All Places

The Monument to Ferdinando I de’ Medici is a sculpture in Arezzo, located in Piazza del Duomo, on the steps leading to the Cathedral of Saints Donatus and Peter.   SHORT HISTORY Ferdinando I de’ Medici was Grand Duke of Tuscany between 1587 and 1609, and during his lordship Arezzo had a quiet period, both from political and economic point of view. The Duke distinguished himself for important economic, fiscal and social reforms. He continued the noble tradition of the Medici family in terms of patronage of art and culture. The sculpture was designed by Giambologna, or Jean Boulogne, known also as Giovanni da Bologna, the last great sculptor of Renaissance, but it was executed by Pierre Francheville (Pietro Francavilla), a French-Italian sculptor, at the beginning of the 17th century. The statue was erected by the people of Arezzo as a sign of gratitude for the reclamation of the Chiana Valley (Valdichiana), which was an important addition to the municipal territory.   HOW TO GET THERE The Monument to Ferdinando I de’ Medici is located about 900 meters away from the Arezzo railway station. The closest bus stop is in Via Ricasoli, a few meters away, on the bus Line Read more [...]

Palazzo Vescovile (Bishop’s Palace) is a palace in Perugia, located in Piazza IV Novembre, near Palazzo dei Priori, in the historical center of the city.   SHORT HISTORY On this site, between 1283 and 1292, Palazzo del Podesta was built. After it was damaged by fire in 1329, it was rebuilt. In 1414, Braccio Fortebracci made the palace his residence, and lived there until 1424, as Lord of Perugia. Fortebracci built the loggia located on the northern side of Piazza IV Novembre, which is now part of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Palazzo Vescovile was later used by the papal governors of Perugia. In 1534, when Ridolfo Baglioni conquered Perugia, Palazzo del Podesta was again set on fire. In the 16th century, Pope Pius IV allowed Cardinal Fulvio della Corgna to build two buildings on the site of the former Palazzo del Podesta – the episcopal seminary and the Bishop’s Palace. Later, between 1586 and 1591, Cardinal Antonio Maria Gallo made improvements to the palace.   ARCHITECTURE The palace incorporates a part of the old Palazzo del Podesta (the three arched Gothic windows on the right), remains from the 16th century, before the palace was set on fire.   HOW Read more [...]

Palazzo Pretorio is a palace in Arezzo, located in Via dei Pileati, about 100 meters away from Piazza Grande. Since 1954, the palace houses the Municipal Library of Arezzo.   SHORT HISTORY The area on which the current palace stands was occupied since the 13th century by the houses of the Albergotti, Lodomeri and Sassoli families. Thus, the palace is the result of the unification of several buildings, built in different periods and styles. At first, Palazzo Pretorio was the seat of the Captain of Justice (Capitano di Giustizia). At the beginning of the 15th century, the palace was purchased by the Municipality, and transformed into a prison, which was closed only in 1926. In the 1920s, a long restoration began, completed in 1934 by the architect Giuseppe Castellucci, who returned the structure to its 16th century appearance. After the restoration, the Medieval Museum of Arezzo was transferred there.   ART AND ARCHITECTURE The beautiful facade of the palace is decorated with many coats of arms of podestà (chief magistrate) and captains, who used the palace as their seat since 1434. Inside the palace, on the ground floor, there is a private chapel, where you can admire the remains of Read more [...]

Via Maestà delle Volte is, probably, the most beautiful street in Perugia, although it does not have more than 100 meters. Its name comes from a fresco known as Maestà delle Volte, that most likely portrayed Madonna with the Child. The street starts from Piazza IV Novembre and ends in Piazza Cavallotti. At number 1, you can find the facade of the Church of the Maestà delle Volte, now a clothing store. Near the church, is a small arch from pink and white stone, belonging to the Oratory of the Maestà delle Volte, built in 1335 to protect the fresco mentioned above. To the right of the church, is a ceramic panel placed at the end of the Second World War, by G. Belleti, representing the Madonna with the Child and Saints Ercolano and Costanzo presenting the city to the Virgin. About 15 meters further, as you walk along the street, you will find the Fountain of Via Maestà delle Volte, built in 1928 by the architect Pietro Angelini, under an ancient arch of the 15th century.   HOW TO GET THERE Via Maestà delle Volte is near the Piazza IV Novembre, in the middle of historic city of Perugia. Read more [...]

The Monument to Francesco Petrarca is a sculpture in Arezzo, located in the beautiful park of the city, Prato, on top of the San Pietro Hill. Francesco Petrarca, anglicized as Petrarch, was an Italian poet of early Renaissance, born in Arezzo on July 20, 1304.   SHORT HISTORY In 1902, a group of people formed the Committee for Honors of Francesco Petrarca, and decided to build a monument dedicated to the poet of Arezzo, on the occasion of the sixth centenary of his birth. In 1904, a competition was launched, and a Royal Decree provided the funds for the construction of the monument. However, the result was not satisfactory, and a second competition was held two years later, and a third one in 1907, when the design of Alessandro Lazzerini was chosen as the winner. On July 31, 1909, the contract was signed, but due to a series of delays the first stone was laid only on December 12, 1914. Then, the works were stopped during the First World War. In 1924, Benito Mussolini, head of the government, allocated the necessary funds to start the work. Thus, began the extraction of the marble blocks and their processing in the artist’s Read more [...]

Piazza IV Novembre is a beautiful square in the historic center of Perugia, gathering the most important buildings and monuments of the city, from Palazzo dei Priori, to Fontana Maggiore and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Piazza IV Novembre is also the setting for summer concerts during the Umbria Jazz Festival. In autumn, it becomes the headquarters of the Fiera dei Morti, a traditional event that takes place every year since 1260, coinciding with the All Saints’ Day. In June, there is also Perugia 1416, a historical re-enactment of the conquest of the city by Braccio Fortebracci. Last but not least, in the square is held Eurochocolate, a chocolate fair founded in 1993.   SHORT HISTORY Piazza IV Novembre stands on the former site of the ancient Roman Forum. In the Middle Ages, it has become the starting point for five main streets, known as the Royal Streets. In the 9th century, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo was built, and the square has qualified as a representative space for political and religious power, a role confirmed later by the establishment of the municipal government buildings. The current structure is that defined by the restructuring of the Platea Magna Comunis (the Read more [...]

The Church of the Maestà delle Volte is a former church in Perugia, located in Via Maestà delle Volte, a few meters away from Piazza IV Novembre. Today, the structure houses a clothing store, but its facade – the only remnant of the old church, still retains its beautiful architecture and some of the original frescoes.   SHORT HISTORY In 1297, on the street which passes under Palazzo del Podesta, was placed a fresco known as Maestà delle Volte, which most likely portrayed a Madonna with Child. In 1335, an oratory was built to house the fresco. Later, the oratory was replaced by a larger church, erected between 1440 and 1470. Agostino di Duccio decorated the church in 1475. The church was damaged in 1534, when Ridolfo Baglioni conquered Perugia and set fire to the adjacent palace. Restorations took place in 1538, and again between 1557 and 1558. In 1566, when the church became part of the Episcopal Seminary, Bishop Fulvio della Corgna initiated further renovations. The church was a meeting place for the Company of Death (Compagnia della Morte) until the end of the 16th century. Then, the organization moved to its own church, Church of Compagnia della Buona Read more [...]

Palazzo della Provincia is a neo-Gothic palace in Arezzo, located in Piazza della Libertà, across the square from Palazzo del Comune, near the Cathedral of Saints Donatus and Peter. Together with Palazzo del Comune and the Cathedral, Palazzo della Provincia, seat of the Province of Arezzo, forms a complex very close to an ideal agora, where the main administrative centers of the city are concentrated, in a dominant position on the San Pietro Hill.   SHORT HISTORY On February 24, 1913, the administration of the Province of Arezzo decided to build its new headquarters, commissioning the engineer Giuseppe Paoli for this project. The project consisted in a new building to be used as offices and the restoration of two pre-existing buildings. The masonry work, carried out by the company Giuseppe Rossi, was started shortly after and was completed only on September 27, 1925, followed by the official inauguration of the palace. Concerning the decorative works, the realization of the frescoes was entrusted, at the suggestion of the designer, to the painter Adolfo De Carolis, in 1922. The sketch was immediately approved, and the works – started in the summer of 1922 and executed entirely by De Carolis, were concluded at Read more [...]

The Fraternita dei Laici Museum is a museum in Arezzo, housed by Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici, located in Piazza Grande. The museum was founded anew in 2010 to exhibit a series of works collected between the 14th and 19th centuries.   SHORT HISTORY The first collections of the institution were exhibited in the Fraternita dei Laici Museum starting with 1820, the year of its foundation, until 1935, when most of the art (archeology and science collections, and the library saved after the 1759 fire) was partly sent to the Civic Museums of Arezzo. Most of the works, about 6000 of them, including 100 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and ancient furnishings, are still in the palace and represent the core of today’s exhibition.   ART The Museum is composed of the Quadreria, the Council Room, and the Primo Rettore’s Room. Besides the ancient works, the collection was completed around 1780 with the magnificent Gallery of Portraits, a series of effigies of grand dukes and benefactors who made the institution rich since the Middle Ages. The Bartolini Collection, composed of drawings, prints, plaster casts and books, is named after its founder, the sculptor Ranieri Bartolini, who left it to the city Read more [...]

Basilica of San Domenico, one of the most important churches in Perugia, overlooks a small square, Piazza Giordano Bruno, and can be seen from all over the city, thanks to the 126 meters high tower.   SHORT HISTORY The Dominicans arrived in Perugia around 1230 and, between 1231 and 1260, they built a primitive church where the Basilica of San Domenico stands today. In the years to come, the Dominican order will become important and, in 1304, the construction of a new, larger church will begin. The church will be consecrated by Pope Pio II Piccolomini in 1459. At the start of the 17th century, the nave collapsed and the church was entirely rebuilt following Carlo Maderno’s design, between 1629 and 1632.   ARCHITECTURE The church has an impressive facade, which opens at the top to a stairway with a double ramp. Inside, it has the layout of a Latin cross and is characterised by simplicity. The austerity of the nave contrasts the Gothic style of the glass windows, dated from 1411 and signed by Bartolomeo di Pietro and by Mariotto di Nardo. The top window, 23 meters high, is the largest of the era after the Duomo of Milan. Read more [...]

The Cathedral of San Lorenzo is the Cathedral of Perugia, located in Piazza IV Novembre, in the historical center of the city. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Lawrence, deacon in the service of Pope Sixtus II, martyred in Rome in the year 258. The church is part of a larger architectural complex which, taken as a whole, is known as the Island of San Lorenzo or the Castle of San Lorenzo.   SHORT HISTORY A church was built on this area in the 9th century, on the remains of the ancient forum of the Etruscan city. The church was rebuilt later, between the 11th and the 12th centuries, to house the remains of the bishop Ercolano, martyred during the Ostrogoth invasion, in the 6th century. At the beginning of the 14th century, the church was expanded under the supervision of the Benedictine monk Bevignate of Cingoli. A considerable time passed between the planning and the completion of the works, two centuries later, in 1507. In the second half of the 19th century, by the will of Cardinal Gioacchino Pecci, then bishop of Perugia and future pontiff, the cathedral received a Neo-Gothic appearance, which was preserved to this day.   Read more [...]

Fontana di Via Maestà delle Volte is a beautiful fountain in Perugia, located in Via Maestà delle Volte, about 60 meters away from Piazza IV Novembre.   SHORT HISTORY Fontana di Via Maestà delle Volte was built in 1928 by the architect Pietro Angelini, under an ancient arch from the 15th century. The fountain, realized in medieval style, fits harmoniously in the context of Via Maestà delle Volte, seemingly from the same time period. However, the inscription in Roman characters refers to the 20th century. The griffin, symbol of the Municipality of Perugia, is carved in the central tile of the pool, as on other public buildings in the city. The fountain was restored in 2016, thanks to the Art Bonus 2015 donations.   HOW TO GET THERE Fontana di Via Maestà delle Volte is located about 1.8 kilometers away from the Perugia railway station. The closest bus stop is located about 50 meters away, in Piazza Felice Cavallotti, on the bus Lines C, F, Z2, Z3, Z20 and Z21.

Palazzo dei Priori is a Gothic palace in Perugia, located in Piazza IV Novembre, in the historical center of the city. Palazzo dei Priori houses today the Municipal Offices of Perugia and, on the top floors, the National Gallery of Umbria (Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria).   SHORT HISTORY Palazzo dei Priori was built in Gothic style between 1293 and 1443, a period divided into several construction phases. The irregularity of its facades is explained by the long course of construction, in which continuous additions and renovations were made. First, between 1293 and 1297, the palace for the Captain of the People (Capitano del Popolo) was built by Giacomo di Servadio and Giovanello di Benevento. Each of the two main floors of the palace comprised of a single large hall. The hall on the lower floor was originally known as the Council Hall (Sala del Consiglio), a hall used for meetings of the council which advised the Captain of the People. Later, the hall became known as the Hall of Notaries (Sala dei Notari). The hall on the second floor, known as Sala Podiani, belongs today to the National Gallery of Umbria. Between 1333 and 1337, there was the first enlargement of Read more [...]

Fontana Maggiore is considered the most beautiful and famous fountain of the Middle Ages in Italy, the emblem of the medieval Perugia and the simbol of the city for almost 800 years. The fountain is located in Piazza IV Novembre, in the historical center of the city.   SHORT HISTORY Fontana Maggiore was built between 1275 and 1278 by the sculptors Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, father and son, after a design by frà Bevignate of Cingoli. The fountain was damaged by the earthquake of 1348, and its panels were restored in an arbitrary order. In 1948, it was restored with inappropriate materials (cement), and it was necessary a further restoration. In March 2017, Fontana Maggiore returned to its splendor after a long restoration.   ART AND ARCHITECTURE The fountain consists of two polygonal pools in white and pink stone, topped by a bronze cup with a bronze group of three nymphs supporting an amphora, from which the water flows. Originally, on their heads, there were four bronze griffins, for each cardinal point, that are now exposed in the National Gallery of Umbria. The tiles of the lower basin reproduce emblematic scenes of the Old Testament (Seduction of Adam by Eva, Read more [...]

The Church of San Pietro is a church in Assisi, located in Piazza San Pietro, on the edge of the historical center of the town. The adjacent abbey houses a community of monks from the Benedictine Cassinese Congregation.   SHORT HISTORY The Church of Saint Peter was built at the end of the 10th century, outside the city walls of Assisi, near an ancient Roman necropolis. The presence of the monastery was documented since 1029, through a manuscript preserved in the archives of the Cathedral of San Rufino. In the first half of the 13th century, the history of the community of Saint Peter was intertwined with that of Saint Francis. The blessed Peter, abbot of Assisi, whose name is mentioned in a document of 1209, gave to Saint Francis the silver chalice which is still preserved in the Chapel of the Relics of the Sacred Convent. Around 1252, after they lived in the monastery for over two centuries, the Benedictines abandoned the place, and were replaced by the Cistercians, who completed the construction of the abbey and the church, which was consecrated in 1254 by Pope Innocent IV. On the same occasion, the pontiff consecrated the Cathedral of San Read more [...]

Teatro Caio Melisso is an old opera house in Spoleto, and one of the most elegant theatres in Italy, being known as one of the main venues of the Festival dei Due Mondi.   SHORT HISTORY The oldest theatre in Spoleto, Teatro Caio Melisso was built in the second half of the 17th century, using part of the structures of the unfinished Palazzo della Signoria. The first mention of the theatre was made in 1664, as the „room for comedies”, which led to changing its name in Noble Theatre in 1668. The original wooden structure was enriched in 1751 with decorations, curtains and scenes, which gave it a very precious appearance. After 1819, due to the theft of the 18th century decorations, the theatre was looking bad and the Spoletans showed the desire to have a larger one, so, in 1853, some of them tried to set it on fire. Teatro Nuovo was built in 1864, surpassing the decadent Noble Theatre, which however, after only ten years, was renewed by the will of the Municipality. The project was entrusted to the Spoleto architect Giovanni Montiroli and, in 1880, the theatre was reopened under the name Caio Melisso. Caio Melisso was Read more [...]

Near the Spoleto train station, there is a monument that you can easily overlook. Its name is Teodelapio, which comes from one of the first Lombard dukes of Spoleto, who reigned in the 7th century, Theudelapius.   SHORT HISTORY The story began in 1962, at the fifth edition of the Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds), curated by Giovanni Carandente. In March 1962, Giovanni Carandente invited Alexander Calder to participate in the event. He asked him to create a piece of art that could serve as a triumphal arch at the entrance to the city and become its symbol. Alexander Calder was an American sculptor known for his Mobile sculptures, which are moving due to air currents, but also for the monumental stationary sculptures that are called Stabiles. The American sculptor designed a metal monument, kept today in the Carandente Museum, inside Palazzo Collicola. The sculpture was enlarged 27 times, being the first of many Stabiles of Calder and the only one on the Italian soil. 18 meters in height, the work is considered the first stationary monumental sculpture in the world.   HOW TO GET THERE It’s simple! The Teodelapio is right in front of the Read more [...]

In the historical center of Spoleto, in Piazza del Mercato (Market Square), there is a fantastic fountain, whose water has been running for over 700 years. With a clock above and a monument dedicated to the Barberini family on top, this fountain is known as Fontana di Piazza del Mercato or, simpler, Fonte di Piazza, and is one of the main tourist attractions in Spoleto, and should not be missed.   SHORT HISTORY There has been a fountain in Piazza del Mercato since the 13th century or even earlier. In 1433, another one was built in front of the old fountain by the local architect Giovanni Buono and it was inaugurated on the occasion of the visit of Roman Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg. Achille Sansi, a historian from the 19th century, tells us that the water flow of the fountain had been increased in 1512, thanks to the improvements made to the pipelines. In the 16th century, the place where today’s fountain stands was occupied by the church of San Donato. In the second half of the 16th century, the church was abandoned and its façade facing the square was used first for a clock, and then for a monument Read more [...]

Fontana di Mascherone is an interesting fountain in Spoleto, simply known by the locals as Il Mascherone, due to the mask from whose mouth the water flows. The fountain was probably built in the 17th century, and according to a nearby inscription, a restoration was comissioned in the year 1736 by the Pope Clement VII.   HOW TO GET THERE The fountain is located in Piazza Campello, only 230 meters from the Spoleto Cathedral and about 1.9 kilometers from the Spoleto train station. If you want to find the fountain easily, use the map below.

The Basilica of Sant’Eufemia rises inside the Archbishop’s Palace, near the Piazza del Duomo, on a place that was once occupied by the palace of the Lombard Dukes of Spoleto.   SHORT HISTORY The first information about the monastery and the church of S. Eufemia dates back to the 10th century, when the Benedictine monk Giovanni Cassinese wrote about the life of S. Giovanni, Archbishop of Spoleto. In the 12th century, the church was encompassed by the Palazzo Vescovile (the Archbishop’s Palace). At the end of the 14th century, a painter was commissioned to paint the complex of the palace. At the middle of the 15th century, the Spoleto diocese was run by the Patriarch of Alexandria, the venetian Marco Condulmer, and the church seems to have changed its title from S. Eufemia to S. Lucia.   HOW TO GET THERE After you visit the Cathedral of the Assumption of Saint Mary, in Piazza del Duomo, you can easily get to the Church of Sant’Eufemia, only 100 meters away. If you need precise directions from anywhere in the city, use the map below.

Spoleto Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta or the Duomo di Spoleto) is a beautiful church in Spoleto dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.   SHORT HISTORY The Spoleto Cathedral was built at the end of the 12th century, replacing the building of Santa Maria del Vescovato, which was dating back to the 8th or 9th century. Earlier, on this place, was an ancient christian temple dedicated to the martyr Primiano di Larino. The crypt of San Primiano, from the 9th century, represents the only remaining element of the building that stood on this place.   ART AND ARCHITECTURE On the façade of the church, embellished by the mosaic of Solsterno, are the arcades of the portico built in 1491 by Ambrogio Barocci. Inside the Cathedral, you can find numerous works of art. At the beginning of the left aisle, you can admire the painting by Alberto Sotio (around 1187). The apse has a remarkable painting with Stories of the Virgin by Filippo Lippi, made between 1467 and 1469. You can also find here a bronze sculpture of Urbano VIII by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and a painting by Annibale Carracci. Interesting is the chapel of Sant’Anna, built Read more [...]

The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli is a papal basilica in Assisi, located outside the city walls, about 3 kilometers away from the historical center. The basilica shelters the Porziuncola, a small chapel where the Franciscan movement started, the most sacred place for the Franciscan order.   SHORT HISTORY Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels was built between 1565 and 1685 on a project by Galeazzo Alessi, an italian architect from Perugia. The construction took a long time due to the constant lack of money, because the church was financed only from donations. The earthquake of March 15, 1832, damaged the church beyond repair. The reconstruction of the basilica started in 1836 and was completed 4 years later, in 1840. The architect in charge for the reconstruction was Luigi Poletti. During the reconstruction, the facade of the church was remodeled in a Neoclassical style. Between 1924 and 1930, the architect Cesare Bazzani returned the facade to its original appearance.   ART AND ARCHITECTURE The basilica is built in a Mannerist style and has a Latin cross plan, 126 meters long and 65 meters wide. The interior has three naves and a large dome, 79 meters high, and is Read more [...]

Rocca Maggiore is a majestic, imposing fortress dating back to the 14th century, which dominates the town of Assisi from above, offering magnificent views and charming panoramas of the surrounding valley below, from Perugia, in the north, to Spoleto, in the south.   SHORT HISTORY The original fortress was built, perhaps, before the year 1000, during the time of the barbaric invasions, but the first documented information about Rocca Maggiore dates back to 1174, when Assisi was conquered by the imperial troops led by Christian of Mainz, chancellor of Germany during the reign of emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. In 1198, Rocca Maggiore was destroyed by a riot, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the papal governor of Pope Innocent III. The fortress was rebuilt in 1356 at the behest of Cardinal Egidio Albornoz, as a lookout, to consolidate the fortifications of the Papal State. In 1360, the same Cardinal Albornoz commissioned the construction of Rocca Minore, in order to consolidate the part of the fortification towards the mountain, and connected the two fortresses through a massive wall structure. In the next centuries, the fortress was enlarged and modified by various occupants – by Biordo Michelotti, lord of Read more [...]

In the central square of Assisi, there is an ancient Roman temple from the first century of our era, the Temple of Minerva, which was dedicated to the goddess of wisdom and peace from the pagan age. Today, the temple houses the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva.   SHORT HISTORY Around the years 28-25 BC, during the time of emperor Augustus, the Roman Forum of Assisi was structured, various temples were built and the city wall was completed. About the same time, the Temple of Minerva was erected. When the pagan cult ceased, the Temple of Minerva remained abandoned and silent for over a century, until the second half of the 5th century, when the Benedictine monks restored the building and began to use it as a church. With the document of May 24, 1212, the Benedictines granted for rent, for a hundred years, all the rooms of the temple to the city of Assisi. In 1539, Pope Paul III, visiting Assisi, ordered that the Temple of Minerva to be restored and dedicated to Saint Mary. The structure was named Santa Maria sopra Minerva. In 1613, the Bishop of Assisi, Marcello Crescenzi, with the consent of the city council, Read more [...]

La Bottega del Buon Caffè is one of the top restaurants in Florence, recently rewarded with a Michelin star. Respecting their Florentine location, the seasonal menus are designed to reflect the region’s unique gastronomic heritage and vibrant culinary culture. To reflect the philosophy of five star dining at its best, La Bottega del Buon Caffè produces a large percentage of its fresh ingredients at its farm in the country, at Borgo Santo Pietro. Creative Head Chef, Antonello Sardi, uses the freshest local ingredients with care and imagination. His innovative approach to Tuscan cuisine has earned him a reputation as one of Tuscany’s most talented young chefs. La Bottega del Buon Caffè combines classic Florentine style with a sense of elegance and glamour. Designed by the renowned international designer, Jeanette Thottrup, the restaurant interior seamlessly combines the very finest elements of both classic and contemporary design. With a vibrant atmosphere and stylish décor, La Bottega del Buon Caffè is the perfect venue in which to enjoy exceptional food and the very finest Tuscan wines.   HOW TO GET THERE La Bottega del Buon Caffè is located on the southern bank of river Arno, 300 meters away from Ponte San Niccolo. The Read more [...]

The Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) is the most visited Italian museum and the 11th art museum in the world, by the number of visits, with over 3 million visitors in 2016. Situated near Piazza della Signoria, in the historical center of Florence, the museum houses a collection of priceless works of art, most of them from the period of the Italian Renaissance.   SHORT HISTORY The building of the Uffizi Gallery was erected starting with 1560, at the request of Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo I de’ Medici. The original architect was Giorgio Vasari, one of the leading architects of the 15th century. The initial role of the building was to shelter the municipal offices (uffizi), hence the name, but for the next two hundred years the space brought together under one roof the art collections of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. In 1737, the last member of the Medici family, Anna Maria Luisa, decided to leave the art collections to the city of Florence. In 1769, the place was opened to the public, the first in Europe to be called a “museum”.   ART The art inside the Uffizi includes ancient and modern paintings and sculptures, precious furnishings, Read more [...]

Nadia Mari is a Roman designer who puts research in the center of her production. After graduation, she worked for the biggest italian brands, designing collections of accessories. Now, she has her own brand, Nadiamari, under which you can find women clothes and accessories. The garments are designed to enhance the natural sensuality of every woman, freeing everyone from a preconceived idea of ​​elegance. Nadia realizes original prints on italian materials, among which silk reigns supreme. Nadiamari boutique shop is located in the heart of Rome, a short walk from Campo de’ Fiori, on Via Monserrato. Here, is in fact possible to take a closed-door appointment with the designer for purchase advice, but also for an afternoon of 360° image consulting. If you wish, you can enjoy special openings, book an exclusive fashion show and, for customers visiting the Eternal City, hotel pick-up services are available. Over the years, this retail concept has gone beyond on-demand. In fact, to date, the atelier is the venue for literary and musical meetings, food and wine tastings, personal and collective exhibitions, in a constant search for talents to be valued and shared.   HOW TO GET THERE The nearest Metro station is Colosseo, on Line B, 2.2 kilometers Read more [...]

SBU, Strategic Business Unit, is a fashion brand founded by the brothers Cristiano and Patrizio Perfetti, in 1993, in Rome, which produces sportswear, jeans, chinos, shirts, knitwear, jackets, footwear and casual wear. Each section of garments produced by SBU aims to create the perfect wardrobe, classic but modern, obtained with the progressive incorporation of garments having different origins and functions. The aim is not to create a seasonal look: the SBU collections must be seen as a unique fashion creation, modular and permanent. The SBU headquarters is located in Rome and houses the full range of productions of the brand. The Strategic Business Unit shop is installed in an architectural context dating back to the sixteenth century, giving shape to a unique and timeless space. Each fashion collection produced under the name SBU stands out for quality and originality.   HOW TO GET THERE The SBU store is located 20 meters from Piazza Navona, in the center of Rome, surrounded by the most important monuments and architecture of the city. The nearest Metro station is Colosseo, on Line B, 1.9 kilometers away.

Lelli is a textile, carpeting and wallpaper shop located in the historic center of Rome, since 1924. Lelli is selecting with passion and experience the most beautiful fabrics in the world, and also deals with upholstery on old and new furniture pieces and with the packaging and installation of curtains, cushions, bedspreads and carpets. Lelli provides a serious assistance service to architects, ranging from the simple selection of materials to the complete realization of interior and exterior projects. Transporting the Lelli’s world to a website is impossible, but for those who can’t visit the store and want to buy one of their creations, they have made one…   HOW TO GET THERE The nearest Metro station is Spagna, only 700 meters away from the shop, or 10 minutes on foot. For the exact direction, use the map below.

Dream Station is an interesting Bed and Breakfast strategically located in the Rome city centre, in close proximity to the central train station Termini, which is a transport hub for the city, including metro lines, a bus terminal and the airport shuttle terminal. Dream Station B&B has seven cozy rooms all tastefully and uniquely decorated in a colorful and young fashion, all equipped with an en-suite bathroom. The B&B is at walking distance from the most important city monuments and historic sights: the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon and all major Basilicas in Rome.   HOW TO GET THERE The Dream Station is basically glued to the Roma Termini train station, and is just 250 meters away from the nearest Metro station, Termini, which is both on Line A and B. For an overview of the area or directions, use the map below.

Blue Hostel offers great, intimate accommodation in the centre of Rome, in a former convent dating back to 17th century. Just like a boutique hotel, each hostel room is daily-cleaned and features en-suite bathroom, LCD TV, air-conditioning, minibar, coffee machine, XVIII century wooden ceilings, parquet floors and free wifi. All the rooms overlook onto a private courtyard, and the total absence of street noise makes from Blue Hostel a peaceful place. And you can wake up to the sound of Santa Maria Maggiore bells…   HOW TO GET THERE Only 230 meters away from the Vittorio Emanuele Metro station, on Line A, the hostel can be reached on foot in 3-4 minutes. If you want to find it easier, use the map below.

Hotel Condotti is a small and cosy three stars boutique hotel, located on a peaceful street of Rome’s historic centre, just around the corner from the famous Spanish Steps. Hotel Condotti offers a classic and elegant environment, with rooms furnished with extreme care, a cosy lobby adorned with marble floors, antiques, tapestries and a Venetian-glass chandelier. The hotel offers the possibility of renting a car, hiring a private limousine service, scooter or moto rentals, theatre tickets, train schedules, and the hotel can arrange a pick-up service from the airport. Also, they can arrange private tours in various languages with licensed guides and day excursions outside the city centre. Steps away from the hotel you can find Via Condotti, one of the most elegant streets in the world and home to fashionable boutiques, like Rolex, H&M, Zara, Nike, Cartier.   HOW TO GET THERE Spagna Metro station, on line A, is only 20 meters away and offers quick connection to the rest of the city. For reaching the hotel on foot, use the map below.

Da Enzo Al 29 is one of the finest trattorias in Rome, located in Trastevere, on Via dei Vascellari, at number… 29. When you will ask who is Enzo, you will be shown his picture hanging on a wall. He was the previous owner, who is no longer physically present because he died in the late eighties, but his memory is still alive in this trattoria, which has remained substantially the same, and above all, still bears his name. The ingredients used in the trattoria are of the highest quality, natural, healthy, from local suppliers. Furthermore, under this brand, you can find products such as extravirgin olive oil produced in Viterbo, pasta produced in Abruzzo and peeled San Marzano tomatoes from Livorno.   HOW TO GET THERE Da Enzo is 1.2 kilometers away from the nearest Metro station, Circo Massimo, on Line B. The trattoria is vis-a-vis, over the river Tiber, from the famous tourist attraction Bocca della Verita (The Mouth of Truth). So, if you get into the area, you can kill two birds with one stone.

If you love pizza and you are in Rome, one of the best places to go to is Sforno. Born from Antonio’s passion for beers and wines and that of Stefano for good food, this restaurant wants to be a meeting place for all, where they offer rare beer and wines and an exceptional pizza. Taste one of their special pizza, Pizza Cacio e Pepe, Pizza “Greenwich” with Stilton cheese, Pizza “Testarossa”or Pizza “Iblea”, and you will come back for sure. Complete the menu with homemade desserts and beverages to match, and you will never leave again.   HOW TO GET THERE Sforno is only 450 meters from the nearest Metro station, Subaugusta, on Line A. On foot, it shoud be a 5 minute walk, and if you do not know where to go, use the map below.

La Pergola is the only three-star Michelin restaurant in Rome, offering a breathtaking view of the Eternal City, from the top of the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Under the direction of the celebrated Chef Heinz Beck, the menu is accentuated with every recipe, wich is the result of a meticulous analysis of every detail, and a wine list that comes from a cellar with over 60,000 bottles, authentic Italian oil and balsamic vinegar from the best local producers and the finest Mediterranean products. Wine lovers happily relinquish themselves to the knowledgeable Marco Reitano. He tastes a vast selection of wines every year, exploring the world’s finest vintages, to create this impeccable list. An enviable selection is defined by such rarities as 1922 Chateau Lafite Rothschild and 1945 Pétrus. La Pergola means elegance, from the vermeil plates and cutlery lining your table, to the charming art masterpieces that adorn the walls. Dine on innovative and exciting cuisine, surrounded by classic pieces such as a rare Aubusson tapestry, 18th century bronze candelabra, Sèvres porcelain and a stunning set of hand-blown glass by Emile Gallé.   HOW TO GET THERE The closest Metro station is Cipro, on Line A, but at this Read more [...]

VizioVirtù started its adventure in 2005, when they opened their first chocolate factory, a chocolate shop able to cater for even the most demanding palates and to make Venice an even sweeter town. VizioVirtù is right in the heart of the Laguna, between Rialto and San Marco square. Why they have chosen this corner in Venice is soon explained. Right where Marco Polo lived, spices, coffee and cocoa powder were traded. Yes, cocoa powder, their preferred ingredient, the one which is never missing from their chocolate shop. VizioVirtù offers chocolate workshops and guide tastings. You can take part in their workshop to cook truffles and mousses with them. They will show you how to temper chocolate and, of course, how to make the most loved drink in the winter: drinking chocolate. Has your mouth started watering? To book your lesson, and ask for information, write on e-mail . The courses, by reservation, are held every day from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Every day, from 10 am to 7.30 pm, you can taste delicacies made in their store and travel through the history of chocolate. Would you like another good reason for dropping by? You must know that you can Read more [...]

Ca’ Macana is one of the oldest and finest mask making workshops in Venice. They are known for one main reason: respect for tradition. However, they have been able to interpret tradition in innovative ways, creating new and unique decorative styles and shapes. They craft authentic handmade masks in the same way Venetian artisans would do 800 years ago. On the other hand, they never repeat a decoration, so each mask is unique. Their masks were featured in important film productions like Eyes Wide Shut by Stanley Kubrick and theatres like the Vienna Opera Haus. Thanks to the experience gained, today they also held conferences and courses on the history of Venetian masks and traditional mask-­making techniques.   SHORT HISTORY Ca’ Macana began making masks in 1984, when the Venice Carnival was making a comeback after two centuries of decline. They created their first models for fun, but also as a way to make some money, selling their models on the streets of Venice in the evening, when there were fewer policemen around. Bringing an ancient craft back to life and turning a game into a real work was, and still is today, the most wonderful job in the world! Read more [...]

Set on Fondamenta delle Zattere, Silk Road Hostel sits on a long and wide promenade, popular for evening walks, dinning, or grabbing a gelato and watching the sunset. With the congestion a tourist can experience in a city with small winding streets like Venice, Silk Road Hostel is a welcome escape. At Silk Road Hostel, you can find spacious dorm rooms with just four beds per room. Each dorm has beautiful views across the Giudecca Canal. All rooms are well lit and ventilated and guests can enjoy a comfortable dining room with free breakfast. The bathrooms are modern, and all guests can enjoy the use of the kitchen.   HOW TO GET THERE The hostel is located on one of the most beautiful walkways in Venice, and just a five minutes walk to the most popular campo in Venice, Campo Santa Margherita, the meeting point for all students in Venice. The nearest waterbus station (only 130 meters), is S. Basilio, that can be reached with the vaporetto ACTV Line 2, 6 or 8.

Residenza de l’Osmarin is situated in the very centre of Venice, just a few minutes’ walk from the stunning Piazza San Marco and a stone’s throw from the Rialto Bridge and all the main tourist attractions in the city. This comfortable B&B, which was renovated very recently, stands in one of the most beautiful and characteristic quarters, at the heart of the real, more genuine Venice. Residenza de l’Osmarin is in an elegant period Venetian building where peace and tranquility reigns. There is nothing better than to return to a lovely warm and welcoming environment after a long day’s walking. The rooms are all large and equipped with all amenities. Each room affords a breathtaking view of the enchanting city on the water with its canals, roofs and a thousand and one belltowers. During your stay, you will receive full and complete attention: the hosts are happy to offer valuable tips and information on the city, its life and the many cultural, artistic, musical and folk events that take place in Venice all year round. In this way, you are sure to enjoy a special holiday you are not likely to forget.   HOW TO GET THERE The San Zaccaria Read more [...]

Il Mercante was created to propose a sensorial journey in the bartending panorama of Venice. The bar is inspired by the life of adventurers and explorers who have marked new routes and brought new experiences to the West. The bar occupies the premises of the historic Caffé dei Frari, known and frequented by many Venetians. The restoration has emphasized the original architecture and the character of the location that has already inherent in its nature the philosophy of Il Mercante. The upper floor of Il Mercante is dedicated to guests who want to experience the sensory experience of the special cocktails dedicated to the adventures of Marco Polo and to the spices that he brought from the East. In a nice and quiet environment, it will be possible to rely on Il Mercante mixologist’s guide. Il Mercante cocktails are the result of a continuous research in preparations and blends. The bar presents a main list of cocktails always available and a list inspired by the theme of great adventurous trips.   HOW TO GET THERE Il Mercante is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Venice, in Campo dei Frari, in front of the Chiesa dei Frari. From Read more [...]

Facing Caffè Florian, we can find another old coffee house, Grancaffè Quadri. Located under the Procuratie Vecchie arcades, in the St. Mark’s Square, the second is with nothing inferior to the first. From Stendhal to Wagner, Proust and Woody Allen, Grancaffè Quadri has always been a lively place to stop for a coffee. Guests who enjoy the outdoor seating in St. Mark’s Square can select from a large illustrated menu featuring everything from Italian coffee drinks to cocktails made by resident barman Leonardo Cisotto, or breakfast pastries to Venetian bar snacks called cicchetti and gelato. A team of well-trained baristas tends to the coffee, while Leonardo Cisotto is in charge of the cocktails and wine service.   SHORT HISTORY Before Grancaffè Quadri, it was Il Rimedio (The Remedy), opened in 1638, named so due to the fact that it served Malvasia wine, commonly believed to enliven both the body and spirit. On May 28, 1775, Giorgio Quadri, arrived in Venice from Corfu together with his wife Naxina in search of fortune. It was Naxina to suggest that they invest in a place that served “hot black water.” The couple purchased Il Rimedio and began serving Turkish coffee. In 1830, Caffè Read more [...]

At Alle Corone Restaurant, you will discover the real authentic flavors of their genuine products, prepared in accordance with their precious recipes. You will also discover the pleasure of savoring the best ingredients that this land can offer, following an itinerary of gastronomic excellence that, depending on the season, will take you from the starters to dessert. The bread, the homemade pasta and the desserts they serve all come straight out of their kitchen.   HOW TO GET THERE Whether you come with the water bus ACTV Line 1 or 2, getting off at the Rialto station, or you are near the Rialto Bridge already, you have only about 150 meters to Alle Corone Restaurant. The place can be reached on foot through Salizada Pio X, making right on Merceria II Aprile and left on Calle dei Stagneri O de la Fava.

The Church of Saint Susanna at the Baths of Diocletian (Chiesa di Santa Susanna alle Terme di Diocleziano) is a beautiful church in Rome, located about 250 meters from Piazza della Repubblica.   SHORT HISTORY The Church of Santa Susanna is one of the oldest churches in Rome. The original place of worship was built around the year 280 AD on the remains of three Roman villas, outside the wall of the Baths of Diocletian and the Servian Wall, the first wall built to defend the city. According to tradition, the church was built on the site of the House of Susanna, where the Saint was martyred in 294 AD. Excavations made in the 19th century, actually brought to light the remains of a Roman house from the 3rd century, now visible through the glass paving of the sacristy. Other excavations from 1990 brought to light a Roman sarcophagus with fragments of painted plaster inside. Pope Sergius I restored the church at the end of the 7th century, Pope Leo III rebuilt it from the ground in 796. In 1475, the church was rebuilt again by Pope Sixtus IV. The facade of the church was completed in Baroque style in Read more [...]

Caffè Florian is more than just a café, and can rightfully be considered a tourist attraction in itself. Located under the Procuratie Nuove arcades, in the St. Mark’s Square, the world’s oldest café still in operation has been a silent witness, for almost three centuries, of the joys and excitement of Venice. Famous names have passed the threshold of this café over time, and if we were to mention just a few, we could start very well with Casanova, the famous conqueror of hearts, continuing with the playwrighter Carlo Goldoni, Lord Byron or the poet Goethe, with the writer and politician Chateaubriand, Charles Dickens, or Marcel Proust, to end triumphantly with Modigliani.   SHORT HISTORY The café opened its doors for the first time on December 29, 1720, under the name of Alla Venezia Trionfante, and soon after that received the name of its first owner, Floriano Francesconi. By the middle of the 19th century, Caffè Florian remained in the possession of the Francesconi family, and then changed its owners several times. In 1858, the café was completely restored by Lodovico Cadorin, with the help of the best Venetian artists and artisans. Since 1985, the cafe hosts the Venice Biennale, Read more [...]

On the southern bank of the Grand Canal, near to its end leading to St. Mark’s Basin, one of the most beautiful churches of Venice, Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, was built in the 17th century. A symbolic picture of the floating city, that appears in many of the documentaries about Venetian architecture, but also in many paintings left by famous artists such as Michele Marieschi, Francesco Guardi, John Singer Sargent, Walter Sickert and, of course, Canaletto.   SHORT HISTORY After the plague of 1630, which is said to have killed nearly a third of the population of Venice, the Venetian senate decided to build a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. After a competition between several architects of that time, the project was entrusted to the young Baldassare Longhena. The construction began in 1631, but the soil was not solid enough to support this massive structure, and the church was to be completed very late, not until 1687, five years after Longhena’s death. Every year, on November 21, Festa della Madonna della Salute is celebrated. The Venetians build a bridge over the Grand Canal, from San Marco to Dorsoduro, where locals go to worship the Virgin Mary, and Read more [...]

The Flaminio Obelisk is one of the thirteen ancient obelisks of Rome, located in the center of Piazza del Popolo.   SHORT HISTORY The obelisk was partially built in 1300 BC, at the time of Pharaoh Seti I, and completed by his son, Ramses II, in the 13th century BC. Then, the obelisk was placed in the Temple of the Sun from Heliopolis, in Egypt. In the year 10 BC, the obelisk was brought by ship to Rome, at the behest of Octavian Augustus, together with the Montecitorio Obelisk, and placed in the Circus Maximus. Augustus decided to keep the original dedication of the monument to the Sun, which for the Romans corresponded to Apollo, the tutelary deity of the emperor. He also added two identical dedications on the north and south sides of the base. Probably demolished during the barbarian invasions, it was found in 1587 together with the Lateran Obelisk, and erected again in 1589, by the will of Pope Sixtus V, in Piazza del Popolo. The works were supervised by Domenico Fontana. In 1823, at the behest of Pope Leo XII, the architect Giuseppe Valadier decorated it with a base with four circular basins and as many Read more [...]

The Basilica of Santa Maria in Montesanto is a church in Rome, located in Piazza del Popolo, between Via del Corso and Via del Babuino. Although there are some differences, the edifice is popularly known as the twin church of the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli, located nearby. The Basilica of Santa Maria in Montesanto has an elliptical plan and a dodecagonal dome, while its twin has a circular plan and an octagonal dome.   SHORT HISTORY In the 17th century, the Basilica of Santa Maria in Montesanto replaced a small church which belonged to the Carmelite friars of the province of Monte Santo, in Sicily, hence the name. The construction began in 1662 on the initiative of Pope Alexander VII after a design by Carlo Rainaldi. Following the death of the pope in 1667, the construction works were interrupted. The works were resumed in 1673, under the direction of Carlo Fontana and the supervision of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and the structure was completed in 1679. The bell-tower of the church, built on a design by Francesco Navone, was finished in 1761. In 1953, the church became the seat of the Mass of the artists, an initiative conceived by Read more [...]

The Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (Chiesa di Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore), also known as the Church of San Giacomo degli Spagnoli, is a church in Rome, located between Corso del Rinascimento and Piazza Navona.   SHORT HISTORY A first church was erected on this site in the 13th century, and dedicated to Saint James the Great, the patron saint of Spain. In 1440, the church was completely rebuilt at the expense of Alfonso de Paradinas. The facade was the work of the architect Bernardo Rossellino. Pope Alexander VI Borgia ordered new expansion works on the church, widened the square in front of the entrance on Via della Sapienza, and moved to the annexed buildings the hospices for Spanish pilgrims. In 1506, the Church of San Giacomo became the national church of the Spanish community in Rome. In 1518, the church was again remodeled by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, who would later become the architect of all the papal buildings. In 1818, after a period of neglect, the church was abandoned by the Spanish community in favor of the Church of Santa Maria di Monserrato, where the furnishings and tombs were also transferred. In 1878, Read more [...]

The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch with three archways, located in Rome, near the Colosseum. The arch was commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate the victory of Constantine the Great against Maxentius in the Battle of Ponte Milvo in 312.   SHORT HISTORY It seems that the monument was originally built during the time of Hadrian, Roman emperor between 117 and 138, and subsequently remodeled in the Constantinian era, with the displacement of the columns, the remaking of the attic, the insertion of the Trajan frieze on the inner walls of the central archway, and the execution of the reliefs and decorations specific to the time of Constantine. The arch was inaugurated in 315, on the occasion of the decennial of Constantine’s reign. In 1530, Lorenzino de’ Medici was expelled from Rome for cutting the heads of the sculptures on the arch, which were partially restored in the 18th century. In 1960, during the Games of the XVII Olympiad, the Arch of Constantine was the spectacular finish line for the marathon event won barefoot by the Ethiopian Abebe Bikila.   ARCHITECTURE The Arch of Constantine is 21 meters high, 25.9 meters wide and 7.4 meters deep. The Read more [...]

The National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II (Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II), commonly known as Vittoriano or Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland), is a large monument located in Piazza Venezia, in Rome. The monument, which can be seen from almost every point in the city, is dedicated to Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy, the first king of the unified Kingdom of Italy, and to the idea of Risorgimento, the process of national unity and liberation from foreign domination.   SHORT HISTORY After the death of Victor Emmanuel II on January 9, 1878, there were several initiatives to build a permanent monument to celebrate the king. On September 23, 1880, it was launched an international competition for the project of the monument, in which 311 competitors took part. The competition was won by the French architect Henri-Paul Nénot, but his project was later abandoned. After a second and a third competition, it was chosen in 1884 the project of the young architect Giuseppe Sacconi. After the death of Giuseppe Sacconi, which took place in 1905, the works continued under the direction of Gaetano Koch, Manfredo Manfredi and Pio Piacentini. The construction of the equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel Read more [...]