30 pm
March, April, May and October from 1.00 to 5.30 pm
June, July, August and Settembre from 1.00 to 6.30 pm
Tickets: Cathedral, Chapel of San Brizio and other museums of the MODO circuit € 5

St. Patrizio’s Well in Orvieto

First of all we have to clarify the reason for the name: the well looks like the cavity where the Irish saint loved to retire in prayer.

This engineering marvel was built in 1527 thanks to Pope Clement VII. The goal was to ensure water all the time of the year in Orvieto, especially in preparation of a siege like the one of the Sack of Rome where the Pope had just escaped. The well, 62 meters deep, is entirely carved into the stone and reaches the water that is located under the cliff where Orvieto stands. The masterpiece consists in the double spiral staircases, big and independent, one for the descent and the other one for return. This allowed to make easy operations with the water. The light comes from 72 windows open towards the center of the well. If you want to find out how is the well down at the bottom, there are 258 steps to deal with. And then go back.

Where: at the end of Viale Cavour
When – Hours: January, February, November, December: from 10.00 am to 4.45 pm
March, April, September, October: from 9.00 am to 6.45 pm
May, June, July, August: from 9.00 am to 7.45 pm
Tickets: € 5

Orvieto underground city

For 2500 years the people of Orvieto dug into the tufa rock on which is built the city, building a new, underground and hidden city

Only in the last few years a group of speleologists has discovered a complex labyrinth of more than 1200 caves, tunnels, wells and cisterns. The underground city has been discovered after some landslides. Today you can discover the underground city thanks to Orvieto Underground project that bring tourists to discover this fascinating route.

Where: departure from Piazza del Duomo
When – Hours: every day at 11.00 am; 12 pm,3 pm; 4 pm, 5.15 pm (during periods of large number of tourist, every 15 minutes)
Never: December 25
Tickets: € 6

Piazza del Popolo in Orvieto

Full of cars during the day, Piazza del Popolo regains its charm during the night when lights are up and on Thursday and Saturday, when the cars go away and there is the market.

The square then becomes the central place of the Orvieto’s life, as it has been for centuries. It dominates the large space the outline of the Capitano del Popolo Palace, with the strange tower and the beautiful staircase leading to the entrance hall. Today the building houses an exhibition space and an area for meetings and events. If you manage to get in, enjoy the exhibition of the fifteenth century, where the four hundred members, who ruled the city, used to meet.

Museo dell’Opera del Duomo in Orvieto

The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (MODO) actually consists of four small spaces, including the Chapel of San Brizio, the Church of Sant’Agostino and the Library Albèri.

The papal palaces deserve a visit, because there are few but exceptional works collected in the so-called Wonderland Rooms. A small path, from the thirteenth century to the first half of the seventeenth century in which stand out the great Enthroned Madonna and Child by Coppo di Marcovaldo, two works by Simone Martini (Madonna and Child with Angels and Madonna with Child and Saints Mary Magdalene, Domenico, Pietro and Paul). There is also a beautiful Magdalene by Luca Signorelli, the same artist of the Chapel of San Brizio.

Where: Piazza del duomo
When – Hours: from November to February 10 am -1 pm / 2-5 pm (closed Tuesdays)
April to September from 9.30 am to 7 pm
October and 10 am to 5 pm March (closed Tuesdays)
Tickets: Cathedral, Chapel of San Brizio and other museums of the MODO circuit € 5

Torre del Moro in Orvieto

Let’s start with the name: the Moro was the owner of the building under the tower, his name was Roberto de Sante or Gualtiero called the Moro. Over the centuries the tower belonged to different owners but especially to the Papacy which in 1515 sold it along with other church buildings.

Today it’s a cultural center, but, above all, a place from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Duomo and the rooftops of Orvieto. To get to enjoy this view, though, you have to face 250 steep steps. At the top, watching the landscape, your company will be the android playing the two bells. The clock, a reference point for Orvieto and tourists, began to work in 1885 and is still there.

Where: Piazza del Duomo
When – Hours: November to February: from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm
March, April, September, October: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
May-August: 10.00 am – 8:00 pm

The Albornoz Fortress Orvieto

Anyone who has seen Orvieto at least for once, even from the A1 highway , understands that the rock on which the town is built is already a natural fortress.

It was not easy for the invaders to climb up through the few available roads. Nevertheless, in 1359 began the building of the Albornoz fortress that the ruling families were challenging for centuries. Destroyed and rebuilt several times, the fortress was permanently rebuilt only in 1450 when Orvieto subjugate itself to the papacy. The decline by the way continued through the centuries and nowadays there are little remains of the original structure. Today it houses the public gardens and is the ideal place for a break with views of the surrounding valley.

Where: close to St Patrizio’s well
When – Hours: always
Tickets: free entrance

Things to eat in Orvieto

You can start with umbricelli, pasta made by flour and water, egg and wine, so thick that the people of Orvieto season it “all’arrabbiata”, with truffles, mushrooms or according to the creativity of local chefs.

Among the second courses you can taste many cold cuts, excellence of Umbria, the meat Chianina and boar. Some baked goods have to be tasted, including the “lumachella” with cheese, bacon, ham, pepper and the “Easter cake”, with eggs and pecorino cheese. A local peculiarity is the Pera Monteleone, also called the “Farmer’s steak” for its consistency. Among the wines, the master is the Orvieto DOC where, the protagonist is the Grechetto grape and the Aleatico and cabernet. Among the desserts don’t miss the dots with almonds and wine buns.

Where to sleep in Orvieto

Orvieto is a must of every holiday in Umbria, so it has a long tradition in tourism and a well-organized reception system.

Hotels in the center are numerous but usually have high costs and you have to book a little in advance, especially during spring and autumn. Many more possibilities come from the hotel in the lower part of Orvieto in the surrounding countryside where you can save money and enjoy the green. The average price of a 3 star hotel for one night starts from 40 €.

cities of art Naples

10 things to do and see in Naples, Italy

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 14 Settembre 2016

The legend tells that the origin of Naples is due to the mermaid Parthenope. That’s why this city keeps the features of an hybrid. Naples is characterized by opposites: good and evil, joy and sadness, beauty and decay. This continue struggle between the two spirits of the city is clear at first sight: in this city you can find both historical memories in the National Archaeological Museum and in the Royal Palace and the worst marks of modernity: chaos and traffic. The religious devotion to San Gennaro is mixed up with the pagan soul of the city, symbolized by the Underneath Naples (Napoli Sotterranea), and San Severo Chapel (Cappella Sansevero), between the “capuzzelle” (which are skulls) and the alchemy of Veiled Christ.

You’ll find, moreover, breath-taking glimpses and unique way of life, held up by rules that can be applied only here and nowhere else. Naples is a big, free and open theatre even though it isn’t always funny or beautiful. If you want to discover this city you just need to go around, but if you don’t want to miss the best, start to read the 10 things to do and see in Naples.

If you are looking for a hotel in Naples, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 700 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Spaccanapoli in Naples

Spaccanapoli is a street that goes through the historical centre of Naples, from Quartier Spagnoli to Forcella.

It divides the city in two parts (the name Spaccanapoli means literally “Splitter – Naples”). This street has very ancient origins: it’s one of the three decumani, the nearest to the sea (the “decumani” were three streets that ran through the city, built by the ancient Greeks). Walking through Spaccanapoli you’ll meet the thousand-year history of the city . Here you can find ancient buildings, churches and you can even smell flavors of the typical Neapolitan cuisine. Don’t be astonished by anything: the experience of walking through Spaccanapoli will let you see wonderful churches, the “bassi” (the “bassi” are poor houses with the entrance door at street level), artists, artisans and street vendors. During the last years little hotels and B&Bs began to rise on this street allowing tourists to live the city like the Neapolitans do. Spaccanapoli is a narrow alley where Neapolitans, tourists and motorcycles coexist (not always in a peaceful way). In spite of appearances there’s no place in Naples that can describe you the soul of this city more and better than this one. The essence of Naples here is revealed without tricks. Spaccanapoli isn’t a touristic postcard: Spaccanapoli is Naples.

Where: city centre
How to get there: Subway line 2. Montesanto stop

The Cappella San Severo and the Veiled Christ in Naples

The Veiled Christ is one of the most fascinating and mysterious statues you can see in Naples.

The story tells that the marble veil that recovers the statue is a real veil transformed in marble thanks to a special mixture made by the sinister Prince of San Severo, illustrious alchemist. Many experts support the theory that the amazing effect of the statue is due to the talent of the sculptor Giuseppe Sanmartino, who realized the Veiled Christ. The secret room and some macabre works (both open to the public) contributed to give to the Chapel a mysterious aura. The Chapel deserves a visit not only for the Veiled Christ, but also for other works . This place is a secret jewel hidden among Naples alleys and it’s rich of esoteric and religious signs.

Where: city centre
When – Hours: Weekdays from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm, Sunday and Public holiday from 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
Never: Every Tuesday
Special openings:
Sundays from December 6, to January 3 : 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Monday, December 7 : 09:30 to 19:30
Tuesday, December 8 : 09:30 to 19:30
Thursday, December 24: 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Friday, December 25 : Closed
Saturday, December 26 : 09:30 to 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 31 : 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Friday, January 1 : 09:30 to 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 6 : 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Full ticket 7 €, reduced ticket 5 €
How to get here: by feet from Spaccanapoli

Archeological Museum in Naples

Originally the museum was an horse riding school, then the location of the University. The Archeological Museum was inaugurated in 1816 and nowadays it’s one of the most important museums of the world because of the quality and quantity of works exposed.

The king Ferdinando wanted a place consecrated to the arts and after two centuries his will has been done. The Museum hosts a collection of archeological finds coming from Pompei, a great number of sculptures, artefacts and arts of the Greek – Roman age, the Etruscan and Egyptian collection (the Borgia’s collection) and an interesting antique coin collection (Santangelo’s collection).You can’t miss the secret chamber (“Gabinetto Segreto”) where there’s the collection of erotic frescoes and sculptures.

Where: city center
When – Hours: Every day from 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Never: Every Tuesday, 1st January, 25th December
Tickets: Full ticket 8 €, Reduced ticket 4 €
How to get there: Bus 201 or the line 2 of the subway, stop: Piazza Cavour. Line 1 stop: Museo

Plebiscito and the Royal Palace of Naples

Piazza del Plebiscito is the symbol of Naples. Over the centuries it has been transformed from simple country place into meeting place of Neapolitan people: here were held the medieval tourneys and feasts of the Borbone’s family to avoid conflicts with the people.

Today is the symbol of the new “Neapolitan Renaissance”. It’s free from cars and people use to have long walks in order to admire two jewels: the neoclassical colonnade of the church of San Francesco di Paola and Royal Palace. The latter was built in the late 1500s when the possible visit of King Philip III in Naples created some excitement. The city in fact, had no place to host the most powerful man in the world. After endless thoughts, the viceroy Don Fernando, ordered the construction of a residence for the guest. The Royal Palace was commissioned to Domenico Fontana in 1600, which built it in only two years. Too bad, that the capricious King Philip III changed his mind without warning: he put back his visit to Naples until a later date. You are luckier than the King, and you can visit the Royal House, the Royal Chapel, the gardens and the little court theatre.

Underground Naples and Bourbon Gallery

For a long time the area underneath Naples has been a tuff reserve, the stones extracted in this enormous cave were used to build the city. Therefore below the street level there is plenty of tunnels and caves. “Napoli Sotterranea” (Underground Naples) tells us about a parallel life of the city that takes place under our feet. People used this underground city in many different ways, for example as an air-raid shelter during the second world war, water source, landfill, and place where criminals used to hide themselves.

In the last decades it has been started a restoration work of Napoli Sotterranea that today you can visit on two main paths: Via dei Tribunali leads to the classic route through the Greek-Roman aqueduct, air-raid shelters, the War Museum, gardens and underground the Seismic Station “Arianna”. It’s particular, instead, the visit that starts nearby Roman Theater of Nero: the access is from a private home where a moving bed shows you a trapdoor!

Always dug underground but for different reasons is the Bourbon Gallery, built in 1853 by Ferdinand II of Bourbon. It had many goals: an underground viaduct to join the Royal Palace with Piazza Vittoria, a quick access to the Royal Palace by the troops and an escape to the sea for Neapolitan kings. The Gallery has played over time, the role of anti-aircraft shelter and legal deposit: along the way, then, there are wells, tanks, cavities, the remains of everyday life during the war, huge fragments of statues and old vehicles from the 50 , 60’s and ’70.

Where: Via dei Tribunali, piazzetta San Gaetano
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
When – Hours: 10 am to 6 pm . Thursday at 9 pm, mandatory reservation, minimum 10 people
Tickets: € 10

Gallery

Where:
2 entrances: Vico del grottone n. 4 close to Piazza del Plebiscito or Parcheggio Morelli in Via Morelli
How to get there: by feet in the city centre
When – Hours: From Friday to Sunday and holidays 10 am / 12 am / 3.30 pm / 5.30 pm
Tickets: € 10

Capodimonte Museum in Naples

In 1738 Charles of Bourbon decided to transform his hunting lodge located in the wood of “Capo di monte” in a Royal Palace – Museum in order to host the Farnese Collection received from his mother. In fact, even today, walking through the big halls of the building, it seems that the Bourbon family went out of the house just before our entrance.

The museum has three floors: at the first floor you can find the historical apartment and the rich Farnese collection with works by Tiziano, Masaccio, Botticelli, Rafaello, Guido Reni, Brueghel the Elder, Andrea del Sarto and many others. On the second floor there is a gallery with works from 200 to 700: Ribera, Goya, Pinturicchio, Vasari, Mattia Preti, Ribera and the extraordinary “Flagellation of Christ” by Caravaggio. On the third floor there’s the collection of the XIX century and contemporary art with works by internationally famous artists: Andy Warhol, Mimmo Jodice, Alberto Burri, Mario Merz, Joseph Kosuth, Enzo Cucchi, Michelangelo Pistoletto. There are also the collections of everyday objects used in the Bourbon Palace. If you feel still strong, at the exit there’s a beautiful park with a magnificent Belvedere over the city, not surprisingly called by the Neapolitans “the view of Naples.”

Where: Via Miano, Naples
When – Hours: Every day from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm. Last entry at 6.30 pm
Never: Every Wednesday, 1st January and 25th December.
Tickets: Full ticket 7.50 €, after 2 pm € 6.50 reduced ticket 3.75 €.
How to get here:
BUS: ANM 178 stop: Capodimonte
BUS: ANM R4 stop: Capodimonte
BUS: ANM C63 stop: Capodimonte

The artistic subway of Naples

It could be strange that in a city rich of history as Naples, some subway stations are in the list of things to see. When you visit one of the station of the Line 1 and 6 , you’ll understand why. A real contemporary art museum

The route can start from the new Garibaldi station linked to the Naples Central Station. Here, the French town planner Perrault has designed a station with escalators suspended with predominant glass and steel. You can reach the University station , where the Egyptian architect Rashid was inspired by digital languages with an extraordinary sculpture called “synapses”. There is the Town Hall and then Toledo, considered the most beautiful railway station in Europe. With the work Relative light of Robert Wilson it’s illuminated by extraordinary light on the color of the blue. Don’t miss Dante, Museo, Materdei and the others. More than 200 works by contemporary artists to be admired with a metro ticket. A single route in the world, not to be missed.

The Cathedral and Treasure of San Gennaro

In via Duomo there’s the façade of the neapolitan Cathedral, place dedicated mainly to the cult of San Gennaro. Rich of powerful neapolitan families chapels, the Cathedral is adorned by Luca Giordano paintings representing the Apostles, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church.

The Cathedral is first of all the place where there is the Chapel and the Treasure of San Gennaro. This should let you understand how strong is the connection between Naples and San Gennaro. It’s an innate and shared feeling, which over the centuries has passed through prohibitions and restrictions, getting its strength from time to time. San Gennaro is considered by the Church a “B Series” saint, but it’s not for Neapolitans. The Chapel and the treasure are the most immediate and important evidence of this love for “Yellow Face”, the name used by Neapolitans to call the Saint. The Chapel has a gate of Cosimo Fanzago, Domenichino’s frescoes and works by Ribera. The Treasure of San Gennaro has finally found a place in a location next to the Cathedral and collects relics and precious objects, which have become oracles of faith. The Treasure includes also statues, chandeliers and several silver objects, that devotees have jealously protected during the numerous raids of the city. This is a proof of how Neapolitans consider San Gennaro a comforting presence, like it was a dear neighbor. A neighbor to visit in times of need, but also when you just want to have a little chat.

Where: Via Duomo
How to get there: By feet in the city centre
Subway 2 stop: Cavour
Subway 1 stop: Museo
When – Hours: Every day from 9 am to 5 pm.
Tickets: € 5

Things to eat in Naples

If you have tasted the pizza in other places in Italy and you’re disappointed, you asked for it! Pizza is good only in Naples. Many people pass off unrealistic round, short and salty cakes as Neapolitan pizza.

The real one is made with few ingredients, and respect almost divine laws. Water, flour, salt, and yeast for a thin dough with high and tasty borders. Despite the variations, the original pizza is the “Margherita”, invented by the pizza maker Raffaele Esposito in honor of the Queen. Esposito seasoned with tomato, mozzarella, olive oil and basil, inventing one of the best, patriotic and envied around the world dishes.

In Naples, the pizza is great everywhere: if you want to look for a place where the food is bad, it will not be easy to find. Obviously the Neapolitan cuisine is not just pizza: it’s something extraordinary, a true symphony of flavors, colors and calories. Think about a dish: it was born almost certainly in Naples. Spaghetti, meat sauce, lasagna, pasta with seafood, fried fish, chops and fried, sweet and savory pies, pastries, baba, struffoli, pastiere and then … and then … Take a seat and enjoy.

Where to sleep in Naples

In the past few years, Naples has become a fast-growing tourist destination. Everywhere, in the old town centre, small hotels and B&Bs rose up

Prices are still quite low and warm and genuine hospitality of Naples attracts millions of tourists in the city. A 3 star room starts from 50 Euros per night, the price is higher for the most exclusive seafront hotels. The city is especially busy during the holidays of Spring, in every weekend, Christmas and in the summer and autumn months. You should book in advance to find the best place with acceptable prices

If you are looking for a hotel in Naples, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 700 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Barcelona cities of art

10 things to do and see in Barcelona

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 14 Settembre 2016

Barcelona is not the city of the Movida. “When you sleep outdoors you always wake up at dawn, and there isn’t a café in Barcelona which is open before nine,” wrote George Orwell. People of Barcelona don’t go to sleep late and wake up late, but they take it easy: during the evening all places close early and on Sunday the city is empty. The nightlife is concentrated in few areas of the city, especially in the Gothic Quarter. So, if someone told you it was a city that never sleeps and you have already bought a flight, chin up! There are many things to see and do in Barcelona. Here are the 10 most important ones that you should not miss.

If you are looking for a hotel in Barcelona, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 2200 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

La Rambla in Barcelona

La Rambla in Barcelona is the long avenue from Plaza de Catalunya to the statue of Columbus, few meters from the sea.

Here you can meet, night and day, tourists and people of Barcelona, street artists looking for fortune and thieves looking for of victims. You can start your visit of La Rambla from the sea, passing under the Mirador of Columbus, or from Plaça de Catalunya.

In both cases, don’t forget to drink some water at the Fountain of Canaletes (it’s said that it ensures a return to Barcelona) and walk into the colors and smells of Rambla de les Flores, kingdom of florists in Barcelona.

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

If you find your way among the tourists, you’ll find that La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is truly an extraordinary work. It’s not important that it’s incomplete (this is just a big marketing operation that has lasted for a century) but it’s amazing what is already there.

On the façades there is the story of Jesus, from birth until death. In the interior there is the heavenly Jerusalem, inhabited by the Lamb, the son of God who has finished his earthly suffering and lives in Paradise, finally rescued. La Sagrada Familia is a huge Christian symbol, a sort of biblical story. The fact that you have to pay € 9 to look some bags of cement inside, it’s another matter.

The Gothic Quarter in Barcelona

Bookstores and antique shops, cafés and restaurants, populate the streets of this neighbourhood which has been always the centre of Barcelona life. Above the district stands the spire of the Cathedral of Barcelona, dedicated to Santa Eulalia.

To discover the Gothic Quarter there isn’t a recommended route: you’d better to wander around the streets, without forgetting Plaça Reial (restaurants, bars and tourists) and Carrer Montcada, that houses the Picasso Museum. Wandering around the Gothic Quarter you could see from some sheets with various insults in Catalan: the residents don’t want anymore tourists and tipsy musicians in the neighborhood

For a stop, day and night, you can choose Els Quatre Gats (The Four Cats), a hostel that opened in Barcelona in 1897 which became one of the meeting points of the artists of the city hosting also the first two individual exhibitions of Picasso. The food is not great, but you can eat outside in the history of art.

The Boqueria Market in Barcelona

Lively and colorful as a Neapolitan market, ordered as a Swiss one, with the choice of products like a mall. It’s the Boqueria, the largest market in Barcelona and Spain, which is located at number 91 of La Rambla. A large iron building houses kiosks of all types: vegetables, fish, sweets, meat, ruled by women in traditional costume.

People who have seen Italian markets, will be surprised by the beauty of the kiosks and the perfect arrangement of the products. While enjoying this show, watch out for pickpockets in every corner. If you are in an apartment and want to buy something to cook, go to the Boqueria early and keep an eye on the people of Barcelona, who know what and where to buy. If you are looking for something to munch, choose the bench of dried fruit or that of fresh smoothies.

The Barcelona Cathedral

Barcelona Cathedral is dedicated to Santa Eulalia and to the Holy Cross, and this explains a lot. First of all, the presence of the crypt dedicated to the saint, with his remains and a sarcophagus that tells the foundation of Barcelona by Hercules. So far, so clear. Then there is a cloister, with the Fountain of Eden. Here it gets complicated, because the cloister is “defended” by 13 white geese.

What are they doing here? The origin is uncertain, but the legend tells that they represent the 13 years of Eulalia (300 d.C) martyr girl who was sacrificed where today stands the cathedral. The Cathedral is dedicated to the Holy Cross, the crucifix above the altar is of the XV century. In 1571 it was hoisted on the ship of John of Austria as a banner during the Battle of Lepanto against the Turks. It seems that during the battle the crucified Christ has moved to avoid a cannonball. This would explain the strange shape which assumed.

Barceloneta and Port Vell in Barcelona

After the Olympics in 1992 there is a part of Barcelona which has been lost for ever: old docks and warehouses on the harbor, a place of illegal traffic and prostitutes. This area coincided with the end of the Rambla and the Old Port area, now replaced by a shopping mall and technological attractions with an Imax theater and an aquarium.

It remains the Barceloneta, the old fishermen’s quarter, the same as it was in the past. It’s the place where you go to eat fish, “Pan and Tomate” (bread and tomato) and “bomb”, a croquette stuffed with meat and spicy sauce. The hanging clothes (and the cars parked on the sidewalks) make it looks like Naples, especially in summer, when the traffic doesn’t stop and people use to stay on the beach until dawn.

The Raval Quarter in Barcelona

The Raval is a neighborhood that we can define “Ex” . There is an ex-name: it was called Barrio Chino (Chinese Quarter) because at the beginning of 1900 it was the ghetto where chinese people lived marginalized. The ex-district of prostitutes, who used to meet here the Barcelonians in search of cheap physical fun. It ‘also the ex-thieves district: until a few years ago it wasn’t possible to enter the Raval without being delinquents and well-armed.

It’s also the district of ex-bullfighters, who for good luck before each corrida, came to spend the night in the Barrio Chino. Today the Raval is a fashionable area: fashion cafés, ethnic restaurants, immigrants shops, trendy artists have made this maze of alleys, their home. There is the MACBA, the Museum of Contemporary Art that attracts tourists by day and that started the rebirth of the neighborhood. But the old Barrio Chino is not lost at all : there are still some streets where is better not to enter. There are still some thieves ready to make your wallet your ex-wallet.

The works of Gaudi in Barcelona

Some people go to Barcelona just to admire the works of Gaudi, others suddenly find them walking around the city. You can admire the works of this artist with his head in the clouds, visionary and eccentric, the most bizarre expression of Barcelona. Its houses (Pedrera, Batlló) and its gardens from comic architecture and brightly colored (Park Guell) halfway between dream and reality, will follow you during your walks in Barcelona.

The most famous work of Gaudi is the Expiatory Temple of La Sagrada Familia, to which the artist dedicated himself with all his heart until the day of his death, happened because of a tram that invested while he was walking.

Things to eat in Barcelona

If you can get away from the tourist trap menu (especially on La Rambla) you’ll understand that the cuisine of Barcelona is part of the great cuisines of the world.

From 11 am in the streets there is the smell of basic recipes in Barcelona: sofrito (oil, tomato, garlic and onion) samfaina (tomato, red pepper and eggplant ), the picada / romesco (toasted almonds, parsley, pine nuts, cinnamon and saffron) and allioli (a sauce made only with garlic and oil). These are the basics, but people of Barcelona can build around them a real show. Seafood and fresh fish arrive daily; meat comes from the surrounding countryside, even with generous wine (3 DOCG, Priorat, Penedès, Alella) and the cava (champagne, although it can’t be called champagne because the French could get angry). For dessert, some clichés: a creme brulee and the ricotta with honey.

Where to sleep in Barcelona

Barcelona is a destination all year and it’s equipped to accommodate the constant flow of tourists coming from all over the world.

The hotels are well placed in the city and scattered everywhere, the difference is of course in the price. In Rambla area, Gothic quarter, Barceloneta, there is a good number of hotels, rooms, apartments, with fairly high prices. If you want to spend less, you can move into a little more external areas, such as the Eixample and the Diagonal, from which you can still move easily thanks to the subway

If you are looking for a hotel in Barcelona, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 2200 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Assisi cities of art

10 things to do and see in Assisi

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 14 Settembre 2016

“Assisi is a beautiful thing, country, city and sanctuary”, wrote Giosuè Carducci (Italian poet). Country, because it has all the characteristics of an Umbrian village: on the top of a hill overlooking the valley. City because Assisi played a key role in world history: from here St. Francesco moved to change (or at least try) the church. Sanctuary, because there are many small and big churches, sacred places and crypt consecrated to St. Francesco and St. Clara. Besides religious places, where you can admire some masterpieces by Giotto and Simone Martini, Assisi has a beautiful Rocca, a rich Art gallery, an extraordinary Temple of Minerva and the spectacular Piazza del Comune. You’ll find also a great tradition of hospitality and gastronomy with excellent products. We think that these are good reason to visit this town and we suggest you 10 things to do and see in Assisi.

If you are looking for a hotel in Assisi, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 180 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Cathedral of San Francesco in Assisi

On July 16, 1228 Gregory IX declared the friar Francesco a Saint and the next day began the construction of the Cathedral of St Francesco. In 1230 the basilica was ready.

It looks like a unique stronghold but is actually composed of two churches: the lower Basilica, the upper one and a crypt with the tomb of the Saint. In the two churches it was written the history of Italian art: Cimabue, Giotto, the Lorenzetti brothers and Simone Martini worked there. Among the many works : the complete cycle of the Stories of St. Martin painted by Simone Martini; the Chapel of Mary Magdalene by Giotto; in the transept there is a fresco by Cimabue and eight Childhood Stories of Christ painted by Giotto. In the upper church, there are the famous frescoes by Giotto illustrating, in 28 paintings, St. Francesco’s life. In the lower church there is the crypt with the remains of St. Francesco. Simple, dug into the wall and circular as the Holy Sepulchre, there’s the stone urn. Above the tomb burns a lamp with the oil offered every year by a different Italian region.

Where: old town centre
How to get there:
By feet from the old town centre
By car: find a parking close to Piazza Giovanni Paolo II
When – Hours:
Winter:
UPPER CHURCH from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm (5.45 pm last entrance)
LOWER CHURCH AND TOMB from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm
(The lower church is open until 7.30 pm , except on Wednesdays, only for prayer)
Summer:
UPPER CHURCH from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm (6.45 pm last entrance)
LOWER CHURCH AND TOMB from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm
(The lower church is open until 8:00 pm , except on Wednesdays, only for prayer)
The Tomb is open on Friday and Saturday from 9 to 10 pm only for personal prayer
Tickets: Free entrance

The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Porziuncola in Assisi

4 km from the center of Assisi you can find the second church in Assisi related to St. Francesco: the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Porziuncola was built to protect some emblematic places in the life of the saint.

First of all the Porziuncula was the church where St Francesco composed the Canticle of the Creatures, and where he died on October 3, 1226. The church takes its name from “Portiuncula”, which literally means the small portion of land on which it was placed. This church was restored by the Saint who made it the center of the Franciscanism: here he had a vision in which Jesus gives the Indulgence known as “Indulgence of the Portiuncula” or “Forgiveness of Assisi”, then approved by the Pope Honorius III.

In the Basilica there is also the Transit, a stone chamber where it was the infirmary of the monastery, where St. Francesco spent the last days of his life and died on October 3, 1226. There is also a symbolic place full of charm : the rose garden with roses in which St. Francesco is rolling to fight against doubt and temptation. According to the story, the plants in contact with the body of the saint lost some spines creating the “Rosa Canina Assisiensis”, which even today continues to flourish only to the Portiuncula.

Where: 4 km from the center of Assisi
How to get there: Bus every 30 minutes from the center of Assisi.
€ 1.30 or € 1.50 ticket on board.
When – Hours: From 6.15 am at 12.40 pm and from 2.30 to 7.30 pm
July 1 to October 4
Night time for personal and silent prayer: 9:00 to 10:30 p.m.
Tickets: free entrance

The Basilica of St Chiara in Assisi

St Chiara had a special relation with St Francesco : when she was 18 years old she run away from her rich family to join Francesco at the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, already called Porziuncula.

She was reached by her sisters Agnes and Beatrice and her mother in the church of St Domenico, and founded the Order of Poor Clares. She lived and died there after 42 years. The church of Santa Chiara was built immediately after the death, right next to the ancient church of San Giorgio. The church is Gothic-Umbrian style, with three naves: behind the altar there is the Oratory with the crucifix . Behind a grating there are some important relics of the saint and of San Francesco. From the stairs, you can access to the crypt with the body of the saint. Her mortal remains are kept in a stone sarcophagus

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours:
from 6.30 am to 12.00 pm
from 2.00 to 7.00 pm (summer time)
from 2.00 to 6.00 pm (winter time)
Monday and Friday the Crypt opens at 9.00 am
Sundays and solemnities
In the morning the Chapel of the Crucifix of San Damiano closes at 11.00 am
Tickets: free entrance

Minerva Temple in Assisi

When in 1786 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe came to Assisi for his trip to Italy, he was fascinated by the columns of Minerva Temple, the first intact monument of antiquity he had ever seen The façade is perfectly preserved, with six columns placed directly on the stairs, with Corinthian capital.

It is believed that the temple, built in the first century B.C., was dedicated to Hercules although if it was named after the discovery of a statue of a woman. After being used as a prison, house, shops, headquarters of the city council, in the Middle Ages the temple was converted into a church with the name of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. In 1634 it was remodeled with Baroque style and dedicated to St. Filippo Neri.

Where: At the highest point of Arezzo close to the Cathedral
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: everyday 8.30 am –1 pm / 3.30 – 7 pm
Tickets: free entrance

Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, Palazzo dei Priori and Torre del Popolo in Assisi

Piazza del Comune is the main square of Assisi and one of the most beautiful in Italy. In this place you can admire Torre del Popolo and Palazzo dei Priori.

The Tower was built from 1276 to house the family Capitano del Popolo. In front of the tower you can still see a red stone tomb of the Subasio, with the typical products of medieval Assisi: bricks, tiles. The Municipal Statute of 1469 prescribed the use of these models for anyone engaged in craft and commercial activities. In front of the Fountain of the three lions there is the Palazzo dei Priori, now the Town Hall and the Art Gallery.

Cathedral of St. Rufino

The main ecclesiastic place of Assisi is not the Basilica of San Francesco but the Cathedral of San Rufino. Can you believe it?

It’s the oldest church of Assisi. It was built in the XII century and it was dedicated to San Rufino, bishop and martyr of the III century. The Cathedral is an important place of Franciscan worship because it’s believed that there were baptized St. Francesco and St. Clara. In this church, moreover, St. Francesco made his first sermon. The façade is considered the finest example of Gothic-Umbrian style: with three rose windows and three portals. The lunette houses the Christ enthroned between the sun and the moon, on the left the Madonna and on the right San Rufin.

Vallemani Palace and Municipal Art Gallery of Assisi

Vallemani Palace is the most beautiful palace in Assisi : it’s located in the central Piazza del Comune.

The main floor is completely painted by Umbrian and Tuscan painters of the XVII century . It houses the Municipal Art Gallery with frescoes of the medieval and Renaissance periods collected from civic and religious buildings in Assisi and surroundings. The collection was formed immediately after the unification of Italy to avoid the dispersion of the works. The most important pieces of the collection are a Majesty attributed to Giotto and some paintings by Perugino. In the rooms on the first floor there is “Memory Museum, Assisi 1943-1944”, an exhibition of 300 Jews saved from the Nazi extermination thanks to the hospitality of Assisi.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours:
November to February
10:30 am to 1:00 pm / 2:30 to 5:00 pm every day
March-May October
10:30 am to 1:00 pm / 2:30 to 6:00 pm every day
June August
10:30 am to 1:00 pm / 2:30 to 7:00 pm every day
September and October
10:30 am to 1:00 pm / 2:30 to 6:00 pm every day
Closed December 25 and January 1
Tickets:
Full price: € 3.00
Reduced: Euro 2.00 University students with ID; school children; children from 8 to 17 years old; groups of at least 15 people; 65s.
Cumulative tickets for Art Gallery, Roman Forum, Rocca Maggiore (valid for 7 days.)
Full price Euro 8,00 – Euro 5,00 Reduced

The Rocca Maggiore in Assisi

If you have a little more time to spend in Assisi, it’s a good idea to climb up to Rocca Maggiore in Assisi.

Since 800 years the bastion overlooks the city of San Francesco and the surrounding countryside. The first construction dates back to 1183, built by Frederick Barbarossa. Destroyed by some insurrections, the fortress was rebuilt by Cardinal Albornoz in 1365 and was part of the network of castles built to defend the Papal States. It was then enlarged by Biordo Michelotti (1395-98), by the Piccinino (1458), by Pius II (1460), by Sixtus IV (1478), by Paul III (1535). Abandoned in 1600, it is nowadays almost intact. Today it offers a suggestive walk among ancient walls and a magnificent view of Assisi and the surrounding area.

Where: Via della Rocca
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours:
From November to February: 10:00 am to 3:45
Closed 25/12
March: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
April, May, September, October: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
June, July, August: 10:00 am to 7:30 pm
Tickets:
Full price: € 5.50
Reduced: Euro 3.50 University students with ID; school children; children from 8 to 17 years old; groups of at least 15 people; 65s.
Cumulative tickets for Art Gallery, Roman Forum, Rocca Maggiore (valid for 7 days.)
Full price Euro 8,00 – Euro 5,00 Reduced
Free entrance Inhabitant of Assisi, children under 8 years; disable people

Things to eat in Assisi

We are in Umbria so we can expect a genuine cuisine, with local products served in the traditional way. Usually you start with a cutting board with Umbricelli, honey, garlic bread with the exceptional local oil (DOP Assisi) and truffles.

Among the first courses there are stringozzi and umbrichelli, some kind handmade pasta with pork sauces or game (hare, deer). We are in the area of Farro, therefore especially in winter, it’s the protagonist of the soups. Among the latters the excellent local meat, the pecorino of Assisi. Assisi has a typical dessert, the Rocciata, a kind of strudel made with apples. For wines, you just need to remember that the area of Assisi has 5 DOC: Grechetto, white, pink, new, red.

Where to sleep in Assisi

During some period of the year Assisi is overcrowded by tourists who arrive by bus, take a quick look at the town and then run away. They do a lot of confusion but they don’t sleep anywhere, so you can find a lot of available rooms in the hotel located in the old town centre and in the agritourism in the surrounding area.

If you are looking for a hotel in Assisi, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 180 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Arezzo cities of art

10 things to do and see in Arezzo

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 14 Settembre 2016

Arezzo is the Cinderella of Tuscany, unfairly overshadowed by the fame of Florence, Siena and Pisa. However it can’t be considered a minor tourist destination. Arezzo offers everything you would expect from the beautiful Tuscany: the atmosphere, hospitality, art and gastronomy, but without the crowd of tourists.

Giorgio Vasari and Piero Della Francesca have always been the historical testimonial of Arezzo. Their artistic and architectural works are, even today, the major attraction in town. Everything remember them: the Piazza Grande arcade, the frescoes in the Basilica of St. Francesco, the Cathedral of San Donato, the Museum of Vasari. But that’s not all: Arezzo offers much more. In this page we suggest you 10 things to do and see during a weekend or a holiday in Arezzo.

If you are looking for a hotel in Arezzo, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 40 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Basilica of San Francesco in Arezzo

The small church made of brick and stone is popular because of “The Legend of the True Cross” by Piero della Francesca, rightly considered one of the masterpieces of Italian art. The cycle of frescoes was inspired by the Legenda Aurea written from the Ligurian Bishop Jacopone Da Varagine and very popular in the Middle Ages. The “Legend” tells the story of the piece of wood with which it was built the Cross of Jesus: raised from the dead branch that God put in the mouth of Adam, the tree was to be used to build the Temple of King Solomon but it was thrown into a river and used as a walkway until the Queen of Sheba predicted its use.

Solomon then bury him until the Israelites found it to make the cross of Jesus. The frescos are held in a non-chronological way, but are aligned for symmetry: at the top there are the outdoor scenes, in the central part there are the court scenes , and, below, the battles. Inside the Basilica of St. Francesco there is also a fresco by Luca Signorelli and the large central Crucifix of the Master of San Francesco.

Where: Piazza San Francesco
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Monday / Friday: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday: 1:00 to 5:00 pm . Visiting hours every 30 minutes. Reservations required at tel. 0575 352 727.
Ticket Church: free entrance. Frescoes visit € 8

Piazza Grande in Arezzo

Piazza Grande or Piazza Vasari in Arezzo is one of the most harmonic architectural complex in Italy, and so in the world. Built in a steep rise where you can admire churches, historic buildings, galleries and antique shops.

On the left there is the church of Santa Maria and the Palace of Fraternita dei Laici with the still functioning Astronomical Clock. On this side there is also the beautiful public fountain. In the high side of the square stands the silhouette of the Palace of the lodges built on a project of Vasari. On the right, the Palace Lappoli with wooden gallery and the Palace of Casatorre dei Cofani with the characteristic tower. This is the square of “Life is Beautiful” by Roberto Benigni, when you see him on a bik ein the square. Piazza Grande houses the monthly Antique Fair and the Giostra del Saraceno

Cathedral of San Donato in Arezzo

The Cathedral was built on the site of the ancient Acropolis town. Works started in 1278 and ended only in 1500.

The façade was rebuilt in the early 1900s while the interior is original and is divided into three naves. Stand out for the beauty the stained glass windows by Guillaume de Marcillat and Mary Magdalene by Piero della Francesca painted in 1465. In the Diocesan Museum there are different works including some of Vasari and Luca Signorelli. The marble panel with the “Baptism of Christ” that decorates the baptismal font is attributed to Donatello

Where: At the highest point of Arezzo
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Every day from 7 am to 12.30 pm / 3 to 6.30 pm
Tickets: free entrance

Basilica of San Domenico in Arezzo

The large crucifix by Cimabue, recently restored, is the great attraction of the Basilica of San Domenico.

The large cross, more than 3 meters high, is the first work attributed to Cimabue and was painted between 1268 and 1271 approximately.

The Romanesque-Gothic exterior has an unfinished façade with a bell tower.

The interior has a nave with frescoes largely deteriorated while it’s still visible the Gothic altar of the Chapel Dragondelli.

Where: At the highest point of Arezzo close to the Cathedral
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: everyday 8.30 am –1 pm / 3.30 – 7 pm
Tickets: free entrance

Museum of Medieval and Modern Art in Arezzo

This small museum is one of other Italian treasures overshadowed by the big galleries. The Museum of Medieval Art in Arezzo, however, is just what you would expect from a museum: a fine selection of works, the tranquility to admire them with no crowds, and expert available guides.

The museum is hosted in the beautiful “Casa della Dogana” that once hosted the State’s Monopoly. After the large backyard porch you enter into the rooms divided by historical periods. Along the way you will encounter works by Pietro Lorenzetti, Parri Spinello, Bartolomeo della Gatta, Andrea della Robbia, Vasari, beautiful Umbrian and Tuscan schools ceramics up to the most recent works of the nineteenth century with paintings by Telemaco Signorini and Cecioni.

Where: Via S.Lorentino. 800 meters far from Piazza Grande
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: everyday 8.30 am – 7.30 pm
Tickets: Full ticket € 4. Reduced ticket € 2

The Pieve of Santa Maria in Arezzo

Overlooking Piazza Grande, the apse of the church of Santa Maria contributes to the set of the whole principal square of Arezzo. The main façade of the church is hidden in Via Seteria, on the left of the square.

It has five blind arches in the basement and three rows of arcades that stand on 68 columns. The imposing bell tower on the right is called the “100-holes” for the special production of the mullioned windows on five floors. The interior has three naves with truss ceiling. The most important work of the Pieve is the polyptych by Pietro Lorenzetti depicting a Madonna and Child, the Annunciation, the Assumption and 12 saints. The apse, which overlooks Piazza Grande, is Romanesque with blind arches and two loggias.

Where: Piazza Grande
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: everyday 8.30 am – 1 pm / 3.30 – 7 pm
Tickets: free entrance

Giorgio Vasari House - Museum

Arezzo has rightly paid tribute to one of its most illustrious sons: Giorgio Vasari, painter, architect and Italian art historian. Vasari bought the building in 1511 but he didn’t lived there for long: soon after the marriage with Niccolosa Bacci, he moved to Rome and then to Florence. Despite this, he managed the decoration of the house directly collecting paintings, sculptures and other works that have been dispersed.

Since 1911 it has been the property of the state which turned it into a museum and into the Vasari Archive which contains writings and correspondence that the artist held with other personalities of his time including Michelangelo, Cosimo I de Medici and Pius V. The archive properties is disputed between the state and the current owners of the building, who tried to sell the entire archive to a Russian buyer. During the visit to the House Museum you can admire the works distributed on three floors: the apartment with the Chamber of Fame and the Arts, the Chamber of the Muses, the House of Abraham and the Fireplace Hall decorated by Vasari and his pupils. In addition there is a beautiful roof garden, which the artist personally curated.

Where: Via XX settembre 55
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Weekday 8.30 am – 7.30 pm ; holidays 8.30 am – 1,30 pm Closed on Tuesday
Tickets: € 2

The Antiques Fair and the Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo

Every first Saturday and Sunday of the month, Piazza Grande in Arezzo is transformed into a huge antiques market attracting sellers and enthusiasts from all over Italy. More than 500 exhibitors occupying the square sell items of all kinds: a treasure trove for art buyers experts or just curious.

The Antique Fair in Arezzo has nearly 50 years (since 1968) and for the glory of the organizers, has never missed an appointment. Only two times a year, however, there is the Giostra del Saracino. The second to last Saturday in June during the night (Giostra of San Donato) and the first Sunday of September during the day(Giostra of September), Piazza Grande becomes the scenery of this ancient competition in medieval costumes. The knights of the four city districts must hit the shield of “Buratto” with a spear without being hit back by the puppet of the Saracen. The carousel recalls the time when people used to train against the possible invasion of the “Moors” but then has become a simple celebration.

Things to eat in Arezzo

Nature has given to Arezzo hills, vineyards, orchards, wild animals and those on the farms. In addition, the sea is far away, with long winters and cool summers, so you can expect a nourishing cuisine made of pasta, meat, cheese, vegetables and good wine.

You can expect the great Italian poor cuisine too: as starter crostini with chicken livers and ham from Casentino; as first courses acquacotta menu (bread eggs, cheese, mushrooms) Pappardelle with hare sauce or the ocio sauce (goose or chicken), gnocchi with ricotta and spinach, or bringoli Pici with various seasonings. Among the latter stands the Chianina meat, the “Grifi” the calf muzzle seasoned with spices and tomato, a nice selection of cheeses including the Florentine abbucciato. The typical dessert of Arezzo and the province is the Gattò of Arezzo, a cake in chocolate and alchermes.

Where to sleep in Arezzo

A bit out of the most crowded Tuscan tours, Arezzo is a destination for lovers of high-quality tourism and is equipped with a good availability of accommodation. In the down town center and close to it are about 40 hotels, farm houses and B&Bs.

Usually there are no availability problems that might be during the high season (spring and early autumn) and during the most important events: the Giostra del Saracino (second Saturday of June and the first Sunday of September) and the Antiques Fair : every first Saturday and Sunday of the month. A room in a three star hotel in the Old Town centre starts from 50 euro per night.

If you are looking for a hotel in Arezzo, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 40 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Milan

10 things to do and see in Milan

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 10 Settembre 2016

Milan is commonly known as the economic capital. However this definition is not enough for a city that has a lot to offer from a cultural and entertaining point of view. People who don’t know Milan, may imagine it as serious and grey, but it has a lot to give to its visitors. You could start from green space of Sempione Park, which surrounds the Palazzo Sforzesco, symbol of the power of the past Duke of Milan. There are many monuments to visit: the famous Cathedral, masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the first examples of Art Nouveau in Italy. You can visit also the canals, that tickled the imagination of Leonardo da Vinci, who donated to this city one of his greatest masterpieces: The Last Supper, painted in refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The San Babila area with the beautiful church in the neo-Romanesque style, today the fulcrum of the fashion and luxury. There are a lot of things to do and see in this city. That is why we want to suggest you 10 things to do and see during a visit to Milan.

If you are looking for a hotel in Milan, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 2000 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The Cathedral of Milan

The Cathedral is the most representative monument of Milan. The church, dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente, built by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, is the symbol of the city.

In 1386 works started the construction of a magnificent monument, with wonderful glass wall and beautiful sculpted decorations. This majestic structure is the most significant testimony of Gothic architecture, which leaves no room for any doubt: it’s the only that combine Nordic features and Lombard elements. The beauty of the cathedral is completed by the main spire where there is the famous Madonnina, a golden copper statue, 4 meters high. If you visit the church on a beautiful sunny day, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city and the Alps from the terraces. Inside you should not miss the entrance to the sanctuary, renewed in the second half of the ‘500. On the top of the apse vault there is the relic of the Holy Nail of the Cross. You have to know that: in the Cathedral there are 3,500 statues, including the 96 gargoyles giants, and that the structure is 157 meters long, 92 meters wide and that the spire is 108.50 meters high.

Where: Milan’s historic center
How to get there: Subway Line M1 and M3 stop Duomo – Walk in the city center
When – Hours:
Devoted: every day 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Visitors: every day 8:00 am to 9:00 pm . From 1 to 31 October: daily: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Terraces
When: from 1 August to 30 September every day: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm ; 1 to 31 October every day: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm

Tickets:
Devoted: free entrance.
Visitors: € 2.00

Terraces:
Lift € 13.00; Reduced (children 6-12) € 7.00. Uphill walk € 8.00; Reduced (children 6-12) € 4.00. Free: children up to 6 years; disable people and their attendants, soldiers in uniform. NB: access for the disable people on the terraces is limited to Saturdays and Sundays for technical reasons

The Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci in Milan

The Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci is jealously preserved in the refectory of the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Leonardo painted this work of beauty on the north wall of the hall between 1494 and 1498, during the dominion of Ludovico il Moro.

The genius Leonardo made this masterpiece on a dry wall rather than on wet plaster, which is the fresco technique usually used for wall paintings. Unfortunately during the time, due to environmental conditions and historical events, the work had heavy damages. There have been many works of restoration of the Last Supper, and the one in 1999 gave back to painting its original colors and removed prior painting operations. To avoid that the painting can still be damaged, it is stored in special environmental conditions, determined by the treatment of the air, and can be visited only by groups of up to 25 visitors at a time, every 15 minutes.

Where: Santa Maria delle Grazie square
How to get there:
Subway line 1 : Cadorna o Conciliazione stop
Subway line 2 : Cadorna o Sant’Ambrogio stop
When – Hours:
Tue – Sun 8:15 am to 7:15 pm . Last entry at 6:45 pm. Maximum 25 people every 15 minutes.
Never: Monday, January 1, May 1 and December 25
Tickets:
Reservations has to be made in advance (www.vivaticket.it): full price € 6, 50 (+ € 1,50 reservation fee); reduced (EU and EEA citizens between 18 and 25 years); € 3.25 (+ EUR 1.50 for the reservation fee); free (visitors under 18 years) € 0.00 (+ 1.50 Euro for the reservation fee)

The Art Gallery of Brera – Pinacoteca – in Milan

The Pinacoteca of Brera was born in 1776, as a collection of important works, in order to train students of the Academy of Fine Arts.

When Milan was declared capital of the Kingdom of Italy by Napoleon, many paintings expropriated to churches and aristocrats (those not brought in Paris) were brought in Brera. So the Pinacoteca of Brera is different from other prestigious Italian museums because it’s not from the private collections of the aristocracy and of the princes, but from the state. There is a rich collection of some of the most famous works in the world: the Supper in Emmaus by Caravaggio, the Dead Christ by Mantegna, the Brera Altarpiece by Piero della Francesca and the Marriage of the Virgin by Raphael. There are also other less famous works , but they’re exceptional too. One of the symbols of Brera is the painting of Romanticism par excellence: the Kiss by Hayez. The collection goes back to ‘900 with works by Braque, Modigliani, Picasso, Morandi, De Chirico and many others.

Where: Via Brera, 28
How to get there: Subway line 2, Lanza stop. Line 3 Montenapoleone stop. Tram: 1-4-8-12-14-27. Bus: 61, 97
When – Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 8.30 am – 7.15 pm (the ticket office close 45 minutes before)
Never: Monday, 1 January, 1 May, 25 December
Ticket: € 10, reduced € 7,50

The canals of Milan

People don’t think about Milan as a city of water, but, yes it is. The system of canals was created with the ambitious project to link Milan to Como Lake , Adda, Maggiore Lake and the Po, arriving in northern Europe and then to the sea.

The history of canals begins in the second half of the XII century, with the construction of the first navigable spot. The first channel, the Ticinello, was inaugurated in 1179, and with its 50 km of length, it started the building of the great canal. In 1457 Francesco Sforza gave to Bertola da Novate the construction of the Naviglio della Martesana – Martesana Canal – but the real turning point was with Ludovico il Moro

And which genius could complete a so complex hydraulic work? With an ingenious system of sluices, Leonardo da Vinci was able to connect Milan to Como Lake. It lacked only the connection to the sea via Po but Napoleon fixed it in 1805. He completed the construction of the Naviglio Pavese – Pavese Canal . The canals have experienced contrasting eras: they brought wealth but then suffered neglect and pollution, so a large portion of them was buried. Despite everything, people of Milan have always loved them, going for a walk or going to public places close to them. Today they are the focus of several redevelopment projects: the first accomplished is the new dock in Naviglio Grande – Big Canal, which took place with the Expo 2015. You can find: cycle paths, boats, relaxation areas, traditional taverns, boutiques and shops of the artists.

The Castello Sforzesco in Milan

The castle is 750 year old and it was the decisive place for Milan on many occasions. The first building was made by Galeazzo II but it was Francesco Sforza (from whom derives the name) who finished it.

The Castle had mostly the role of military citadel and is still today one of the largest castles in Europe. Always linked to the war, dominations and grief, so loved and hated by people of Milan, in the XX century the castle changed his face. It took the cozy look of a cultural place, used to protect the testimonies of Lombard art. Currently the Castello Sforzesco is rich in museums: the ground floor of the Ducal Court is the Museum of Ancient Art, the first floor has the collection of furnitures and the Art Gallery. On the first and second floor of the stronghold there are the applied art collections and the Museum of Musical Instruments, in the basement of the Ducal Court there are the Museum of Prehistory and Early History and the Egyptian Museum. The Castle contains some masterpieces of Italian art: the Rondanini Pietà by Michelangelo, Leonardo’s frescoes in the VIII room of the Ancient Art Museum, the Virgin in Glory with Saints John the Baptist, Gregory the Great, Benedict and Jerome Mantegna in the Art Gallery and the extraordinary tapestries depicting the twelve months of Bramantino, in the Sala della Balla.

Where: Piazza Castello
How to get there: Subway : MM1 , Cadorna and Cairoli stop. MM2 Cadorna and Lanza stop. Bus. 43,50,57,58,61,70,94. Tram 1,3,4,12,14,20,27
When – Hours: Winter: Monday- Sunday 7 am – 6 pm
Summer: 7 am – 7 pm
Castle’s museum: Tuesday – Sunday 9 am – 5.30 pm
Never: Monday, 25 December, 1 January, 1 May

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the so-called living room of Milan, was built in the first half of the XIX century . At that time the city looked with envy at the urban evolution of the great European capitals and wanted to compete with them.

In 1859 an international competition was organized in order to evaluate the proposals of different architects. The idea was to build a covered passage that linked Piazza Duomo and Piazza della Scala. 176 architects proposed their ideas and among all stood out the one of Giuseppe Mengoni, who thought of a long tunnel crossed by an arm with a large octagonal room at the crossing center. In 1865 works began with the arrangement of the first stone directly by King Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoy, and two years later the gallery was opened though still incomplete and without the presence of the king. The construction of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II had a tragic end: its creator, Giuseppe Mengoni, died just during an inspection of his “baby.” Many people thought it was a suicide due to many criticisms of his work and disappointment caused by the absence of the king at the opening: no one could imagine that the king was in very poor health and that he would die a few days later. The Gallery is the elegance in Milan, where people arrange meetings there in order be seen, to buy (at high cost), or just have a coffee.

San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore Church

After 30 years of restoration, the magnificent Renaissance church San Maurizio has returned to shine. It was built in the early ‘500 above the ruins of an ancient place of worship. The church was annexed to the order of the Benedictine Major Monastery (demolished in 1799), of which today remains the entrance cloister, an integral part of the Archaeological Museum.

The old use of the structure is testified by the division of the interior space into two parts: one open to the devoted, and the other reserved to the nuns of the monastery.The simple and linear façade of the building don’t let you imagine the surprising interior full of marvelous frescoes, from walls to the vault, which is why the church has been called the Sistine Chapel of Milan. The frescoes decorations brightly colored are 4 thousand square meters, and they are made by some of the greatest masters of the Lombard painting of the XVI century: Bernardino Luini, who made, among others, the “Stories of St. Catherine”, the “Stories of the life of Christ”; Simone Peterzano, master of Caravaggio, author of “The Return of the Prodigal Son” and “Christ send away the merchants from the temple” that decorate the interior façade of the church; Antonio Campi who made the ”Adoration of the Magi ” on the high altar; Bergognone (chorus); Lomazzo; Boltraffio, a pupil of Leonardo. Great value has the monastic choir, the organ built by Gian Giacomo Antegnani (1557) originally intended for liturgical concerts, and today used during concert events taking place in town.

Where: Corso Magenta
How to get there: Subway line 2 Cadorna stop, Line 1 Cordusio stop. Tram 19-20-24; bus 19- 50- 59
When – Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 9.30 am – 7.30 pm (until 31/10 evening entry up to 10.30 pm )
Ticket: free of charge

Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio in Milan

The church dedicated to the saint of the city is considered the second most important church after the Cathedral. Founded in the IV century thanks to Ambrose, bishop of Milan (buried here in 397), the church was rebuilt between 1088 and 1099 according to the canons of Romanesque architecture.

Although it’s considered the most important example of Lombard Romanesque architecture, the Basilica’s appearance is the consequence of some building operations made during the following centuries. The basilica, preceded by a four-side atrium, has an hut-shaped façade and two orders of loggias. On the sides it has two towers: on the right the one of friars, dating back to IX century, and on the left the one of the Canons, built in the XII century. The interior is divided into three naves, each of them ends with an apse covered with cross vaults. The Christian sarcophagus has a great value and it’s known as “Stilicone” dating back the IV century. Very interesting also, the Roman column on which is based a unique bronze sculpture, the so-called “Snake of Moses”: according to legend, the end of the world will be announced by the animal’s going down from the column.

The underground crypt contains the remains of saints Ambrose, Gervase and Protase. Inside the basilica you can admire the small chapel of San Vittore in Ciel d’Oro built in the IV century to host the remains of the martyr Victor. This chapel is famous for the early Christian era mosaics on the walls and in the dome depicting some saints, including St. Ambrose.

Close to the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio there is a Roman column on which there are two holes made, according to legend, by Satan. The legend tells that the devil failed to seduce Ambrose and tried to stab him, but he struck the column. Then he used those holes to return to the underworld. So don’t worry if you hear some strange noises from those holes and there’s sulfur smell….

Where: Piazza Sant’Ambrogio
How to get there: Subway line 2 S. Abrogio stop
When – Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 -12 am , 2.30 – 6.00 pm; Sunday 3 – 5 pm
Tickets: free of charge

Things to eat in Milan

Milan, like all Italian cities, has a great culinary tradition. The true king of its cuisine is the butter, used in most dishes, from risotto, the veal cutlet until panettone.

To start with the traditional dishes, the best known is certainly the risotto alla Milanese, made with saffron. The traditional one includes the use of beef marrow, but currently not many people use to cook it in this way. Another first course typical of Milan is the “tripe” (hence the nickname “busecconi”), made with cooked tripe. Among the second courses, the best known and appreciated is the veal cutlet, which traditionally is made with veal, high as a finger, and fried in butter, but nowadays people prefer the healthier and less fat olive or seeds oil . Do not forget the Ossobuco (òsbus a la Milanesa): slice of veal shank or beef stew. The “cassoeula” instead is a very rich dish, made with cabbage and “poor” parts of the pig as the rind, head, ribs and legs. Moving on to desserts, in Milan have their origin the panettone and the colomba. Dairy products are among the local products: soft cheese, mascarpone, grana of Lodi and of course the gorgonzola.

Where to sleep in Milan

No longer just a destination for managers and business man, Milan, even before the Expo Milano 2015, is the city of cultural tourism: the revival of canals, the proliferation of exhibitions and the opening of new museums, have attracted a large number of new visitors in the city.

Today more than ever, it’s ready to welcome tourists in many hotels, B&Bs and apartments throughout the city. Alongside the large and luxurious hotel chains, you’ll also find more modest hotel, cozy, comfortable guest houses, B&Bs and even extravagant Art Nouveau houses from the early ‘900. It’s not easy to find a cheap price, especially in the center and at international events. Prices start from 80 € per night in 3 star hotel. The advice is to book early. All accommodation facilities are perfectly connected to the center of Milan, thanks to an efficient and functional transport system, so if you want to save a little you can choose to sleep in the suburbs.

If you are looking for a hotel in Milan, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 2000 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Matera

10 things to do and see in Matera

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 10 Settembre 2016

Matera enchanted many artists such as Carlo Levi and Giovanni Pascoli. One of the oldest city in the world, where history, culture, nature, meet and mingle creating charming landscapes. Carlo Levi used to say: “Anyone who sees Matera cannot help but be awe-struck, so expressive and touching is its sorrowful beauty“; while Giovanni Pascoli wrote : “Among the cities I’ve been, Matera is the one that smiles at me more, the one I can see even better, through a veil of poetry and melancholy“. Things didn’t change with the passing of the time: Matera, incredible city dug into the calcareous rock continues to leave visitors speechless. Life in Matera has never stopped: it’s the inhabited city since it was built, the city in which, from the Paleolithic era to the present day, you can retrace the history of man who lived here, using local resources and integrating perfectly with it. Matera is a unique city, an extraordinary timeless place. It’s also the city of the famous Sassi, the first site in southern Italy declared a World Heritage Site. I’ts the city of the rupestrian churches, the natural areas with different species of flora and fauna, rural traditions, landscapes of incomparable beauty. But Matera is also a city of hidden treasures, museums, festivals, concerts, multimedia paths. October 17, 2014, the city of the Sassi has been nominated European Capital of Culture for 2019: a major victory for a country often forgotten which can get rid forever of the sad definition of “national shame”.

If you are looking for a hotel in Matera, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 50 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Sassi of Matera – Ancient town

The “Sassi” (literally: “stones”) are probably the first thing you think about when someone talk about Matera.

The ancient village dug into the calcareous rock, on the side of the Gravina Valley, in 1993 has been declared Unesco’s World Heritage. The Sassi with their particular twist of caved used as houses, alley, stone churches, terraces, gardens, tunnel, are a great example of an architectural complex perfectly matching with the natural environment.

This huge sculpture, preserved from the Palaeolithic era to nowadays, shows the way of life in the caves and close to them, from medieval era, modern houses have been built.

For this, the Sassi represents a unique landscape of its kind, a destination for fascinated travelers and inspired moviemakers. However in the years ‘50s-‘60s the Stones were considered “national shame” because of bad sanitary conditions and overcrowding in houses-caves that were abandoned and left in ruin. Luckily after about thirty years, some interventions began for the recovery of these forgotten jewels that at sunset have a magic color offering breathtaking shows. The Sassi are divided into two districts: the Sasso Barisano, the largest district, whose houses are now shops, restaurants and hotels, and the Sasso Caveoso, considered the oldest neighborhood that best preserves the appearance of the cave town . Before starting to explore the ancient districts it could be useful to first stop at Casa Noha, first FAI’s site in Basilicata. The ancient house, belonged to the noble family Noha, recently became the center of tourist information and documentation such as the movie “Invisible Sassi. Extraordinary journey in the history of Matera”. It is projected on the stone walls of the house, telling the story of the city, from different perspectives: architecture and art history, archeology and history of cinema. Thanks to technological path available through the APP Matera Invisible, free download (www.materainvisibile.it), you can discover the historic heart of the city through five routes associated with many elements: water, stone, light, time and spirit.

Where: Recinto Cavone, 9 (close to the Cathedral)
When – Hours: Wednesday – Sunday (Monday and Tuesday if holidays) from april to October 9 am – 6 pm. From November to March 10 am – 4.30 pm
Tickets: € 4 ; disable people can visit for free

Matera’s Cathedral

On the top of the hill, Civitas hill, there’s the Cathedral which offers an amazing view of the “Sasso Barisano”. This church construction is dated back at the XIII century and rose above the remains of a benedectine monastery: Sant’Eustachio.

Since 1627 the cathedral was dedicated to the Madonna della Bruna and Sant’Eustachio, protectors of the city. The façade of the church has a Romanesque – Apulian style and a beautiful decorated portal : you can see the statue of the Madonna della Bruna, an impressive rose window with 16 rays (symbol of the wheel of life) and archangel Michael killing the dragon with two male figures on the sides and one at the bottom that is used as atlas.

On the side façade of the cathedral there are other two minor gates: a “street door” adorned with a bas-relief of Abraham, and a “Lion Gate” so called for the presence of statues of two lions to protect the faith. You can admire also the bell tower ,52 m high, with 4 floors with mullioned windows . The interior, restored during Baroque period, has a Latin cross with three naves separated by columns with figurative medieval capitals. In addition to the famous stone crib made in 1534 by Altobello Persio, the Basilica contains numerous treasures including: a Byzantine fresco of the Madonna della Bruna and Child by the “Maestro della Bruna”, (XIII century), the “Last Judgement”, fragments of a cycle of frescoes, the beautiful wooden choir sculpted in 1453 by John Wee, and the great altarpiece on the high altar “Virgin and Child with Saints” made by Fabrizio Santafede (1580).

The natural areas of Matera

Nature reserves, parks, wildlife sanctuaries that characterize the whole territory of Basilicata region is a characteristic mixture between nature and culture. They are not only rare species of flora and fauna, but also relics of great historical and cultural value.

The Park of the Murgia, the Regional Reserve San Giuliano and the Colle Timmari are the natural areas that you can visit in Matera. In the upland area, you can find the remains of ancient Neolithic villages. The area of San Giuliano Lake, however, is known for a strong presence of birds and from sighting huts where you can observe the 140 bird species that live here. Moreover the Timmari hill is a small residential village over the lake of San Giuliano and it’s an important archaeological site for some objects of both prehistorical time and IV century

Rupestrian churches in Matera

Churches date back mostly to the Middle Ages, when monasticism made some room in the Christian communities of the time and Benedictine and Byzantine monks began to settle in the caves of the Gravina transforming them into prayers centers. Those mystical places, dug into the rock ,are one of the characteristics of the entire territory of Matera: crypts, chapels, basilicas, sanctuaries and monasteries, along the walls of the Gravina and Murgia upland.

The rupestrian churches with their architectural virtuosity and their decorations are exceptional works of art, expression of the historical – cultural territory. You can find greek-orthodox churches close to latin churches that testify the cultural and architectural development level reached by the rupestrian community. There are almost 150 churches in the Matera area for the protection of which it has been established the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera, UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Among the many rupestrian churches you can visit : the church of San Pietro Barisano located in the same Sasso, with the façade in Romanesque – Baroque style and the inside is completely dug into the tuff where you can find just (unfortunately) seven altars , a series of frescoes and a crypt with the ossuary; the church of Saint Lucia alle Malve containing important frescoes including the one of the “Madonna del Latte” or “Galattotrofousa”; Santa Maria de Idris church dug into the side of Monterrone, and St. John’s crypt that forms, through an internal passage, a beautiful rupestrian complex. Four rupestrian churches grouped around a central courtyard are the Convicinio of Saint Anthony (XII – XIII c.) used in the XVII century as a cellar. It’s dedicated to Santa Barbara the church with some oriental inspiration, rich in valuable wall paintings including a depiction of Santa Barbara who has in the head a rich diadem and in the right hand the tower, the symbol of his martyrdom.

The Crypt of the Original Sin of Matera

A few kilometers from Matera, along the wall of the Gravina di Picciano you can find the Crypt of the Original Sin. It’s a frescoed church-cave (re) brought to light in 1963, and it’s called the Sistine Chapel of rupestrian wall painting. The extraordinary painting complex (sec. VIII – IX) that decorates the walls of the crypt is undoubtedly one of the most important examples of early medieval painting in the Mediterranean.

Used for a long time by shepherds as a shelter for animals, the natural cavity was known to the locals as the “Cave of the Hundred Saints”, due to the presence of many saints painted on the walls. On the back wall are shown some biblical scenes from the Genesis (God the Father Creator, the Light, the Darkness, the creation of Adam, Eve’s birth, temptation and original sin), while in the three apses there are Apostles, Archangels and the Virgin.

Where: the meeting place in order to make the visit is at the gas station “Grifo Gas” on the SS7 towards Potenza, at km 564, about 10 km from Matera.
When: Tuesday to Sunday by reservation.
Contact Coop. Artezeta to n. 320 5350910 (also SMS) or book online www.criptadelpeccatooriginale.it/prenotazioni.html.
Visiting hours
April to September 9:30 – 11:00 am – 12:30 to 3:30 pm – 5:00 to 6:30 pm
October to March 9:30 – 11:00 am – 12:30 to 3:30 pm
Tickets: € 8.00; free for children under 10 accompanied by parents.

The cave – house of Matera

Carlo Levi in 1952 wrote: “ In the Sassi cave is hidden the capital of farmers, the hidden heart of their ancient civilization” . In order to understand that farmer world, it could be useful to know the life conditions into the Sassi before people were forced to leave them.

The cave-house of Vico solitario, in Sasso Caveoso, it’s the best chance you have to understand how was the life in these houses dug into the rock. The house, inhabited until 1957 by a family of 11 people (plus animals), consists of a single room, partly excavated and partly built, with antique furniture and tools. There is the fireplace with the kitchen, the bed with corn leaves stuffed mattress, small table with a single plate at the center from which all used to eat, the chamber pot used for bodily needs, the frame for spinning, the area with the food for the mule, the cavity in which they collected manure used to warm up, the tank where the rainwater was conveyed through a channel system.

Where: Vico Solitario
When – Hours: every day from 9,30 am to the evening and all holidays 9.30 am to the evening
Tickets: € 2,00

The Palombaro Lungo in Matera

The Palombaro Lungo is the large cistern dug under the central Piazza Vittorio used until the early decades of the last century to collect drinking water. Its name derives from “plumbarius”, the Latin word for plumbing works.

Built in 1846, thanksto Bishop Di Macco, as a water reserve for the inhabitants of Sasso Caveoso, the majestic cistern was excavated in 1991 on the occasion of the piazza works. The tank, 15 meters deep containing about 5,000 cubic meters of water, was part of an ingenious water collection system made up of a complex network of channels: caves, tunnels, to catch rainwater and waters of aquifer close to Castle Tramontano in Monte. A fascinating path of about 17 meters deep and you can admire one of the tanks dug into the biggest rock in the world, admirable work of hydraulic engineering, huge and silent as a “water cathedral”.

Where: Piazza Vittorio Veneto
How to get there: by feet in the city center
When – Hours:
Summer: every day from 9 am to 1 pm and from 4 to 8 pm ;
Winter: Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and days before holidays from 9 am to 1 pm and from 4 to 8 pm;
Other days open by reservation to the number 339 3638332 (Association GTA Basilicata).
Tickets: guided tour € 3.00 (sum donated to charity to some institutions), free for children under 18 years

Musma Museum of Matera

the Musma, Museum of Contemporary Sculpture of Matera is dedicated to sculpture, and welcomes visitors with a rich collection of sculptures, pottery, jewelry, medals, art books, prints and drawings donated by artists, collectors, private galleries from Zétema Foundation. Many important names: Manzu, Cascella, Milani, Hare, Gitlin, tomato, Ortega, just to name a few.

The museum is located in the Palazzo Pomeraci (XVII century), also known for its large size as “Palace of the one hundred rooms.” The permanent collection is hosted in two different settings: in the halls of the main floor the exhibits are about the history of sculpture since 1800 while in the downstairs rooms, the main theme of the museum is the combination of environment “dug ” by man and sculpture. Temporary exhibitions are staged in the “Sale of the hunt”, splendid frescoed rooms with bucolic scenes and hunting scenes. The Museum also houses the library Vanni Scheiwiller, a rich collection of over 5000 books – monographs, catalogs and art books – donated by the widow of editor, great art lover.

Where: via San Giacomo
When – Hours:
October to March from Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
April to September from Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm / 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Never Monday (excluding holidays), December 25, January 1, July 2.
Tickets: € 5.00; Reduced (children 7-25 years) € 3.50; free (children under 6, disable people)

Things to eat in Matera

The gastronomy in Matera is linked to the farming and pastoral tradition: simple and natural ingredients combined in a cuisine of genuine flavors. Legumes, meats, vegetables, homemade pasta (orecchiette) topped with tomato sauce, broccoli, cardoncelli mushrooms, cheese (pecorino and caciocavallo), extra virgin olive oil and of course bread of Matera IGP ( ideal for the typical tomato bruschetta, with cream and wild onions peppers bran) are the basis of Matera dishes.

Among the specialties: Pignata, made from sheep meat, vegetables, herbs, cooked in a clay pot in the wood oven; the Ciallèdd made with stale bread, potatoes, onions, herbs, eggs and turnips that have taken the place of the flowers (the asfadeli) of the original recipe; the Crapiata based on legumes (spelled, chickpeas, lentils, grass peas, peas, beans), wheat and potatoes. All with red decided (Aglianico and primitive) and fragrant white (greek, Muscat).

Where to sleep in Matera

You can understand Matera hospitality by the many possibilities of accommodation for tourists in all seasons. Hotels, from one to five stars, bed and breakfasts, cottages and apartments allow a choice for every portfolio needs.

Some structures are located in the heart of the Sassi, others are located in the most modern part of the city. For sure, the first option is more attractive than the second one because it will allow you to enjoy all the charm of the ancient Matera, but it is also the most expensive one. So you can choose a cheaper accommodation and then go around to discover all the beauties of the territory. The city of the caves, the city of villages and peasant houses, the city that reminds the ancient is just waiting for you to show you all its beauty.

If you are looking for a hotel in Matera, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 2000 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Lecce

10 things to do and see in Lecce

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 10 Settembre 2016

Lecce is both a summer tourist destination and a city of art. It is full of masterpieces of Roman, Medieval and Renaissance age, but above all, Lecce is a Baroque city. Here the baroque is expressed in an unique way. Decorations enrich the buildings with strong colors of the “pietra leccese” (Lecce’s stone): soft and compact calcareous stone, with white/gold colors. The baroque style spread in Lecce during the Spanish domination, substituting the classical art and creating a style which left more space to the imagination of the artists. In the city centre you can admire beautiful examples of the stonework in monumental churches, balconies and terraces. Cozy, organized and near the sea, Lecce is a must see place in Italy. Below we suggest you 10 things you can’t miss Lecce.

If you are looking for a hotel in Lecce, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 700 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The old town centre of Lecce

Lecce is also called “The baroque lady”. The baroque style characterizes spires, portals, churches, monuments and houses of the “centro storico”, the old town centre .

Walking through Porta Napoli, built in 1548 in honor of Charles V, you’ll enter in the old town. Here starts the main streets where you can admire refined buildings and workshops. In the city centre you can visit the church Chiesa di Santa Maria della Provvidenza, in Baglivi square, and the church of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli, in Addolorata square. In Via Umberto I, you’ll see Adorno Palace and the Basilica of Santa Croce, symbol of the city and of the Baroque art.

Then you can have a walk in Sant’Oronzo square, heart of the city life, where rises the beautiful column dedicated to the Saint Patron. You can’t miss the Cathedral square, with the splendid façade of the Cathedral and its tall bell tower. Moreover there’s the XV century palace of the Bishop with an angular arched loggia, the palace of the Seminary built in 1700, now seat of the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, the Innocenziana Library and Diocesan Historical Archive.

For lovers of gardens, the Villa Comunale, situated near Sant’Oronzo Square, will be a pleasant stop. It was named after Giuseppe Garibaldi and once it was called “Villa della Lupa” for the presence of a cage in which some wolf were held (the wolf stands in the emblem of the city called by the Romans “Lupiae” )

The Roman Amphitheatre in Lecce

This is the most relevant testimony of the Roman age. It was built in the II century AD to entertain the viewers with shows and games (it could hosts about 20.000 people).

The monument was completely buried by rubble because of earthquakes, and only at the beginning of the XX century it was brought back to the surface. The part of the monument which is visible today it’s just one third of its original size, the remainder is probably still under the central Sant’Oronzo square. The amphitheatre structure was built with tuff columns surmounted by arcades. Some statues were found in this structure, a statue of Athena (nowadays at the Castromediano’s Museum) and some marble relieves on the railings. The scenes, represented on these marble relieves, illustrates hunting scenes and fights between mans and animals. Nowadays the Amphitheatre is the location of concerts and events

Where: St. Oronzo square
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: It’s possible to visit the Roman Amphitheatre (except on days when performances are scheduled) by reservation at the Info Point Castle of Charles V (+39 0832.246517 – castellocarlov@gmail.com).
Tickets: full price € 2.00; reduced rates reserved for groups composed of more than 10 people: € 1.00. Service guided tour: € 1.00 extra on the ticket price.

Castle of Charles V in Lecce

The Castle was built in 1539 by Carlo V and is placed near St Oronzo square. The project of the building was made by the architect Gian Giacomo dell’Acaya and two constructions were pulled down in order to build this fortress: Cappella di Santa Trinità and Monastero Celestino di Santa Croce. The Castle has two concentric structures separated by an intermediate court, four corner bastions (S. Giacomo, S. Croce, S. Trinità and S. Martino) and great walls

For long time the castle had a defensive functions, but in the XVIII century one of its rooms was used as theatre. From the 1870 to the 1979 it was used as military district. Nowadays it’s the seat of the Cultural Department of the township of Lecce, and it’s used for all the cultural initiatives. On the first floor there’s the big room (Duchess Hall) with cross vault and Gothic capitals with leaf decorations and allegorical illustrations.

Where: viale XXV luglio, near St Oronzo square
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours:
Winter: Monday – Friday 9:00 am to 8:30 pm , Sat. and Sun. 9:30 am to 8:30 pm ;
Summer: from 1/06 to 15/07 and 1/09 to 30/09 from Mon. the Fri. 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Sat, Sun and holidays 9:30 am to 9:00 pm ; from 16/07 to 31/08 from Mon. the Fri. 9:00 am to 11:00 pm , Sat, Sun and holidays 9:30 am to 11:00 pm
Tickets: € 3.00; reduced € 2.00; Children (6-12 years) € 1.00

St Oronzo square in Lecce

St. Oronzo square is the main square of Lecce. It’s the public living room where people use to meet and it has a mosaic pavement representing the emblem of the city: the wolf under a holm oak tree and the crown with five towers.

The buildings, built between Middle age and XIX century, have different styles but they coexist in a harmonious way. In the past it was known as the “Square of Merchants” for its large number of shops and commercial activities but then they disappeared to build the headquarters of the Bank of Italy (XX century).

From 1656 the square is dedicated to the Saint Patron of the city. The legend tells that during plague Lecce was spared thanks to the saint, so people of Lecce erected the votive column of the saint. St Oronzo column represents just one of the attractive of the square where you can visit also the Roman Amphitheatre. In the square there are also Palazzo del Seggio (1592), the ancient church of San Marco, and the church Santa Maria della Grazia, which was built in 1590 after the discovery of a painting representing the Virgin with the baby.

The Cathedral of Lecce

The Cathedral of Lecce is placed in Piazza Duomo and it’s the fulcrum of the religious city life. The Cathedral is dedicated to Maria SS. Assunta and it was first built in 1144, renovated in 1230, and rebuilt in 1659 by Giuseppe Zimbalo thanks to the bishop Luigi Pappacoda.

The Cathedral has two entrances, the principal façade is sober and elegant with some statues of St Gennaro and Ludovico, while the second entrance is a masterpiece of Baroque art with a statue representing St. Oronzo and St. Giusto and St. Fortunato. The interior space has a nave and two aisles, separated by columns and semi columns. The central nave and the transept have wood roof in which there are mounted some paintings representing the Martyr of St. Oronzo and the Last supper. This Cathedral has twelve altars.

the highest pointof art history and it’s painted on the vaulted ceiling of the Cappella Brancacci (chapel) in Florence, in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine. Masolino and Masaccio, young and old, teacher and pupil, frescoed this chapel together, which was commissioned by Felice Brancacci. Brancacci obliged the two guys to work on the same walls to reduce the style differences at the minimum. It ‘s a masterpiece that surprises everyone, believers or not , telling the sin’s history and other episodes of the Bible and Gospel.

Where: Piazza Duomo
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Every day 7.30 am – 12 pm and 3.30 – 6 pm; summer 8 am – 12.30 pm and 4 – 8 pm
Tickets : free entrance

Basilica di Santa Croce in Lecce

The Basilica with the Celestine Convent (now the Government Palace) is one of the biggest architectural complexes of the city. It’s also the most significant example of Lecce’s Baroque, especially for the opulence of the main façade decorations.

Between the XVI and XVII centuries, the greatest architects of Salento – Riccardi, Penna and Zimbalo – realized the great work commissioned by the Celestini’s religious order. The result was great: a magnificent monument made of Renaissance and Baroque elements. The façade of the Basilica consists of three parts.

The lower part, in Renaissance style, is divided by six columns supporting a structure richly decorated with lions and women. On the side doors there are the emblems of the Celestine’s order and the Holy Cross, while on the main entrance, with two pairs of columns, there is the emblem of Philip III of Spain.

The second part of the façade is dominated by a beautiful central rose window of Romanesque inspiration and two niches with statues of St. Benedict and St. Celestine. There are also two female statues symbolizing the Faith and Fortitude. On the top, the gable with the Cross.

The interior is divided into three naves separated by high columns and it’s sumptuous too. The nave has a wooden paneled ceiling while the aisles have vaulted ceilings and seven chapels on each side. The precious chapel of San Francesco da Paola has the altar with six columns made by Zimbalo (1614-15) decorated with 12 panels depicting episodes from the life of the saint. It’s considered one of the highest sculptural expressions of Lecce’s Baroque

Where: Via Umberto I
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Every day 9-12 am and 5-7 pm during the winter, until 8 pm during the summer
Tickets: free entrance

Lecce's churches

There’s plenty of churches in Lecce: the Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Croce and many other churches in the streets and in the squares of the city (about 40)

Among these, we suggest you to visit Church of St. Nicolò and Cataldo: it was built in the Middle Age (1180) and then restructured in 1716 with a Baroque appearance but preserving elements of its original style.

The portal is decorated with arabesques and floral themes while the interior has a Latin cross shape with three tall and narrow aisles. Among the most original churches, you should admire the Church of St. Matthew (1667 – 1700), with its unique curved façade. The building has a Baroque façade while the interior has an elliptical shape and arched chapels containing rich altars decorations. The church of Saint Irene is beautiful too. It was built in the ‘500 by the order of the Theatine and it has on the main portal the statue of the saint and, on the high pediment, the emblem of the city (the wolf under the crowned holm oak ). The interior has a nave with three chapels on each side; the altar is dedicated to St. Irene and behind the high altar there is the painting of the Madonna della Libera. All the churches of Lecce, with medieval, Renaissance and Baroque style, preserve the historical, artistic and religious heritage of the city.

Abbazia di Santa Maria di Cerrate in Lecce

The Abbey is a little jewel located on the road that connects Squinzano to Casalabate. It is a magnificent example of Romanesque architecture of Salento.

According to the legend, the abbey was built around the XII century by Tancredi d’Altavilla in the place where he had a vision: the Virgin between the horns of a deer (hence the name Cervate then Cerrate). Important religious center until the ‘500, the building was later sacked (1711) and left in a state of disrepair until it was restored in 1965.

The façade has a small central rose window, a single lancet window on each side and an elegant portal . Next to the church you can admire a XIII century porch with cylindrical and polygonal columns and a Renaissance well.

The abbey’s interior is divided into three naves. Apses, and walls are adorned by frescoes of XIII and XIV century. Currently the abbey is one of the assets protected by the Fondo Ambiente Italiano

Where: Country road between Squinzano – Casalabate (SP100)

How to get there by car: Country road between Squinzano – Casalabate (SP100)

Where: Country road between Squinzano – Casalabate (SP100)
How to get there by car: Country road between Squinzano – Casalabate (SP100)
When – Hours: Saturdays and Sundays in July and August, hours 9.30 am 1 pm and 3 – 7 pm
For the other months, consult the FAI website
Tickets: Entrance with voluntary donations

Things to eat in Lecce

In Lecce you’ll find only good food: There are many typical dishes of Salento cuisine. The spices of the Mediterranean scrub (sage, mint, oregano, rosemary …) contribute, then, to enhance the flavor of any dish.

Vegetables and legumes are always available: they are usually cooked in a clay pot, seasoned with olive oil and served with Friselle (toasted bread and crackers). Among the typical dishes we have to mention the savory pie of Lecce, two discs of puff pastry stuffed with mozzarella, sauce, tomato, pepper and nutmeg; the “puccia”, wheat bread round in shape with black olives in the dough : be careful because the olives are not pitted! You have to taste also “municeddhe”, snails with a white membrane that recalls the color of the monk’s dress (mudiceddhe means precisely nuns). For dessert: in addition to the famous pasticciotto of Lecce, there is a big number of delicacies prepared with almond paste. What about wine? Negramaro, the Salice Salentino and Primitivo di Manduria are just some of Salento native wines which are distinguished by the color of body and flavor.

Where to sleep in Lecce

During the last years Lecce had a real tourist explosion, so the city nowadays has a great offer of hotels, B&Bs, agritourisms.

In the old town centre there are few luxury hotels, some 3 star hotels and above all, less expensive but very cozy, B&Bs. The prices are a little bit higher than those of the suburbs. An excellent alternative are the hamlets and agritourisms located just outside the town, near the sea or among the olive trees. They are renovated old farmhouses, many of them with swimming pool.

If you are looking for a hotel in Lecce, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 2000 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Florence

10 things to do in Florence

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 10 Settembre 2016

If you could travel back in time, like the movie of Troisi and Benigni, during the period between 1400 and 1500, you could meet in Florence Brunelleschi and Masaccio, Donatello and Michelangelo, Lorenzo the Magnificent and Savonarola. Each one of them doing their work: architect, painter, sculptor, prince and preacher in order to transform (without knowing and maybe without wanting) this little city, placed on the Arno’s shore, into a masterpiece: the cradle of the Renaissance. Before that period, Florence was a calm and rich city, but after, it became a model to the “New Man” who was coming out from the Middle Age. In a few kilometers, thanks to the artists, palaces, museums, churches, bridges began to rise. The paintings in the workshops were destined to change the history of art forever. All these masterpieces made of stone, canvas and marble are in a perfect state of preservation, open to everybody… if you succeed to find a place among the crowd of tourists. In this page we suggest 10 things to do and see during a holiday or a weekend in Florence.

If you are looking for a hotel in Florence, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 700 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Duomo, Campanile di Giotto and Brunelleschi’s Cupola in Florence

The Brunelleschi’s Cupola (dome) is still the tallest building in Florence nowadays. The Campanile (bell tower) was designed by Giotto but he never saw it finished. The baptistery is one of the oldest building in Florence, it was built in the IV century. With its wonderful main doors, it looks like an illustrated Bible. The Duomo, with its marvelous façade made of white and green marble, catches the eyes of everybody . There’s no other place in the world with a complex of so extraordinary buildings. We’re in the middle of Florence, in front of Santa Maria del Fiore, that everybody calls “the Cathedral”.

A church of 153 meters high, built in 170 years, to make the rival cities (Siena and Pisa) envious. In this ambitious realization were involved the most important artists of Florence: from Giotto to Brunelleschi, from Vasari to Talenti, from Arnolfo di Cambio to Lorenzo Ghiberti. Any tour of Florence starts from here: looking at the Campanile you’ll have the amazed expression, asking yourself how men have created such a wonder.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When:
Cathedral
Monday-Wednesday and Friday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday:
10:00 am to 4:00 pm (May and October)
10:00 am to 5:00 pm (July-September),
10:00 am to 4:30 pm (from January to April, June, November and December);
Saturday: 10:00 am to 4:45 pm
Sundays and religious holidays: 1:30 to 4:45 pm
Holy Thursday: 12:30 to 4:30 pm
Holy Friday: 10:30 am to 4:30 pm
Holy Saturday: 11:00 am to 4:45 pm
The opening days and times of access may vary on the basis of religious celebrations.
Closed Christmas, 1 January, Epiphany and Easter.
Bell tower
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8:30 am to 7:30 pm
Epiphany: 8:30 am to 2:00 pm
The ticket office closes 40 minutes before closing.
Annual closing: New Year, Easter and Christmas.
Baptistery
Monday-Saturday: 11:15 am to 7:00 pm
Sunday and first Saturday of the month: 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.;
Easter Monday, April 25th, May 1st, Holy Thursday, Holy Friday and Holy Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 pm
Access allowed up to 30 minutes before closing.
The opening days and times of access may vary on the basis of religious celebrations.
Annual closing: New Year, Easter and Christmas.

Ponte Vecchio in Florence

Florence’s most beautiful bridge, and one of the most photographed too, wasn’t in the past a chic place. Nowadays goldsmiths shops are an attraction for tourists, but until 1565 most of the shops were groceries and butcher’s shops. When it was built the “Corridoio Vasariano” (Vasari corridor), that runs over the bridge, the butchers and the grocers were driven out . Goldsmiths and artisans were considered more suitable trades for the beauty of the place. From that time, the gold became a protagonist of Ponte Vecchio, as the statue of Benvenuto Cellini (the greatest goldsmith of Florence) reminds us.

In 1565 Giorgio Vasari built for Cosimo I Dè Medici the “Corridoio Vasariano” to connect Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti (at that time it was residence of the Medici family). The corridor is one kilometre long, it starts from Palazzo Vecchio, passes through the Galleria degli Uffizi (Uffizi Gallery) over the workshops of Ponte Vecchio and ends in Palazzo Pitti. It seems that Hitler during the Second World War bombardments ordered to save the bridge. Beauty sometimes lights up even the tyrants.

Palazzo Vecchio in Florence

The first thing you can notice of Palazzo Vecchio is that you can’t take a full picture of it. Even if you go in the farthest place in Piazza della Signoria, the palace is too large and too tall to enter in just one picture. You can’t stop taking pictures of it because it’s considered the best example of 1300 civil architecture. The palace has the “Torre di Arnolfo” which is 94 meters tall . It was built in 1310 and on its top you can see the flag with the Florentine fleur- de -lis. At the entrance of Palazzo Vecchio is exposed (as a support for the pigeons too…) a copy of Michelangelo’s David.

This beautiful palace is in Piazza della Signoria, a place for long-time considered “cursed”, because it was the terrain of the struggle between guelphs and ghibellines. Today, faded away the memories of this bloody past, Piazza della Signoria is the centre of the social, civil and political life of all Florence’s city.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When:
From October to March: Every day from 9 am to 7 pm
Thursday and holidays from 9 am To 2 pm.
From April to September: Every day except the Thursday: 9 am 11 pm
MEZZANINO-DONATION LOESER
Every day except Thursday: 9 am – 7 pm
Thursday: 9 am -2pm
TOWER
(Not allowed access to children under 6 years)
Access to the tower is suspended in case of rain
From October to March
Every day except Thursday: 10 am – 5 pm
Thursday: 10 am – 2 pm
From April to September
Every day except Thursday: 9 am 9 pm
Thursday: 9 am – 2 pm
The ticket office closes one hour before the museum
December 25: Closed Museum, Archaeological route and Tower
Tickets:
Museum: Adults: € 10 / € 8 Reduced
Torre: € 10 / € 8
+ Museum Tower: € 14 / € 12
In case of rain, access to the Tower will be suspended. You can still visit the walkway of Ronda with reduced ticket (+ € 2.00)
The climb is forbidden to children under 6 years old and not recommended for visitors with mobility difficulties, for heart patients, asthmatics, those who suffer from vertigo and claustrophobia. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

The Uffizi Gallery in Florence

One Caravaggio’s masterpiece returns and the one of Raffaelo is gone. Tiziano leaves for an art exhibition but the “Angeli” by Rosso Fiorentino are back. The Uffizi Gallery is like an art supermarket, a case that contains masterpieces of each historical period and the favorite destination for all the art lovers. It’s quite strange to see tourists stand patiently in queue whereas the greatest part of the Italians has never been to the Uffizi.

There are a lot of things to see. If you think about a painting, it is probably kept here. The path inside this huge museum begins with the 1300 room which host the three altar pieces made by Cimabue, Duccio di Buoninsegna and Giotto. They represent the “Enthroned Virgin and child” . You can admire other masterpieces too: Botticelli, Leonardo, Signorelli, Perugino, Durer, Caravaggio… We want to give you just one tip: during your stay in Florence you should schedule an entire day dedicated to the Uffizi, wear a pair of comfortable shoes and enjoy the show.

Where: old town centre
How to get there: by feet
When: From Tuesday to Saturday from 8.15 am to 6.50 pm.
Closing time: Every Monday, 1st January, 1st May, 25th December.
Ticket office close at 6.05 pm. Closure operations starts at 6.35 pm
How much: Full ticket € 12.50

Cappella Brancacci in Florence

An angel with a sword chases Adam and Eve in order to expel them from the Eden. Adam covers his face with his hand, he cries and tries to hide himself because of the shame. Eve has the defaced face by the pain, her face is visible because hers arms are covering her breast.

It’s a devasting scene, this fresco is considered one of the highest pointof art history and it’s painted on the vaulted ceiling of the Cappella Brancacci (chapel) in Florence, in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine. Masolino and Masaccio, young and old, teacher and pupil, frescoed this chapel together, which was commissioned by Felice Brancacci. Brancacci obliged the two guys to work on the same walls to reduce the style differences at the minimum. It ‘s a masterpiece that surprises everyone, believers or not , telling the sin’s history and other episodes of the Bible and Gospel.

Where: Piazza del Carmine 14
How to get there: by feet in the old town centre
When – Hours:
Wednesday – Saturday and Monday: from 10 am to 5 pm
Public holiday from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Closed: Tuesday, New Year, January 7, Easter, May 1, July 16, August 15, Christmas.
Tickets: Full ticket € 6

Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence

Michelangelo’s grave, protected by three statues that represent the painting, the sculpture and the architecture, is placed at the entrance of the Basilica. In front of it there’s the Galileo Galilei’s tomb. A little forward there’s Dante’s cenotaph but not his remains which are in Ravenna, where he dead. Then you can find Vittorio Alfieri, Antonio Canova, Nicolò Machiavelli, Gioacchino Rossini and Ugo Foscolo who defined Santa Croce as the place where were preserved “le urne dei forti” (the mortal remains of the great people”).

But Santa Croce isn’t just a collection of tombs of the greatest Italian people. Indeed, at the end of the Church, there are the Chapels frescoed by Giotto with the history of San Francesco’s life. In the Cappella dei Pazzi (chapel), where Giuliano Dè Medici was killed and Lorenzo the Magnificent was injured in a conspiracy, there’s a crucifix made by Cimabue.

Where: city centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: weekday from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Sunday and Religious holidays (6th January, 15th August, 1st November, 8th December) from 2 pm to 5.30 pm. Easter Monday, 25th April, 1st May, 2nd June, from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.
Closing time and last entrance: 5 pm
Closed: 1st January, Easter, 13th June, 4th October, 25th/26th December.
In case of extraordinary events taking place in Piazza Santa Croce (eg: games of the historic Florentine football at the end of June) and for of publicpolicy issues, the closure can be anticipated
Tickets: Full ticket costs 6,00 €
Combined ticket with Casa Buonarroti :8 €
Where to buy tickets: Tickets are on sale only at the ticket office of the Opera, in the loggia on Largo Bargellini (Via S. Giuseppe side).

Chiesa di Santa Maria Novella in Florence

It was not possible that the churches of Santo Spirito and Santa Croce, belonging respectively to the Augustinian and Franciscans friars, were the most beautiful and majestic churches in Florence. For this reason the Dominicans in 1278 began the construction of the Church of Santa Maria Novella, that became a wonderful example of “Tuscan – Romanesque style”, thanks to the use of white, black and green marble.

The interior has three naves in which the Crucifix of Giotto immediately attracts the visitor’s eye. In the transept, in Cappella Strozzi, there is a wonderful cycle of frescoes made by Filippino Lippi. In the main chapel or Tornabuoni there is a famous Ghirlandaio’s fresco cycle in which the character portraits are all important figures of the time, including the Tornabuoni people. In the Cappella Gondi there is the Crucifix made by Brunelleschi, the only wooden work of the artist. The most important work of all Santa Maria Novella is the Trinity of Masaccio that is a totally revolutionary art. Jesus on the cross, at his feet the Virgin and St. John, with the buyers of the work on the side, Lenzi spouses. The vault over Christ seems that really exists, so that Vasari used to say that “It appears a hole in that wall.” The Virgin does not watch his son ,who is dying , but points at the viewer of the picture, resigned to a fate that must be accomplished for all men’s salvation.

Where: close to the station Santa Maria Novella
How to get there: by feet
When- Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Friday: 11:00 am to 5:30 pm
Saturdays: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Sundays and religious holidays:
July-September: 12:00 to 5:30 pm
October to June: 13:00 to 5:30 p.m.
The ticket office closes 45 minutes before closing time

Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence

In 1784 the Gallery was founded by Pietro Leopoldo Grand Duke of Tuscany, to help the Academy fine art’s students with the Florentine art studies. Called also Museum of Michelangelo, for the abundance of the Florentine genius works, the gallery currently holds the sculptures of other artists and paintings from the XIV to XVI century.

The most important work of the Gallery is undoubtedly Michelangelo’s David that was exposed to the windy and cold of Piazza della Signoria, now replaced by a copy. The statue depicts the biblical hero when he is about to face the giant Golia and symbolizes the victory of intelligence and courage against the pure brute force. Michelangelo worked to the David from 1502 to 1504 using a block of marble that had been previously used by Agostino di Duccio and Antonio Rossellino. Both artists abandoned the sculpture because they judged the marble too fragile to support the weight of a statue of 4 meters and 10 high . Michelangelo made some special interventions making David a symbol of formal perfection and eternal beauty that emerges in spite of the cold marble.

Where: Via Ricasoli
How to get there: From the Cathedral by feet taking Via Ricasoli
When-Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday, from 8.15 am to 6.50 pm
Closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day, May 1st, Christmas
The ticket office closes at 6.20 pm
Closing operations begin at 6.40 pm

Things to eat in Florence

Florentine cuisine is famous thanks to the Florentine steak, but it has more to offer: its dishes are born from common people fantasy that used to transforms poor and essential ingredients into extraordinary courses.

The meal usually starts with some salami and liver bruschetta or a “fettunta” (bruschetta with salt and oil) Among the first courses, there are the “pappa al Pomodoro” (literally “food with tomato”), and the Tuscan soup. The Florentine steak is the really queen of the table and people of Florence always specify that it must be at least 1 kilo weight. Among the second courses there is the tripe and the lamprey with beans as side dish. As all the red meat, Florentine should be served with red wine, even on the wines Tuscany has a lot to offer: Chianti, Brunello, Montepulciano. If you want to know where you can eat it in Florence we suggest you to avoid the restaurants of the city centre. It is enough to move a little away from the centre of the city to find great restaurants, where you can eat very well without making your credit card cry.

Where to sleep in Florence

Since there are always many foreign tourists and Italian schools, Florence is a city organized all around the tourism. This means that the offer of hotels, B&Bs, guest houses and rooms is exceptional, but also that you will have to look for a while, and book early to find a place to sleep with a good relationship between the price spent and the quality of the room.

In the old town centre there are many rooms in B&Bs and small 3-star hotel with an average price of about 100 Euros per night. Moving out of the center, reachable on foot, however, you can save some money and you can get a better hotel

If you are looking for a hotel in Florence, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 2000 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Bologna cities of art

10 things to do and see in Bologna

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 10 Settembre 2016

“Erudite, red and fat”: these are the three nicknames used to describe Bologna, chief town of the rich region Emilia Romagna. Bologna “la Dotta – the Erudite”, because in Bologna you can find one of the most ancient Universities of the world, still attended by many Italian and foreign students. Bologna “la Rossa – the Red”, because of the colour of the roofs, the typical colour of the medieval age. Bologna “la Grassa – the Fat”, because of its delicious cuisine: Bologna’s food is known all around the world because it can seduce everybody. In this page we suggest 10 things to do and see during a holiday or a weekend in Bologna.

If you are looking for a hotel in Bologna, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 120 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

Piazza Maggiore in Bologna

Piazza Maggiore or Piazza Grande (called in this way by people of Bologna and Lucio Dalla, a famous italian singer), is the heart of Bologna because is the centre of the religious and civil life of this city. It’s famous for the Fontana di Nettuno and for the ancient medieval buildings into the square: The Palazzo Comunale (City Hall) , the Palazzo dei Bianchi, the huge San Petronio Basilica and, in front of the basilica, the Palazzo del Podestà All these buildings testify the story of this city from 1200, when people of Bologna needed a market square.

All the buildings, that were there before, were bought by the township and then destroyed. In 1400 the square was completed and took the austere appearance that we can see today. In spite of its historical importance there’s a legend among students of the University of Bologna: it’s bad luck to pass through the square from the centre, it must be crossed going along the borders. Students that don’t follow this suggestion risk to never get the University degree.

Basilica di San Petronio in Bologna

The Basilica di San Petronio is the most important church in Bologna and it’s the fifth largest church in the world. The construction of this church began in 1390 and continued for centuries. In order to build this temple, civil pride’s symbol of Bologna, towers, houses and eight churches were destroyed.

This is the last big Gothic church realized in Italy, characterised by a Latin cross plan with three naves and chapels. You can’t miss the Cappella Bolognini frescoed with Stories of the Three Kings; the left wall, at the top, The Last Judgment and Heaven. At the bottom of the fresco, the Hell with an extraordinary and big Lucifer, and the representation of the prophet Muhammad in hell.

This Basilica has been for long time used by the township of Bologna as public building for many purposes: place of ceremonies, court, public meeting; in 1929 after the Patti Lateranensi (Lateran Pacts: agreements made between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See), it returned property of the church. If you visit this Basilica you can’t miss the beautiful Sundial made by Cassini, which demonstrate that the Earth moves around the sun.

Where: city centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: from 7.45 am to 2.00 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm
Tickets: free entrance, during exhibitions some frescoes could not be free

Asinelli's Tower

The towers are one of the main features of Bologna. Between the XII and XIII century many towers were built, but nowadays they are less than twenty. These towers had a military and civil function: they gave prestige to the families which paid for their construction.

The two most important towers are The Asinelli’s tower and the Garisenda.

Asinelli’s tower was built between the 1109 and the 1119 by Asinelli’s family, which used the tower also for military reasons. In 1448 a little stronghold was added to the tower in order to host soldiers. Nowadays the arch and the arcades host artisans’ shops in memory of the commercial function of this city during the middle age. The visitors have to climb 498 wooden stairs to reach the top of this tower, that is 97,20 meters high. From there they can enjoy the beautiful view of Bologna’s red roofs. When the weather is good it’s possible to see the sea and the Alps. Garisenda Tower is less high (47 meters) and cannot be visited

Where: city centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Summer from 9 am to 6 pm, Winter 9 am to 5 pm
Tickets: 3 €

Basilica di Santo Stefano in Bologna

The Basilica is a complex of sacred buildings that form the “Sette Chiese” (Seven churches). The complex is placed in a triangular shaped square (it has been recently restored) and is made by Chiesa del Crocifisso, Basilica del Sepolcro, Chiesa di San Vitale e Sant’Agricola, Cortile di Pilato, Chiesa del Martyrium, Chiostro Medievale (the medieval cloister) and Museo di Santo Stefano.

All the buildings are very ancient, and even if they were built in different periods, they have a certain stylistic uniformity. This complex is the most interesting and best preserved Romanesque monument in Bologna. The project was probably made when the bishop Petronio, after a voyage in Jerusalem in the V century, decided to make a reproduction of the sacred places of that city in Bologna. After all the restoration works made during the centuries, the churches are nowadays only four

Where: city centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Every day from 8 am to 7 pm
Ticket: free offer

Bologna Canals

Maybe only few people know that Bologna have always been a city of water, a little Venice now largely hidden. The most charming part of this unusual Bologna is discovered by opening a small window located in Via Piella. Here, as in a vision, the view is on the Moline canal, used for centuries to power water mills with which people used to work the wheat.

Forgotten for decades, so much that most of the canals were buried in the ’50s, the water nature of Bologna has been rediscovered recently by the residents who are trying to revalue it. Besides the window of Via Piella, other “views” have been opened on Canale delle Moline from via Oberdan and via Malcontenti. Around the old town, you can see half-hidden torrents, you can hear the sound of water but you can’t see it. Where? In the Jewish Ghetto, under which flows the Aposa river or between via delle Moline and via Capo di Lucca, where you can hear the roar of Salto del Reno river.

Pinacoteca Nazionale in Bologna

The Pinacoteca Nazionale of Bologna is one of the most important museum collections in Italy. The works here represent a trace the history of art in this region from the XIII to the XIX century. You can see painting of artists as Raffaello, Carracci, Reni, Perugino, Parmigianino, Tintoretto, Vasari, Guercino and other personalities.

The first core of this museum was a donation made by Monsignor Francesco Zambeccari; then during the years, thanks to donations of private citizens, acquisitions and legacies, this Pinacoteca has become one of the most appreciated and famous gallery in Italy and Europe. The museum has thirty exposition rooms and spaces dedicated to temporary exhibitions and didactic activities. The Pinacoteca besides exposing, preserves, keeps and studies the artistic patrimony of the city of Bologna and Emilia Romagna region.

Where: city centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: from Tuesday – Wednesday , 9 am – 1 pm; Thursday-Sunday and holidays , 2 – 7 pm.
Never: Monday
Tickets: 4 €, reduced tickets 2 €

Porticoes of San Luca in Bologna

What would be Bologna without its porticoes? This city is covered by porticoes for almost 40 kilometres. Porticoes are not only an architectural element but represent the very essence and the mood of the city.

In the summertime they are a perfect refuge from the sun and in the cold seasons a perfect refuge from the rain. They are the open subway of Bologna, covered path that allow people to reach all the points of the city centre.

The most famous colonnade is about 4 km from the centre of Bologna that leads to the Church of San Luca, the symbol of Bologna placed over the Colle della Guardia . The church was built between 1723 and 1757 to replace an earlier XV century church. The church has an elliptical plan with the Greek cross interior, decorated with works by Guido Reni and Guercino. The covered colonnade, with 666 arches, connects the sanctuary to Porta Zaragoza in city. The number of 666 (the symbol of the devil) is full of symbolic references: the arches have the shape of a snake (the devil) crushed by the foot of the Holy Virgin, represented by the church. The climb, then, is a path of liberation and purification from sin. Every year, during the week of the Ascension, from the church starts the procession that carry the Madonna and Child to the cathedral. Along the porticoes of San Luca people use to jog , especially on Sundays. If you want to deal with them, you should wear comfortable shoes and lots of patience, because it is very hard!

Chiesa di Santa Maria della Vita in Bologna

This small church can be reached by a side road of Piazza Maggiore, and it’s worth a visit for the beautiful “Mourning over the Dead Christ” made in the second half of the ‘400 by Niccolò dell’Arca.

This sculpture group is considered one of the masterpieces of Italian sculpture, even if it’s unknown to many people. The pain expressed by the faces of the statues let Gabriele D’Annunzio to define the work a “scream of the stone” .The Church of Santa Maria della Vita was founded in the second half of the XIII century by the Confraternity dei Battuti o Flagellati and it’s considered the most important example of Bolognese Baroque. Don’t miss the nearby chapel and the Museo della Sanità which preserves the memory of the hospital wanted by flagellants.

Where: city centre
How to get there: by feet
When – Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10 am – 7 pm. Closed on Monday
Ticket: free entrance

Things to eat in Bologna

The Bologna gastronomic fame dates back to the Middle Ages, when students and professors from all over the world needed an enrichment of food culture. Bolognese cuisine, like the one of Emilia in general, is varied and abundant. Besides the famous tortelli, still hand-made by pasta makers and served in broth, pasta and pork meat are the main characters of the boards. Some typical dishes are created thanks to the many combinations of these two elements.

Among these typical dishes there is the sauce, prepared with mixed pork meat, veal and beef; tagliatelle , prepared with flour and eggs; lasagne, seasoned with alternate layers of meat sauce, bechamel sauce and parmesan cheese; Bolognese cutlet, covered with cheese and a slice of ham. Also from porkmeat is made the mortadella, a typical salami which is used to fill the ravioli, but also a froth that can be used as ingredient for sandwiches and croutons. Among the desserts, there’s the famous Certosino cake: it is a Christmas cake made with honey, almonds, candied fruit, pine nuts, butter, raisins, cinnamon and dark chocolate.

Where to sleep in Bologna

A constant presence of students, professors, businessmen and tourists make it difficult to find a cheap place, especially in high season. But you don’t have to be worried about it, Bologna has an excellent accommodation capacity of hotels, B&Bs and apartments.

Hotels of the city centre are the most expensive, but don’t choose them if you want to get there by car: Bologna has a very wide restricted traffic zone and there are fines for unauthorized access. Just outside the centre or near the station there are small hotels and B&Bs where you can find typical hospitality and friendliness of Bologna. Hotel prices start at 50 Euros per night in 3 star hotel.

If you are looking for a hotel in Bologna, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 2000 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

cities of art Pisa

10 things to do and see in Pisa

Autore articolo Di Jose
Data dell'articolo 10 Settembre 2016

When Pisa is mentioned, everybody thinks about its tower, but this impressive leaning bell tower it’s just one of the many monuments you can find in this nice Tuscan city. The beautiful Piazza del Duomo collects, in a unique architectural complex in the world, the so called Campo dei Miracoli (Miracles square), the main religious monuments of the city: the Tower, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Campo Santo (the graveyard). Pisa, however, it’s not just about this square: it will be enough to move just a little to discover the artistic beauty that make Pisa one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Buildings, monuments and museums keep alive the memory of a past time during which Pisa was the Maritime Republic and, for a long time, the undisputed master of the Mediterranean sea .

In addition Pisa is still considered the Queen of studies, this title was assigned to Pisa from Florence, and is a very young, dynamic and animated city. Here, then, are 10 things to do and see during a holiday or a weekend in Pisa.

If you are looking for a hotel in Pisa, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 100 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

The leaning tower of Pisa

Symbol of the city, thanks to its characteristic slope, this tower is the most famous monument of Piazza del Duomo and it was built between the XII and the XIV century. This tower leans because the ground gave during its early stage of construction, and since then it has remained in this way. Even if it could looks scaring, you don’t have to worry about it: the vertical axis, passing through its centre of gravity, falls into the support base, so the tower will never fall down, unless the laws of physics should be subverted.

We don’t have certain informations about who built this tower, maybe it was the architect Diotisalvi, who in that period was working at the Baptistery. But even if there are several analogies between the two monuments the diatribe about the paternity of the tower is still open. The tower has been proposed as one of the seven wonders of the contemporary world.

How to get there: From the central station: shuttle bus A or the bus n°3
When – Hours: from March to October, every day from 9 am to 7 pm. From November to February every day from 9.30 am to 5 pm. From April to September every day from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm. From the 14th June to the 15th September you can make a night visit from 8.30 pm to 11 pm.
Tickets: 18 €

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Pisa

The Cathedral of Pisa, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, is the most significant example of the Pisa Romanesque art. The architect Buscheto joined the classical tradition with elements from the Norman, Byzantine, Pre-Christian and Arabic arts, creating a new style which anticipated the Florentine Renaissance.

The Cathedral of Pisa testifies the prestige that the Maritime Republic reached in its moment of maximum power. Its construction began in 1604, in the same date of the beginning of the works of the Basilica of San Marco in Venice; probably it was risen a sort of silent competition between the two Republics for who was able to build the most beautiful and sumptuous worship place. The current aspect of the Cathedral is the result of continues restauration works made in different epochs. During the IX century some of the statues has been substituted with copies, the originals are now in the Museum of Opera del Duomo

How to get there: From the central station: shuttle bus A or the bus n°3
When – Hours: Winter from 10 am to 12.45 pm and from 3 pm to 4.45 pm during weekdays; from 3 pm to 4.45 pm on Sundays and public holidays. In Autumn, Spring and Summer from 8 am to 8 pm
Tickets: 2 €

Pisa Baptistery

The Pisa Baptistery too forms the monumental complex of Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral square or Miracle’s square). Its construction began in 1153 thanks to the architect Diotisalvi, as an inscription inside an interior pillar testifies, but a lot of the sculptures on the façade have been made by Nicola Pisano and his son Giovanni.

Nicola Pisano made also the pulpit that represents scenes from the Christ’s life and subject that represents the virtues: all masterpieces testify how their creator has been one of the principals precursors of the Renaissance art. The external dome covers only the first part of columns and probably the lack of money caused it. The dome, in fact, is made by different materials (red shingles and lead plates); for the same reason there are no frescoes on the ceiling, even if they were on the original plan. The Baptistery is the biggest monument in Italy.

How to get there: From the central station: shuttle bus A or the bus n°3
When – Hours: from November to February from 10 am to 4.30 pm. From March to October from 9 am to 6.30 pm
Never: 1st January and 25th December
Tickets: Full ticket 5 € and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is included

The monumental graveyard of Pisa

The last wonder of Campo dei Miracoli ( Miracles square) is the monumental graveyard of Pisa, a sacred place. The crusaders brought there the saint-ground taken on the Golgotha mountain, just outside Jerusalem. There are buried the most important people of Pisa, and there can be found art works from the Etruscan time passing through the Roman and Medieval era until the last century. Simple white marble walls guards the graves; the most important persons were buried into the garden or in the Roman sarcophagi, while the other were buried under the arcades.

In the XIX century the Graveyard was restructured, the sarcophagi was moved under the arcades to protect them, so currently everything is under them. The mix between celebration of the history and the death made this Graveyard one of the most visited place during 1800 until the second world war bombardments caused serious damages to the frescoes. In 1945 started the renovation works and they are still in progress.

How to get there: From the central station: shuttle bus A or the bus n°3
When – Hours: from November to February from 10 am to 4,30 pm. From Match to October from 9 am to 6,30 pm
Never: 1st January and 25th December
Tickets: Full ticket 5 € and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is included

Banks of the Arno

Pisa is famous for Piazza dei Miracoli ( Miracles square), but it is also known for its banks of the Arno: all the streets that go along the Arno are an important point of meeting for young people and reference’s point for the tourists. There are important buildings, dated back to the Middle age, that during the centuries have been transformed. Towers, bridges and buildings, in spite of their actual Renaissance appearance, have a medieval soul, which can’t be ignored by the eye of an attentive tourist.

Among the great number of the banks of the Arno, the most famous is the Medicean one which hosts a great number of historical buildings, such as: Palazzo dei Medici, Palazzo Toscanelli and the church of Matteo in Soarta. On the bank of the Arno Gambacorti there’s a small gothic jewel, the church of Santa Maria della Spina. It took this name in 1333 when it hosted the relic of a spur from Christ’s crown (now exposed in the church of Santa Chiara). If you are in Pisa on 16th June, you cannot miss the illustrations of San Ranieri: the backs of the Arno are illuminated by candle lights enhancing the outlines of all buildings and creating a play of light and colors.

Piazza dei Cavalieri – Knights Square in Pisa

The hurried tourist, who leaves Pisa after the classic visit around the Campo dei Miracoli (Miracles Square) ,misses this wonderful town square. Piazza dei Cavalieri owes its name to the presence of the headquarter of the Order of Knights of St. Stephen. For centuries it has been the site of a national civil power, even though today it’s above all a cultural and study place thanks to the presence of the Scuola Normale of Pisa, housed in the Palace of the Caravan.

Extraordinary example of Renaissance architecture designed by Giorgio Vasari, who decorated it with allegorical figures and zodiacal signs. Close to it there is the beautiful Palazzo dell’Orologio (Clock Palace), medieval building in which it was built the Torre della Fame (Tower of Starvation). In the Divine Comedy Dante told the story that the Count Ugolino della Gherardesca died in 1289, in that tower, with its children and grandchildren. The other buildings in the square are Canonica, il Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici, the church of Santo Stefano and the one of San Rocco. The Church of Santo Stefano was built by Giorgio Vasari and inside there is the painting Stoning of Saint Stephen with the addition of the Birth of Christ by Bronzino. At the center of the square stands the statue of Cosimo I as a Grand Master of the Knights.

The Mural made by Keith Haring in Pisa

In 1989, passing through Pisa, Keith Haring left to the city an extraordinary work of art: the mural “Tuttomondo”, painted on the rear façade of the convent of the friars “Servi di Maria” of the church of St. Anthony.

The church is located close to the station, in an urban context in which the artist used to expressed itself at the best. A few months later Haring would die and this mural is one of his last works. He had this idea in New York after a casual meeting with a Pisan student with whom he talked about world peace. The characters inside the murals are 30, stuck like a puzzle, and each one represents one aspect of a world in peace: there are “humanized” scissors defeating the evil serpent that was eating the head of the another figure. Then there is motherhood, represented by the woman with the baby in her arms, the nature with the two men supporting the dolphin and so on. Haring used soft colors, as a form of respect for the beauty of Pisa. He worked on it for a week, with the intention of making a permanent work, in fact, he used the colors specially made by craftsmen of the Caparol Center, tempera and acrylic that could keep intact the quality of color for a long time. After 20 years “Tuttomondo” is still there to remind us the brief and intense life of this extraordinary artist.

Narrow Borgo and wide Borgo

If you pass through the old town centre of Pisa probably you’ll pass through the narrow borgo (burg), or “the Borgo “, as people of Pisa use to call it. It’s the most typical street of the center, with its colonnades, the shops, the café. Along the way you can see buildings of the XIV and XV centuries that formed the nucleus of the ancient Pisa: here the noble families and merchants competed to build the most beautiful, the tallest and colorful building. All that splendor can be seen so much today

Going along via delle Colonne you can arrive in Piazza Vettovaglie, secular place of the food market, originally Piazza dei Porci. Once the arcades of Borgo Stretto are finished there is Piazza del Pozzetto (Borgo Largo) but first we suggest you to stop to see the wood tabernacle with inside a copy of Madonna dei Vetturini of Nino Pisano.

Things to eat in Pisa

The gastronomy isn’t very popular because it isn’t very different from the Tuscany one, even if it’s more spiced and abundant. Anyway here the food has its own plates such as: the frog soup, the white beans of San Michele soup and the bavettine (kind of pasta) on the fish. The fish is one of the main ingredients of these recipes: grilled grey mullet and cod recipes, boiled Mediterranean spiderfish, sweet and sour cod are the most famous recipes. You can also taste game, in particular pheasant meat, wild boar or wild rabbit.

It’s very known also the pesto pisano, different from the Genova pesto because it has the pine kernels too. To complete your meal you can have a cake too, such as Torta co’ bischeri (the pastry pins that come out of the mold) , the most typical sweet and famous of the Pisan gastronomy.

Where to sleep in Pisa

Pisa attracts about 1 million of different tourists: there are many foreigners, Italians who visit for a school weekend, many trips and even a good number of people who commute to the city to take advantage of the excellent local hospitals.

It’s therefore not easy to find a cheap room, especially in high season and during periods of school trips. We suggest, therefore, to book in advance especially if you want three stars midrange hotels in the tourist areas. Hotel prices in the center start from 80 € per night in a double room including breakfast. A good alternative are the hotels and cottages on the outskirts of Pisa.

If you are looking for a hotel in Pisa, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 2000 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com