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 Enjoy the Tuscan countryside |
Strada dei Colli Alti Florence 50019 Italy |
Set high up in a beautiful spot overlooking the city, this park is ideal for family days out and the perfect antidote to city stress. Spend a lazy afternoon stretched out on the grass, go for a meander along its pathways or bring a picnic. Appreciated by Tuscan Resistance members who sought refuge here during the Second World War, the park is easy to get to: just follow Via Bolognese or Via dei Colli Alti near Colonnata (enjoy the view on the way up), which lead to Piazzale Leonardo da Vinci (595m). On a clear day the entire Arno valley is visible from here and a further two-hour walk takes you to Monte Morello's highest point of 934m. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Daniel Mendelsohn |
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Medici Villa |
Via di Castello, 47 Florence 50141 Italy |
The villa belonged to the Medici family and Cosimo, Florence's new Duke, began the work on renovating the grounds, he planned an Italian garden with geometric designs, Vasari made the Duke's dreams become reality. At the center of the garden on the Fountain of Hercules and Anteus was placed a marble composition by Bartolomeo Ammannati, which is undergoing restoration. There are two lakes in the garden, with stone sculptures of animals, which stand out amongst the water displays. Today, the villa is the home of the Accademia della Crusca (set up to preserve and to study the "correct" form of the Italian language in 1583 and transferred here in 1974), and is not accessible to the public. Admission includes a visit to the Villa Medicea La Petraia. Admission: Free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
 Museum of ceramics |
Viale Pratese, 31 Florence 50019 Italy |
Situated a few kilometres from Florence, this museum records the production of majolica and ceramics by the Manifattura di Doccia from its foundation in 1737 up to the second half of the 20th century. The museum houses some 7000 pieces, not only tableware such as tea and coffee pots but also more unusual things such as barber's basins, statues, and church furnishings. The museum also organises temporary exhibitions in the Sala del Fondatore on the ground floor and monthly courses on ceramic painting. You can pay for a guided tour but it must be pre-booked. There is a bookshop and a ceramics shop at the entrance. The 'Museo delle Terre', on the ground floor, is also of interest. The multicoloured slips and clays which are used for the production and decoration of the ceramics are shown here. The museum is closed on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Splendid Medici villa |
Via della Petraia, 40 Florence 50141 Italy +39 55 45 1208 |
It was Ferdinando I de' Medici who commissioned the restructuring works to this castle, which belonged to the Brunelleschi family in the second half of the 16th Century. It seems more than likely that Buonalenti was placed in charge of the project. In 1648, Volterrano completed the frescoes on the walls of the inner courtyard, depicting the splendor of the Medici family. The courtyard was covered with an iron structure when the villa passed to the Savoy family, who then transformed it into a summer residence, introducing new furniture, including imperial pieces from other royal residences. The Italian gardens in front of the villa, complete with nurseries, greenhouses and pools, were designed in the 16th Century and partly modified in the 19th Century. To the rear are some beautiful English gardens designed by Fritsch. Many of the villa's rooms are open to visitors, including the lounge which the Savoy family equipped with parlor games. Guided tours are available at specific times. The gardens close one hour prior to the villa and tickets are also valid for entry to the park at the Villa Medicea di Castello. Admission: Free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: giosmarta |
 Photo: Antonio RUGGIERO |
 Photo: andrea natt |