It is considered as the birthplace of the Renaissance and is known all over the world for its rich cultural heritage and artistic legacy. It is also known for its beautiful landscapes which attract millions of visitors every year.
Major tourist spots in the Tuscany region include the majestic city of Florence and Pisa. The seaside village of Castiglione della Pescaia is also a major attraction. There are seven localities in Tuscany that are designated as World Heritage Sites including the historic center of Florence and the Cathedral Square of Pisa. Tuscany is also home to more than a hundred protected and beautiful natural reserves.
In this article, we take a look at the best things to do when you’re spending time in one of Italy’s and the world’s most beautiful regions, the Tuscany.
Visit the Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence
Unlike the name would suggest, Piazzale Michelangelo was not designed by Michelangelo. It was designed in 1869 by Florentine architect Guiseppe Poggi, as part of the reconstruction of the city’s walls in 1869.
The architect had created a building on the hillside with the intention of it being a museum which would host copies of famous works of art by Michelangelo. However, that museum was never built and that building hosts a restaurant now. Regardless, Piazzale Michelangelo has been attached to the culture of the city of Florence with some people mistakenly thinking that it had been a part of Florence ever since the city existed.
Visiting the famous Piazzale Michelangelo is heavily recommended if you are visiting Florence in the Tuscany region of Italy. Beautiful landscapes of the city and its surrounding hills can be seen from the Piazzale Michelangelo, especially when the sun is setting out.
Fine art lovers can find a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David in the plaza too.
See the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the third oldest structure in the historical Cathedral Square of Pisa, the two older buildings being the Cathedral itself and the Pisa Baptistry.
The famous tilt of tower started in the twelfth century during construction when the ground was too soft on one side to support the foundation of the tower.
Over the years, it has survived four strong earthquakes and research eventually concluded that the special conditions of the structure in relation to the ground made the building survive those earthquakes.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa can be best experienced when it is seen in person and it is an excellent idea to visit this tourist attraction when you are on your next vacation in Tuscany.
Wine Tasting and Winery Tours
For people who are into wine, Tuscany might be a paradise for them. There is a lot of wine tasting to be done and there are many organized wine tours, cooking lessons, wine tasting, and wine cellar tours available for the people visiting the region of Tuscany in central Italy.
Areas such as Chianti, just a bit south from Florence, is considered as one of the finest wine producing regions in the world. However, other areas in the Tuscany region like Brunello are also a great destination for wine tasting.
The area of Tuscany is huge and you are free to explore a large variety of great wine based on the theme of grapes. The wines coming from the regions like Lucca and Montecarlo are really remarkable.
Visiting the Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is an art museum located in the Historical Center of Florence. It is the most visited museum located in Italy and is one of the most important museums in the region. It holds a wide range of priceless art, mostly from the period of the Renaissance.
Aside from being the home to a wide range of paintings from the 14th century and the Renaissance period, the museum also has an invaluable collection of ancient statues and busts from the Medici family.
The museum is one of the best in the world and any art lover that is passing through the Tuscany region of Italy should definitely visit this place and experience the finest art from one of the finest periods of the history of mankind.
Visit the Siena Cathedral
The Siena Cathedral is a medieval church in the city of Siena, Italy in the Tuscany region of the country. It is one of the oldest churches in the world, being constructed between 1215 and 1263 and the architecture of the structure is marvelous and awe-inspiring.
The interior of the cathedral has black and white stripes on the walls and columns, linked to the black and white horses of the city’s legendary founding brothers, Senius and Aschius. The cathedral is also filled with valuable pieces of art like The Feast of Herod by Donatello and works by Bernini and a young Michelangelo.
There is a lot of history and art to take in when you visit The Siena Cathedral and it is not a destination to be missed when it comes to the Tuscany region of Italy.