Best places to visit
Best places to visit - Montelupo Fiorentino (Italy) Best places to visit - Slideshows from all over the world - City trips, nature pictures, etc.
Italy Cycling Holidays: From Florence to Rome
A cycle journey through the 'green heart' of Italy, from the enchanting city of Florence to the nations capital Rome. The contrasts are very noticeable as you leave behind Tuscany and arrive in the peaceful, mystical and sometimes unexplored Umbria. During the approx. 280 km of cycling you will see cities like Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto and Terni, displaying an incredible wealth of art treasures, which take their visitors back to the Middle Ages. The cities have barely changed over the centuries and the rolling landscape dotted with vineyards and hill top towns will give you an appreciation of why the area is so popular with painters. On mostly back roads the route winds through the valleys of the Apennines and gentle hills near to Trasimeno Lake. At the end, the Eternal City of Rome awaits you, a fitting end to this exhilarating Italian journey by bike.
Note that prices and information shown maybe out of date and no longer valid
Italy/Tavarnelle Val Di Pesa (Chianti/Tuscany) Part 54/84
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Tavarnelle Val di Pesa:
Tavarnelle Val di Pesa is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Florence in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 25 kilometres (16 miles) south of Florence.
The main attraction of the territory of Tavarnelle is the Badia di Passignano (Abbey of Passignano), a monastery existing from the High Middle Ages.
Other sights include:
Church of Santa Lucia al Borghetto, part of a Franciscan monastery known from 1260. The church is an example of Gothic architecture.
Gothic church of Madonna della Neve, with 14th-15th-century frescoes.
Church of Santa Maria del Carmine al Morrocco (15th century)
Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie a Pietracupa, founded in 1596, with a Madonna image frescoed by Paolo Schiavo.
Pieve of San Pietro in Bossolo, a Romanesque church known from 990, housing works from Roman, Byzantine and Florentine schools.
Villa di Poggio Petroio, outside the town.
The pieve of San Donato in Poggio (12th century), in Romanesque style, with a basilica plan with a nave and two aisles and three apses. It houses a baptism shell by Giovanni della Robbia (1513) and a triptych by Giovanni del Biondo (1375).
The Pesa is a river 53 km long that traverses the Provinces of Florence and Sienna in Tuscany, Italy. The Val di Pesa - the Valley of the River Pesa, is the name given to the areas along the river and also includes much of its watershed.
The average altitude of the River Pesa basin is 286 m. The river is effectively a seasonal torrent in parts and remains without water in its final stretch during the summer.
The River Pesa arises from the confluence of several tributaries in the area located between the Badiaccia in Montemura (675 m) and Badia a Coltibuono (628 m) at the border of the provinces of Sienna and Florence. After descending to the south-west to the so-called Palace of Radda, the river turns to the north-west and maintains this direction, touching Sambuca in the municipality of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa and then Bargino and Cerbaia in the municipality of San Casciano in Val di Pesa, San Vincenzo a Torri in the municipality of Scandicci, Ginestra Fiorentina in the municipality of Lastra a Signa and finally crosses the town of Montelupo Fiorentino where it flows into the Arno.
Some of the towns and villages along the Val di Pesa that incorporate the name of the valley into their names are:
Tignano is a fortified hamlet whose church of San Romolo houses a terracotta tabernacle by Giovanni della Robbia.Wikipedia
Italy Travel - Rome, Still Exploring!
A brief stop in Rome, once again. This time we visit some less-known sights including several churches. You don't need to be a Christian, or even religious, to appreciate the marvelous architecture.
Santa Maria sopra Minerva is practically the only surviving Gothic monument in Rome. With it's star-filled ceilings and great art, (Michelangelo created the beautiful sculpture of Christ with the Cross), you can spend an hour in here just to enjoy some peace.
Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martir is an incredible sanctuary designed by Michelangelo himself within ancient Roman ruins - the Baths of Diocletian.
The Papal Basicilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is the original Vatican or church of the Pope. It was built over a Roman temple too, in 432 ad, and the design is based on the Roman Imperial style.
Naturally, we had to visit St Peters once again. Though always impressive we were struck this time by the staged design - - faux-painted marble, over-sized everything, mosaics for paintings (a maintenance consideration). But... there is amazing design work and several authentic art pieces including Bernini's unbelievable high alter piece, and of course, the Pieta by Michelangelo.
Other churches offer the best Baroque architecture in Rome, and unique architectural characteristics.
You'll also find pictures of the Pantheon, (Temple for All Gods), built by the Romans in a Greek style, and considered to be one of the key-stones of architecture.
The Ponte Sant'Angelo is the connection between old Rome and the Vatican and is worth a casual stroll. (The related Castelo Sant'Angelo is shown in other TravelFlix adventures.)
We also visit the Largo di Torre Argentina, (wonderful ruins in the middle of the old district), and a few other sights.
Here are some of the specific details, (not all are shown in this short video):
Campo di Fiori
Undeveloped until 15th century, (flood zone),
Unplanned, never formalized to proper piazza,
Significance is historical, not architectural.
Palazzo Farnese
1517 Antonnio da Sangallo, improved by
Michelangelo, Vignola, Giacomo dell Porta
Monumental High-Renaissance palace.
Also: Fontana di Piazza Farnese
Palazzo della Cancelleria
Largo di Torre Argentina
Ruins of 4 Republican Roman temples, and
Remains of Pompey's Theater, part of
ancient Campus Matius district.
Santa Maria sopra Minerva
1280 -- 1447 by Fra Sisto Fiorentino
& Fra Ristoro da Campi,
Built over temple to Isis (not Minerva)
rare example of Gothic church in Rome
Pantheon
Built by Marcus Agrippa 31 bc, rebuilt by
Hadrian 126 ad. Best preserved Roman
monumental building influenced Bernini,
Brunelleschi, Palladio, etc.
Temple of Hadrian
145 ad, reconstructed periodically,
used as Papal palace in 17th century,
now occupied by bank, conference center
Sant'Ignazio
1626 -- 1650 Orazio Grassi, Math-based Baroque
Additional changes through 1722 including
Rococo entry detailing and famous trompe
L'oeil ceilings by Andrea Pozzo
Piazza Navona
Site of the Stadium of Domitian 1st cent.
Defined as public space in 15th century.
Location of: Fountain of 4 Rivers (Bernini),
Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, (Borromini)
Santa Maria Maddalena
(1586) current building: 1699, by
Carlo Quadri, Carlo Fontanta,
& Giovanni de Rossi,
final Rococo design: 1734,
unique concave facade
Ponte Sant'Angelo
Once Bridge of Hadrian, 134 ad,
10 angel statues by Bernini replaced
aging angels by Raffaello da Montelupo
St. Peter's Basilica
1506 Donato Bramante
1513-1515 Sangallo, Fra Giocondo, Raphael
1547 Michelangelo, 1585 dell Porta
Original Basilica by Constantine 326 - 333
Late Renaissance bldg. with Baroque detailing
Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri
Constructed within the Baths of Diocletian,
Ambitious remodel designed by Michelangelo,
Harmonious Renaissance interior contained
within ancient brick walls. No ext. façade.
Baths of Diocletian
Remnants surround not only the church,
but re-appear blocks away indicating
vast lay-out of baths complex.
Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
432 first Christian basilica built over temple
to Cybele. Contains mosaics from tha time.
Design based on Roman imperial basilica.
Exterior façade from 18th century.
Imperial Fora:
Trajan's Column Trajan's Forum
Trajan's Market Basilica Ulpia
Forum of Augustus Torre dei Conti
Capitoline Hill
Cordonata
Piazza del Campidoglio
Piazza Venezia
Other must-see locations:
Colosseum
Baths of Caracalla
Aurelian Walls
Porta San Sebastiano (Porta Apia)
Theatre of Marcellus
Temple of Apollo Sosianus
Temple of Bellona
Forum Boarium:
Temple of Portunus
Temple of Hercules victor
Arch of Janus
Enjoy!
Cycling around Florence in Italy
Make the most of Florence by taking a City Cycle Tour. It is a quick way of covering a lot of distance at the same time as gaining local knowledge. Florence is one of Italy's flat cities and is ideal for riding a bike. Background music is Monks by Topher Mohr and Alex Elena.
Biking from Florence to Lastra a Signa in Tuscany Italy / Songs by Ernie Oldfield
Biking and enjoying the view along the way from Florence to the old village of Lastra a Signa about 20 km west taking the rough bike road along the Arno River. The weather was viariable from sun,rain and snow as we are still in winter. Listen to the country songs of Ernie Oldfield.
Europe 2007 Part 42 The towers of San Gimignano - Le torre di San Gimignano
San Gimignano was founded as a small village in the 3rd century BCE by the Etruscans. Historical records begin in the 10th century, when it adopted the name of the bishop Saint Geminianus, who had defended it from Attila's Huns in the fifth century.
In the Middle Ages and Renaissance era, it was a stopping point for Catholic pilgrims on their way to Rome and the Vatican, as it sits on the medieval Via Francigena, which is well documented in the city. The city's development also was improved by the trade of agricultural products from the fertile neighbouring hills.
In 1199, during the period of its highest splendour, the city made itself independent from the bishops of Volterra. Divisions between Guelphs and Ghibellines troubled the inner life of the commune, which nonetheless, still managed to embellish itself with artworks and architecture.
Saint Fina, known also as Seraphina and Serafina, was a thirteenth century Italian saint born in San Gimignano during 1238. Since Saint Fina died on March 12, 1253 her feast day became March 12. Her major shrine is in San Gimignano and the house said to be her home still stands in the town.
On May 8, 1300, San Gimignano hosted Dante Alighieri in his role of ambassador of the Guelph League in Tuscany.
The city flourished until 1348, when the plague that affected all of Europe, compelled it to submit to Florence.
San Gimignano became a secondary centre until the nineteenth century, when its status as a touristic and artistic resort began to be recognized.
While in other cities, such as Bologna or Florence, most or all of their towers have been brought down due to wars, catastrophes, or urban renewal, San Gimignano has managed to conserve fourteen towers of varying height which have become its international symbol.
There are many churches in the town: the two main ones are the Collegiata, formerly a cathedral, and Sant' Agostino, housing a wide representation of artworks from some of the main Italian renaissance artists.
The Communal Palace, once seat of the podestà, is currently home of the Town Gallery, with works by Pinturicchio, Benozzo Gozzoli, Filippino Lippi, Domenico di Michelino, Pier Francesco Fiorentino, and others. From Dante's Hall in the palace, access may be made to a Majesty fresco by Lippo Memmi, as well as the Torre del Podestà or Torre Grossa, 1311, which stands fifty-four meters high.
The heart of the town contains the four squares, Piazza della Cisterna, Piazza Duomo where the Collegiata is located, Piazza Pecori, and Piazza delle Erbe. The main streets are Via San Matteo and Via San Giovanni, which cross the city from north to south.
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Poppy field in Empoli Tuscany, Italy. Drone video
Poppy field in Empoli, Tuscany (Italy)
Campo di papaveri a Empoli, Toscana (Italia)
Recorded on May 28th, 2018
Parrot BeBop 2 Drone
Autumn Bike Ride to Empoli in Tuscany Italy
Back and forth bike ride from Florence to Empoli in Tuscany Italy. Passing through off-road pathways along the Arno River. Enjoy the colorful autumn view and the songs of Ernie Oldfield.
Osteria Nuove di Scandriglia Poggio San Lorenzo Ornaro SS4 Italy Italien 17.10.2015
Der Weg ist das Ziel... komm fahr mit in meinem Goggomobil =G=
Sightseeing in Krisenregionen, Armenviertel, Bürgerkriegsgebieten.
Along radioactive Death-Zones, MOAs, No-Go and Civil-War Areas.