Pisa
Pisa famous and ancient sea republic, is located a few kilometers from the Tyrrhenian coast and stretches on the banks of the River Arno.
Famous for the “Leaning Tower”, a monument discussed and known as one of the seven wonders of the world, and the prestigious “Cathedral” and located in the famous Duomo Square poetically known as “Square of Miracles”.
Pisa is among the main cultural city of Italy, has a rich artistic heritage and is an original Medieval reworking.
Provincial capital of Tuscany and an archbishop, is today primarily a university town and home to the National Research Council, form of economic life
Firenze
Florence stands in a pleasant valley surrounded by hills and crossed by the river Arno. This city is rich in monuments, historical buildings, galleries and museums, expressing all its magnificence of its ancient civilization.
Its world famous promenade along its monuments up to the wonderful Ponte Vecchio lined with shops of goldsmiths very characteristic.
Many are the monuments and works of art to visit, such as Giotto’s Tower begun by Giotto in 1334, the Pitti Palace begun design by Brunelleschi in the second half of 1400, the courtyard of Ammannati, Buonarroti house which has some paintings of Michelangelo , Fort Belvedere, which dates from the end of 1500. the Uffizi Palace begun by Vasari in 1560, Loggia della Signoria begun in1376 from an original drawing by Orcagna and Old Palace built between 1293 and 1314.
San Gimignano
Coming from anywhere, clearly visible are its numerous medieval towers, even today there are thirteen, it is said that in the fourteenth century there were 72 towers, at least one for every wealthy family that served to show their economic power by building a tower (many are still visible in the body of the buildings although “scamozzate”) and announce from far away the splendor of the town.
Just as impressive when entering one of the city gates and walking along the quiet streets lined with ancient buildings.
The streets unexpectedly lead into three squares on the city center, where you can admire the severe medieval buildings that surround them.
Siena
Siena always attracts many tourists for its wonderful monuments and its numerous masterpieces to visit museums.
Famous for the most anticipated event of the districts of Siena, the “Palio”, tradition begun in 1644 and never stopped, it takes place twice a year on July 2 and August 16 and it is a real challenge between horses and jockeys districts enemy.
In narrow and winding lanes, in museums and in the quarter oratorios you may hear Palio propitiatory chants that recall the ancient customs and modern allegories.
Some great artists were born in Siena and among them it is to remember Nicola Pisano, who worked on the greatest masterpiece in Siena, the Duomo.
In the town we may admire many works of art including Piazza del Campo, Siena’s main square, with its characteristic red brick and the beautiful landscape of Facciatone room, the Pilgrims of Santa Maria della Scala, the Piccolomini library, the prestigious Accademia Chigiana and large Medicean fortress, where they hide the most precious wines of Siena, in Tuscany and in the peninsula.
Volterra
Volterra is located in the province of Pisa, built on a ridge 545 meters. Surrounded by two defensive walls, one Etruscan and the other Medieval, it is one of the most important centers of Tuscany, for its monuments which testify 3,000 years of civilization and for its alabaster its products are leaders in Italy.
Volterra is not yet touched by the stress of contemporary life and visitors who come to visit have immediate impression of entering in the past, to be in a particular place with its narrow medieval enigma of its Etruscan origins. Prevalently medieval and yet cherishes abundant evidence of the Etruscan period: the Porta Arch dating from the fourth century BC , The Acropolis and the walls still present in some areas of the city.
The Roman period we have witnessed the important remains such as Roman theater with spas.
The Middle Ages are not only visible in its urban structure but also in its buildings, its tower-houses and churches: the Palazzo dei Priori building of the thirteenth century, the Praetorian Palace, with its crenellated Tower of the Pig, the pair of towers via Buonparenti, the tower houses the Toscano family, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the many churches.
Lucca
Lucca is enclosed in its large sixteenth-century walls, built in 1504, during the Republic of Lucca to defend the city, who feared the expansionist policy thrusts Medici.
The city wall is interrupted by 11 bastions, in the bastion of San Martino you can see the layout of the old gunner.
Three are the original doors of citttà Porta San Pietro, (1565-1566), Porta Santa Maria (1592-1594), based dell’Emeroteca City, New Port San Donato (1628-1639). To these are added, then, Old Port San Donato (1590) of the tourist office. Finally the walls were completed later with the doors and Elisa Vittorio Emanuele which have a more modern facility.
Today you can take long walks on the walls through the tree-lined; they offer interesting views of the city.
Mare
A few kilometers away in about 30 minutes away are beach resorts such as Cecina, Follonica Piombino, Baratti, Castiglioncello, etc ..
