VISIT TO TUSCANY

Tuscany, a region in Central Italy with Florence as its capital, is an area with a population of approximately 3.500.000 inhabitants. Hills make up 2/3 of the regions' total area, the climate, which is fairly mild in the coastal areas, is harsher and rainy in the inland, with considerable fluctuations in temperature. Six Tuscan localities have been UNESCO protected sites: Florence: Founded as a colony of the Etruscan city of Fiesole in about 200 BC, the town later became the Roman Florentia, a strategic garrison settlement whose purpose was to control the Via Flaminia, which linked Roma to northern Italy and Gaul. Situated on the banks of the Arno river and set among low hills covered with olive groves and vineyards, Florence is immediately captivating. Home of Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo and the Medici, the city is overflowing with art, culture and history. "Firenze" still attracts millions of tourists each year who come to view Michelangelo's David and the treasures of the museum "Galleria degli Uffizi". If possible, avoid visiting Florence during August when the weather is extremely hot, and when most Florentines depart for the coast. The best months to visit are May, June, September and October. A possible tour of Florence could start from Piazza della Repubblica, and continue via "Via Calimata" to Ponte Vecchio. Take Via de' Calzaiuoli from Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Signoria, the historic seat of the government (don't be fooled by the lookalike of Michelangelo's David outside the Palazzo Vecchio, the real one is housed in the Galleria dell'Accademia). The Uffizi are on the piazza's southern edge, near the Arno river. Cross the Ponte Vecchio, or the Ponte alle Grazie farther east, to reach Piazzale Michelangelo for a view over the city, one of the best vistas in Italy. Siena: Siena is without doubt one of Italy's most enchanting cities. Its medieval center is bristling with majestic Gothic buildings, such as the Palazzo Pubblico in the campo, Siena's main square, and a wealth of artworks is contained in its numerous churches and small museums. The city offers an incredible concentration of things to see, wich simply can't be appreciated in a day trip. Siena also makes a good base from which to explore central Tuscany, in particular the medieval towns of San Gimignano and Volterra. According to legend Siena was founded by the son of Remus, and the symbol of the wolffeeding of the twins Romulus and Remus is as ubiquitous in Siena as in Roma. In reality the city was probably of Etruscan origin, although it wasn't until the 1st century BC, when the Romans established a military colony called Sena Julia, that it began to grow into a proper town. Historic Siena, still largely surrounded by its medieval walls, is small and easily tackled by tourists on foot, even though the way in which streets swirl around the campo in semi-circles will confuse you for much of your stay. The fabolous Piazza del Campo is the city's heart and the main streets are the Banchi di Sopra, Via di Città and Banchi di Sotto. There are 8 city gates through which you can enter Siena; probably the best one to use is Porta San Marco, south-west of the city centre, as it has a well signposted route to the centre. Pisa: It is impossible to think about Pisa without the tilting bell tower and its graceful arcaded galleries leaping to mind, but the city offers lots more. The tower is only one element of the fabulous trio of Romanesque buildings in the city's beautiful Campo dei Miracoli. The city has a centuries-old tradition as a university town and even today is full of young students. In the 9th century it became an indipendent maritime republic and a rival of Genova and Venice. During the 13th century Pisa controlled Corsica, Sardinia and most of the Italian coast as far south as Civitavecchia. The majority of the city's finest buildings date from this period, as well as the distinctive Pisan-Romanesque architectural style. San Gimignano: The towers of San Gimignano dominate the Val d'Elsa, a lush landscape of wheat fields, olive groves and vineyards. The towers, symbols of the power and wealth of the city's medieval families, once numbered as many as 72. Today, only 13 remain, but the city still carries the name San Gimignano delle Belle Torri (of the Fine Towers). Originally it was an Etruscan village but the town takes its name from the Bishoop of Modena, St. Gimignano, who is said to have saved the city from the barbarians. Today San Gimignano is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities and has the feel of a museum. In summer and at weekends year-round it is crowded with tourists. Pienza: Pienza is a superb example of Renaissance architecture, built in the 15th century by the architect Bernardo Rossellino. The most important buildings are grouped around Piazza Pio II. The Duomo has a collection of five altarpieces painted by Sienese artists of the period, as well as a superb marble tabernacle by Rossellino. The Palazzo Piccolomini was the Pope's residence and is considered Rossellino's masterpiece. Val d'Orcia: There is an abundance of architectural and artistic treasures in the Val d'Orcia, which makes it a cultural site of universal value. All of the five municipalities of the valley (Castiglione d'Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani and San Quirico) stand out for their urban planning and architecture which dates back to the medieval period (XI-XIV century) and the Renaissance (XV-XVI century). The most important sites of architectural interest are: the Collegiata church, Palazzo Chigi Zondadari and the Horti Leonini gardens in San Quirico; the cathedral, the church of San Francesco, the “Pieve” or parish church of Corsignano, the Ammannati, Piccolomini and Vescovile palaces in Pienza; the fortress, the “Palazzo Comunale” or town hall, the church of San Agostino in Montalcino; the Aldobrandeschi fortress in Castiglione; the fortress with its walls built by the Medici, the villa Medici and the church of San Pietro in Radicofani. Besides these worthy towns of the Val d'Orcia, the territory offers many delightful hamlets, some of which are fortified, and solitary churches and settlements of historical, artistic, architectural and environmental interest which all contribute to a reference network of exceptional value.