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LUCCA
City Network of Lucca
Top of Page | Lucca
is the site of one of the most impressive city walls in existence today. Constructed in
the 16th century, Lucca's 39' high and 98' thick city wall is 2-1/2 miles long with eleven
bastions and six gates. The top of the wall is now used as a roadway lined with beautiful
trees, a delightful place for a stroll with a fine panoramic view of the city's numerous
ancient and artistic buildings. Lucca was also the home of the famous operatic composer
Giacomo Puccini. The city was established as a Roman colony around 180 B.C. It flourished
again during the Middle Ages and, in spite of suffering from periods of domination, it
survived as a Republic independent of its powerful neighbor, Florence. |
OCEAN BEACHES
Top of Page | VIAREGGIO,
MARINA DI PISA, MARINA DI PIETRASANTA, LIVORNO, PORTO SAN STEFANO, PORT'ERCOLE, PORTO VECCHIO...
Never to be forgotten is a stroll along a lovely Mediterranean beach. The Mare Tirreno
(the Mediterranean Sea)and these coastal towns are within a 1 hour to 1-1/2 hour drive from
most places in the Tuscan region. |
TORRE DEL LAGO PUCCINI
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By the Lake of Massaciuccoli (Lago di Massaciuccoli) is the Villa
Puccini, former home of the legendary opera composer, Giacomo Puccini. The villa can be
visited during the summer months from 9:00am - Noon and 3:00 - 7:00pm. In the nearby town of
TORRE DEL LAGO PUCCINI, each summer the Festival Pucciniano presents the master's works in an
open-air theatre. There are several campgrounds around the town and lake which also make
ideal picnic spots. |
PISA
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Home of the famous Leaning Tower and many other points of interest,
Pisa's most brilliant period was during the Middle Ages when it was a powerful maritime
republic. It is only minutes away from the Ligurian Sea. |
FLORENCE
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Cradle of the Renaissance and prosperous merchant city of the 15th
century, Florence became the artistic and intellectual capitol of Europe.
| CASTELLINA IN CHIANTI
Commune di Castellina
Chianti News (English Language Edn.)
Castellina in Chianti.com
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One of the many small towns in Chianti region of Tuscany where the
world famous "Gallo Nero" (Black Rooster) Classic Chianti Wine is produced, Castellina in
Chianti is also blessed with a uniquely convenient location. You can easily find yourself in
Florence (45 min's.), Siena (30 min's.), Pisa (50 min's.), Lucca (1 hr.), Montecatini (1 hr.),
or one of many other equally fascinating towns that are less than an hour's drive away. This
lovely town has truly become a center for those vacationing in Tuscany, with all the
conveniences. In addition to the splendid views of vineyards, it offers the sites of several
Etruscan tombs to be explored. |
RADDA
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The unofficial capital of the Chianti region, Radda is home to
several 15th and 16th century palaces. These absorbing structures are tucked in amidst the
predominately Medieval architecture of the rest of the town. |
GREVE
Comune di Greve in Chianti
Tourism in the Chianti
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With the charm of a rural market town, Greve is another of the
Chianti region's typically picturesque towns. This major wine distribution center is
surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. It makes an excellent base from which to explore
the surrounding countryside, and is a wonderful place to shop for a selection of local wines.
Market activity centers around the arcaded Piazza Verrazzano, where there is a monument to
Giovanni da Verrazzano, the "discoverer" of New York Bay. Among the region's local fairs and
festivals, Greve's Wine Festival, held each year in late September, is the largest wine
festival in Chianti. In the month of May there is a beautiful flower show, and in June a
"Horse Fair". Just up the hill from Greve is the elliptically shaped, fortified village of
Montefioralle. This town, just to the east, was the feudal redoubt of the Vespucci family,
whose now famous navigator son lent his name to the American continent. Other places of
interest include Castello di Verrazzano, 50022 Greve. Tel:055-854-243 /295-189; and
Vignamaggio, Tel:055853-007 /853-559. Situated on a beautiful hilltop overlooking the
vineyards below, this villa is said to have been the home of Leonardo da Vinci's most
celebrated model, the woman whose portrait is known as the Mona Lisa. Most recently, the
villa served as the location for the filming of Kenneth Branaugh's film of Shakespeare's "Much
Ado About Nothing". |
GAIOLE
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Near the charming town of Greve, Gaiole is a small market town in
the "Agricoltori Chianti Geografico". The headquarters of the local cooperative, where you
can purchase Chianti, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, VinSanto, and olive oil, is located at: Via
Mulinaccio #10, Tel: 577-749-489. Gaiole also serves as an excellent starting point from which
to visit several of the impressive castles in this area. Just to the west are the walls, and
the imposing Dungeon, of the Castello di Vertine. This outstanding sight has managed to keep
its 13th century appearance nearly intact. It is one of the most striking sights in the entire
Chianti Region. To the east of Gaiole stands the ancient fortified village of Barbischio, and
just 3km to the south, on route N-408, is the impressive medieval Castello di Melito. Most
majestic of all, however, is the Iron Baron's celebrated Castello di Brolio, owned by the
famous Ricasoli family. The Castello is located 10km south of Gaiole along route N-484. The
grounds, medieval chapel, and gardens are open daily from 9am to 12noon, and from 3pm to sunset.
At Madonna del Brolio, 10km south of the Castello, you can also visit the Cantine Barone
Ricasoli. Phone ahead for an appointment to tour this very interesting and active wine
producing facility. Tel:0557-311-961. |
SAN GIMIGNANO
San Gimignano
City of
Towers
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A most charming and completely walled medieval town, San
Gimignano rises on a hill dominating the river Elsa valley. Seat of a small Etruscan village
during the Hellenistic period, its modern history began in the 10th century when the town
took the name of San Gimignano, Bishop of Modena. It served as an important relay point for
pilgrims to and from Rome on the Via Francigena. The patrician families who controlled the
city during the 13th and 14th centuries built some 72 tower-houses (some as tall as 160ft, or
more) as symbols of their wealth and power. Today, San Gimignano’s 14 remaining towers rise
high from the narrow, twisting streets of a town that retains its feudal atmosphere and
appearance to overlook a countryside dominated by olive trees and rolling vineyards. The
view from the Rocca di Montestaffoli (a hilltop fortress dating from 1353) is truly
spectacular. |
VOLTERA
(Voltera's Roman Amphitheatre)
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Set in a contryside of rolling hills, vineyards, and cypresses
seemingly unchanged since the days of the Renaissance masters, Volterra is one of the lesser
known hilltop towns in the heart of Tuscany. Only an hour’s drive from Pisa, Siena, or the
Tyrrhenian coast, and near to Castellina in Chianti (about 25 min's.), it is a fascinating
Etruscan town. Within Volterra's medieval walls you can immerse yourself in history, shop
for local crafts, feast on authentic local cuisine, taste characteristic local wines, or
simply drink in the sights of one of the most lovely corners of the globe. Major points of
interest here include the nearly perfectly conserved 4th century Etruscan Gate, and the Roman
Theatre and Archeological Park. The well-preserved Roman amphitheatre is also an active
archeological dig site. Volterra’s Etruscan Museum houses artifacts from the 6th to the 1st
centuries B.C., and the nearby Etruscan tombs. Some of the more intriguing artifacts in the
museum have been brought in from the recent discoveries of more Etruscan tombs near Rome.
Shopping in Volterra is wonderful, especially for the beautiful works in alabaster produced
by local craftspeople. . |
POGGIBONSI
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Aside from its unusual name, Poggibonsi provides an interesting
look at a modern, industrial town set in picturesque surroundings. With its bustling wine
and oil markets, this city is a must for those interested in seeing a bit of modern Italy
along with the historical. |
SIENA
Siena
Jazz
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A perfectly preserved medieval town, Siena's narrow, twisting
streets are lined with 14th and 15th century buildings. One of Italy's most famous horse
races, Il Palio, is held each year in this picturesque city, on July 2nd, and again on August
16th. Before the race riders representing different areas within the town, dressed in
colorful traditional costumes, take part in a splendid parade in the main campo. |
CHIUSI
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Home to one of the Italy's finest museums of ETRUSCAN
artifacts. The town center also boasts a lovely little concert hall dedicated to the
composer, Maestro Pietro Mascagni. Nearby are several very intriguing Etruscan tombs that
can be explored. |
CASTIGLIONE del LAGO
Castiglione del Lago
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Travel back in time as you enter the Medieval fortress through
the undulating darkness of its fortified wall to climb the sloping, centuries old steps of
its circular tower. Picnic along the shores of Italy's largest lake. Catch a ferry to one
of the three picturesque islands, of particular interest to many is the lace manufacturing
on Isola Maggiore. Perched high atop its hill, with a view overlooking Lago Trasimeno, this
picturesque walled town is one of the oldest continuously fortified sites in Italy.
Castiglione del Lago is also home to a delightful series of summer evening concerts performed
in an outdoor amphitheater set in the ruins of its ancient fortress. |
GUBBIO
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In progress...
| PERUGIA
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Perugia is home to both the famous Perugina chocolates and one of
the largest universities in Italy which specializes in programs for "stranieri", or
foreigners. Picturesquely situated, its hill top location provides some spectacular views of
the surrounding countryside. Large sections of the old city walls dating back to the pre-Roman
times of the Etruscans are apparent near the city gates. |
ASSISI
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Built over an earlier ancient Roman settlement, this medieval town
includes among its many points of interest the basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. Begun in
1228 A.D., this unique structure consists of two churches built one above the other. An easy
day trip from the Florence, Castellina, Siena area. |
TORGIANO
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The town of Torgiano still preserves its medieval appearance
which is reinforced by the remains of its ancient walls. The Museum of Wine here, the most
highly regarded in all of Italy, is of great interest and contains a precious collection of
historical documents regarding the art of the vintner and wine-maker, as well as technical
instruments, prints, items of specialized craftsmanship and folklore documents and
bibliographic documentation on the subject. The fortified part of the town is situated near
the confluence of the Tiber and Umbrian valleys. Here, the cultivation of the vine is an
ancient art and the craft of pottery has a long tradition as well. |
DERUTA
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World famous for its beautiful and distinctive hand painted
pottery, Deruta ...in progress... |
TODI
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High on its hillside, Todi ...in progress... High hillside town that
LA TIMES ARTICLE THINKS IS BEST PLACE IN WORLD TO LIVE |
ORVIETO
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The ancient hill top city of Orvieto is home to one of the most
beautiful and intriguing Cathedrals in all of Italy. In nearby Bomarzo is the most unusual,
and little known, "Parco dei Mostri" (Monster Park). Originally created in 1552 by a
Prince of the famous Orsini family, this fantastic treasure was lost when it was abondoned
almost immediately his heirs and became completely overgrown by brush an bracken. It was
only "re-discovered" in the 20th century and provides a most interesting and amusing side trip
on your journey. |
BOLOGNA
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Bologna is world famous for its trade fairs and exhibits, as well
as the "sausage" that bears its name. It is the home of the oldest university in Europe which
is renowned for its prestigious School of Medicine. Founded in the 6th century B.C., this
tenacious city-state was conquered twice by the Roman Empire, forced to submit to Papal rule
during the 16th Century but did not finally become part of the unified Italian kingdom until
1859. This rich history, along with its open arcaded shopping area makes Bologna one of the
"must see" towns in the region. |
SPOLETO
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Home of the world famous Spoleto Festival of performing arts
with exciting world class artists in musical and theatrical performances. ...in progress... |
Villas d'Italia
962 Hobson Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362
USA
Phone: 509-526-4868
Fax: 509-529-7502
Email: info@villasditalia.com
Copyright 1983-2009, dde, D'Antoni Diversified Enterprises: Villas d'Italia
revised: 2 June 2009
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