Tuscany, Quiet Jewel of Italy

When people think about a trip to Italy, they often have certain famous cities of the world spring to mind...Venice, Florence, Rome, Pisa, to name a few. However, many are not aware that there is a region of Italy known for many things, including being the heart of the Italian Renaissance. Some of its famous personages include Leonardo DaVinci, Michaelangelo, and the Medici.

Tuscany is also known for (real) landscapes that look like they should have been painted by an artist and many excellent Toscana (wine) vintages.

As you may imagine, however, being located where it is, within one of the most historical lands in the world, and in position feel and affect the ebb and flow of history in the rest of Europe, there are many historically important and interesting sites to visit in Tuscany, as the author points out in the following article.


Tuscany's World Heritage Sites
By Giovanni Balboni

There are many great reasons to visit Tuscany: villas in prime locations, fine wine, stunning landscape and breath-taking architecture, all of which contribute to creating one of the most beloved and iconic regions not just in Italy, but in the whole of Europe. The natural beauty of the region has no doubt played a role in nurturing artists and writers who have single-handedly changed the course of European culture from the middle ages onwards. This natural and creative atmosphere provides a romance that many potential visitors find incredibly seductive - it's no surprise that many people return again and again to Tuscany. Villas are available across the region, giving you easy access to all parts of it. Here is a brief rundown of the UNESCO recognised World Heritage Sites in the area:

The Historic Centre of Florence

Known for administrative purposes as quartiere 1 in the centre of Florence, the historic centre is home to many world-famous landmarks, including the Bascilica di Santa Maria del Fiore and the associates Piazza del Duomo, the Piazzale degli Uffizi, and Giotto's Bell Tower. If you've never been before, this should be one of the first sights on your itinerary for Tuscany. Villas occupy many of the hills around the city, and with a hire car or public transport, Florence is easy to access.

The Historic Centre of Siena

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, the centre of Siena is one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions. The imposing Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Italian Romanesque-Gothic architecture and was built on an unusual axis, running from north to south.

Piazza del Duomo, Pisa

Another of the most romantic sights in Tuscany, villas in the northwest of the region will give you the perfect opportunity to visit the historic central square in Pisa. Although it's one of the first things you'll see, Pisa is more than just a leaning tower: the Camposanto Monumentale and the Santa Maria della Spina are also popular tourist attractions.

The Historic Centre of San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a small walled hill town famous for its impressive medieval towers that can be seen from several kilometres away. The 14 towers of varying heights have managed to survive the centuries of war and destruction that eradicated them from other cities such as Bologna and Florence.

The Historic Centre of the City of Pienza and Val d'Orcia

Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites for the price of one: the delightful historic town of Pienza and the bucolic beauty of the rolling hills in the Val d'Orcia. The main sights include the Palazzo Piccolomini and the Duomo in the centre of Pienza.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Giovanni Balboni works for "To Tuscany", who specialise in finding the perfect Tuscany villas as well as selected villas in Umbria and Puglia. "To Tuscany" is proud of their villas and their reputation. Each property is personally selected and visited by our representatives to ensure we offer only the best in the region.

Article Source: Tuscany's World Heritage Sites
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