Cultural vacation in Tuscany

Tuscany is famous far beyond Italy's borders as one of the most beautiful regions in Europe. Year after year, a large number of tourists are drawn to this historic area in central Italy. The capital Florence is one of the most visited cities in the world. Known today primarily as the cradle, center and stronghold of the Renaissance, Tuscany has a long and varied history History look back. The Etruscan people, who inhabited the area in ancient times before it was forcibly incorporated into the Roman Empire, gave the region its name.

During the reign of the Medici, Tuscany later developed into a center for finance, art and architecture. Today the economy is heavily influenced by tourism. While Florence, Pisa, Siena and other places not mentioned here undoubtedly offer enough things to see to spend several days in one city, a well-developed transport infrastructure in combination with relatively short distances enables day trips to a wide variety of cities. Whatever you prefer, the ideal place to relax after an eventful day is your own accommodation. There are numerous different options for this Apartments in Tuscany are available to support you.

Florence: the cradle of the Renaissance

With almost 400.000 inhabitants, Florence is both the capital and the largest city in the region. In the Uffizi-Museum houses one of the most significant art collections in the world. Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, better known by its unofficial name Florence Cathedral, is one of the most impressive buildings of the Renaissance and was considered an architectural and technical masterpiece at the time. The cathedral can also be climbed and offers its visitors a wide view of the city. The Pantheon of Florence (officially Santa Groce), whose foundation stone was laid by Francis of Assisi himself - at least according to legend - is just as characteristic of the cityscape of Florence as the cathedral. Numerous greats of Italian history are buried here, including Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo and Gioachino Rossini. The former center of the Medici can be found in the district otrarno view. Here stands the largest building in Florence south of the Arno River: the Renaissance palace Palazzo Pitti from the 15th century.

Pisa: More than a Leaning Tower

You can get from Florence in just over an hour to an hour and a half by car or train Pisa. On the northwestern edge of the old town of Pisa is the green area Square of Miracles. The sprawling, world-famous square, often too place of miracles is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to some of the most important Romanesque buildings. Among other things, the even better known one can be found there Leaning Tower of Pisa. Originally conceived as a free-standing bell tower for the neighboring Pisa Cathedral, the clayey soil could not support its weight and caused it to tilt, making it the city's landmark and a unique magnet for tourists. Next to the tower, an equally free-standing baptistery completes the Baptistery of Pisa, the layout of the cathedral. That is considered the largest baptistery in the world. Just a few hundred meters walk from place of miracles lies the Botanical Garden of Pisa. Its foundation dates back to the 16th century. With the efforts of the doctor and botanist Luca Ghini and with the financial support of the Medici, a historic garden was created here, which is considered the oldest of its kind and is now home to more than 6.000 different plants, including many rare and exotic ones.

Siena: Immerse yourself in the Italian Middle Ages

While Florence and Pisa is undoubtedly the most famous place in Tuscany apply, there are many other cities that have a lot to offer for holidaymakers interested in culture. An example of this is the town of Siena, located almost 50 kilometers south of the capital Florence, with which Siena was in competition for a long time. Siena, which was once an independent city-state, offers an excellently preserved medieval city center. This is a particularly good place to immerse yourself in the lifestyle of past centuries. The city is known for its architecture like the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. With its black and white marbled facade and the ornate interior, which was created by Michelangelo, among others, it is considered one of the most important Gothic buildings today. Horse racing is also held in Siena Palio of Siena instead of. This cultural highlight goes back to a medieval tradition and is still held two to three times a year.