Florence and Tuscany
ITINERARI D’ARTE E BUONA CUCINA
Florence
The historic centre of Florence is a treasure trove and an exceptional testimony to the merchant Florence of the Middle Ages and the cradle of the Italian Renaissance. Between the lively quarter of San Lorenzo and the small quarter of Santa Croce, the city contains the strongest concentration of world-famous works of art. Strolling along its historic centre, one masterpiece after another can be admired: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Piazza del Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens. And also the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Basilica of Santa Croce.
The city, which was the capital of Italy for a few years, is inextricably linked to the intellectuals and artists who made the history of art and literature from the 13th century to the Renaissance, such as Petrarch and Boccaccio, Dante Alighieri and Lorenzo de’ Medici, Filippo Brunelleschi and Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolò Machiavelli. The historical centre of Florence has also been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1982 and was one of the first sites to receive such recognition after the historical city of Rome and Leonardo da Vinci’s cenacle in Milan.
Siena
Within a radius of only 70/80 km from Florence there are three enchanting cities, to which a visit is a must: Siena, Pisa and Lucca.
Siena is known for its enchanting historic centre, its Gothic architecture, its narrow, winding alleys and magnificent churches, but also for the Palio, a historic horse race that takes place twice a year in the splendid Piazza del Campo.
The latter retains important traits of its medieval structure, for which it was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Shaped like a shell, it is distinguished by its terracotta and travertine pavement and its division into nine segments
Pisa
A little further west is Pisa, the ancient Maritime Republic known the world over for its rich history. Piazza del Duomo, the city’s most important artistic and tourist centre, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Here one can admire the four monuments that form the centre of the city’s religious life, known as miracles (so named by Gabriele D’Annunzio in the expression ‘Prato dei Miracoli’, contained in his novel Forse che sì forse che no, of 1910) for their beauty and originality: the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Campo Santo and the Campanile. Hence the popular (and improper) name Piazza dei Miracoli, which spread after the war and again later in the era of mass tourism.
The symbol of the city is undoubtedly the Leaning Tower, one of the architectural wonders of the world, from which there is a splendid panoramic view of the city.
Lucca
Continuing north we find Lucca, another city rich in history and art. Among the points of interest not to be missed are the imposing medieval walls surrounding the historical centre, perfect for a stroll or a bicycle ride, the Duomo di San Martino, a splendid Romanesque cathedral with a beautiful façade and a richly decorated interior, the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, a charming circular square built on the ruins of an ancient Roman amphitheatre, and Torre Guinigi, a medieval tower with trees on the top, which offers a panoramic view of the city.
Borghi Medievali
Thanks to its proximity to numerous towns and cities of great historical, artistic and cultural interest and the central position in the region it enjoys, Florence is undoubtedly the ideal starting point for excursions of a few hours or longer tours to discover the beauty of Tuscany.
Absolutely not to be missed are San Gimignano, called the Manhattan of the Middle Ages for its medieval towers, which make it unique, Arezzo and Prato, two very popular destinations for visitors interested in Tuscan history, art and culture, Vinci, Leonardo’s birthplace with its Museo Leonardiano, and Greve in Chianti with the splendid village of Montefioralle. Also worth a visit are Monteriggioni, Barberino del Mugello Fiesole, Pistoia, Pienza and Certaldo.
La Toscana a Tavola / Chianti e Val d’Orcia
In addition to its cities of art, culture and beautiful nature, Tuscany is also undoubtedly world-famous for its cuisine and good wine, especially its full-bodied reds with a strong flavour, such as Brunello di Montalcino, Sassicaia, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Chianti.
The area of production of the latter, considered one of the most famous and appreciated wines in the world, stretches over a vast area between Florence and Siena, scenically characterised by picturesque undulating hills covered with vineyards and characteristic medieval villages.
Further south, on the other hand, near the border with Umbria and on the slopes of Mount Amiata, lies the Val d’Orcia, a large and beautiful area of open Tuscan countryside, along the agricultural hinterland of Siena. It takes its name from the Orcia river that flows through it and is a protected park where the absolute protagonist is an amazing nature. It is no coincidence that one of the most photographed spots is where the famous Val d’Orcia cypresses can be found, near San Quirico d’Orcia.
This area is also home to the Crete Senesi, clay hills eroded by time that form the characteristic calanchi (gullies) and biancane, bare and rugged, low rounded reliefs of unquestionable, almost lunar charm. The native wines of this territory are Brunello, Rosso and Moscadello di Montalcino.
