There is no shortage of things to see and do and incredible attractions in Tuscany but there are seven designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region: the historic centre of Florence (initiated in 1982); the Cathedral square of Pisa (1987); the historical centre of San Gimignano (1990); the historical centre of Siena (1995); the historical centre of Pienza (1996); the Val d'Orcia (2004), and the Medici Villas and Gardens (2013).
If you are planning a trip to Tuscany, these heavy hitters would all be excellent activities. In the last post, we discussed the first two entries on the list so here are more of those UNESCO sites and why you need to visit!
3. The Historical Centre of San Gimignano
If you are planning a trip to Tuscany, these heavy hitters would all be excellent activities. In the last post, we discussed the first two entries on the list so here are more of those UNESCO sites and why you need to visit!
3. The Historical Centre of San Gimignano
The Historical Centre of San Gimignano has retained its feudal atmosphere and appearance remarkably well and remains home to several notable palaces from the 12th to 14th centuries, a lovely cathedral as well as in other prominent religious and public buildings.
It is a cultural site of exceptional value as the local government has treasured and preserved its architectural homogeneity and its original urban layout. One of the most important features of San Gimignano's centre is its possession of a series of masterpieces of 14th and 15th century Italian art in their original architectural settings such as the 14th century fresco of The Last Judgment, Heaven and Hell by Taddeo di Bartolo, the 15th century Martyrdom of St. Sebastian by Benozzo Gozzoli and Domenico Ghirlandaio 15th century frescoes in the Cathedral and the Annunciation fresco in the Baptistery. The city's iconic remaining 14 medieval towers that rise above its palaces, meanwhile, preserve the look of a feudal Tuscan town and cannot be found to the same extent in Florence, Siena or Bologna.
It is a cultural site of exceptional value as the local government has treasured and preserved its architectural homogeneity and its original urban layout. One of the most important features of San Gimignano's centre is its possession of a series of masterpieces of 14th and 15th century Italian art in their original architectural settings such as the 14th century fresco of The Last Judgment, Heaven and Hell by Taddeo di Bartolo, the 15th century Martyrdom of St. Sebastian by Benozzo Gozzoli and Domenico Ghirlandaio 15th century frescoes in the Cathedral and the Annunciation fresco in the Baptistery. The city's iconic remaining 14 medieval towers that rise above its palaces, meanwhile, preserve the look of a feudal Tuscan town and cannot be found to the same extent in Florence, Siena or Bologna.
Restoration programs and concentrated efforts to consistently care for the city, even with rising tourist numbers, have made sure that San Gimignano remains a special medieval gem that cannot quite be rivalled elsewhere. Just find a luxury villa in San Gimignano to experience it for yourself or even go one step further and actually stay in one of its famous towers!
4. The Historical Centre of Siena
Siena is another impeccably maintained and retained medieval city. While San Gimignano is a feudal gem, Siena is a Gothic masterpiece that was created in competition with Florence. Largely reflecting the period between the 12th and 15th centuries today, it is centred around the Piazza del Campo and was devised as a work of art that blends into the surrounding landscape. The Gothic is so pervasive in the city, in fact, that even when buildings underwent major renovations in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries (such as the Town Hall, the Chigi-Saracini Palace, and the Marsili Palace), Gothic stylistic elements remained visible. The city had substantial influence on art, architecture and town planning during the Middle Ages, both in Italy and elsewhere in Europe and is masterpiece in which buildings have been designed to fit into the overall planned urban fabric., Just find a villa with pool in Siena and explore this harmonious, lovely, well-preserved and influential city for yourself.
For the last attractions on the list of UNESCO sites in Tuscany, be sure to read on to the last post in this series.
4. The Historical Centre of Siena
Siena is another impeccably maintained and retained medieval city. While San Gimignano is a feudal gem, Siena is a Gothic masterpiece that was created in competition with Florence. Largely reflecting the period between the 12th and 15th centuries today, it is centred around the Piazza del Campo and was devised as a work of art that blends into the surrounding landscape. The Gothic is so pervasive in the city, in fact, that even when buildings underwent major renovations in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries (such as the Town Hall, the Chigi-Saracini Palace, and the Marsili Palace), Gothic stylistic elements remained visible. The city had substantial influence on art, architecture and town planning during the Middle Ages, both in Italy and elsewhere in Europe and is masterpiece in which buildings have been designed to fit into the overall planned urban fabric., Just find a villa with pool in Siena and explore this harmonious, lovely, well-preserved and influential city for yourself.
For the last attractions on the list of UNESCO sites in Tuscany, be sure to read on to the last post in this series.
