Tuscany is a beautiful area to visit,
brimming with history and culture, art and architecture; full of
fine food and awash with wonderful wines. Here is a small sample.....
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| MONTERCHI |
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South of Ahghiari and Sansepolcro,
Monterchi is a quiet little fortified village on high ground
surrounded by peaceful countryside and forrested hills. The
area is entirely agricultural, the main crops being sunflower,
olive, grape, tobacco and maize. There are excellent restaurants
and bars, and sufficient shops. Piero della Francesca's mother
was born here. |
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Piero della Frencesca's
famous fresco of the Madonna del Parto, painted in the local
cemetery chapel in 1460, shows the pregnant Madonna revealed
by two angels holding back the curtains of a tent. Since 1993
the restored fresco has been on display in the old village
school buildings. |
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ANGHIARI |
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Clinging to its hilltop
with stunning views across the Upper Tiber Valley this small
fortified medieval town is full of surprises. These include
the Roman "ski jump" and the Busatti shop and textile
factory, still using 19th century British looms. The restoration
of antique furniture and other artefacts is a speciality here.
Michaelangelo's bithplace is nearby. |
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CITTA DI
CASTELLO |
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Next to the river in the
Upper Tiber Valley this medieval walled town of Roman origin
is full of lively atmosphere, including the regular "passagiata".
Quality shops, restaurants and bars abound as do the frequent
festivals and markets. Noteable are the circular campanile
and the Pinacoteca art gallery. What does the top dial tell
you? |
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FLORENCE |
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The birthplace of the Rennaissance
is also the bustling provincial capital of Tuscany whose museums
and galleries house some of the worlds greatest works of art
and architecture. The magnificent Duomo and the ancient Ponte
Vecchio bridge over the river Arno are but a few easy minutes
walk from the railway station. |
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PERUGIA |
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This buzzing university
city is the provincial capital of Umbria. The medieval town
centre is built on a lofty ridge and offers many beautiful
buildings and a famous fountain. As well as by road, this
is also accessable from below by a series of escalators built
within the ancient fortifications. The city holds frequent
festivals and cultural events. |
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ASSISI |
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Made largely of pink and
white marble, Saint Francis's hillside home town breathes
beauty, peace and in the evenings even tranquility. Apart
from the glorious 14th century Basilica the town also offers
many other religious, historic, retail and cullinary delights.
A must see is the simple church and monastery of San Damiano.
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MONTEPULCIANO |
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This well preserved hilltop
town in the southeastern part of Tuscany has many handsome
16th century palaces including the famous High Renaissance
Tempio di San Bagio. The town is an especially important producer
of red wine including the excellent Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Many of its vaulted cellars may be visited, and tasted. |
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MONTONE |
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A few minutes south of Citta
di Castello is the picturesque medieval hilltop village of
Montone. The Museo e Pinacoteca Comunale houses a large collection
of paintings and early medieval sculpture. There are frequent
costumed festivals and concerts. The views from the top of
the village are quite delightful, as are the picture book
ones within. |
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little to the east of Montone and nestling at the foot of
the Appennines is this beautiful and lively medieval Umbrian
gem. Famous not only for its 14th century Palazzo dei Consoli,
many other treats await the visitor including a cable car
ride up a mountain and the world's biggest Christmas tree.
Regular crossbow competions are held here against Sansepolcro. |
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| SANSEPOLCRO |
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Piero della Francesca was
born here in the 1410s. The Museo Civico houses his greatest
painting The Resurrection. The ancient walled town, sitting
adjacent to the river in the Upper Tiber Valley, is vibrant
with many good bars, great restaurants, markets and pageantry.
It is also home to the Buitoni spaghetti factory. Crossbow
archery contests are held in the piazza against Gubbio. |
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