It would be almost a crime to spend your holidays in Tuscany
without immersing yourself in the rich culture and colourful history of
the province. Many of the towns and cities were historically major
centres of high art in Italy, and they in turn bred artists who produced
awe-inspiring works of wonder.
If you've a penchant for art or would simply like to see what all the fuss is about, here are some of the top museums to add to your itinerary.
1. The Uffizi, Florence - The Uffizi is one of the most famous museums in the world - if not the most famous when it comes to high art. It was one of the first modern museums in the world, officially opening to the general public in 1765, and houses notable works such as da Vinci's The Annunciation, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Rembrandt's Self-portrait as a Young Man. The fame of the Uffizi attracts large crowds, but the sheer amount of art contained within will definitely make it worth the time and effort to include it as an attraction on holidays in Tuscany.
2. Leonardo da Vinci Museum, Florence - Da Vinci was not just a great artist but a prolific inventor and designer as well. This made him one of the most iconic symbols of the Renaissance, and this particular museum is dedicated to bringing his gadgets and devices to life. This is a definite must-see on any holidays in Tuscany, as since his inventions evoke child-like wonder within anyone - from young children to grandparents.
3. Etruscan Academy Museum, Cortona - If archaeology is your cup of tea, then you will find a lot to like in the Etruscan Academy Museum. It is best known for holding exhibits of fossils and artefacts dating from the Palaeolithic age. There are also books, manuscripts and paintings reflecting the pooled knowledge of their respective times. There's even an Egyptian exhibit showcasing mummies and sarcophagi. Anyone with an eye for archaeology should add the Etruscan Academy Museum to their list of must-sees while on holidays in Tuscany.
4. Palazzo Publico, Siena - Medieval Gothic architecture and a unique blend of secular and religious frescoes await you in this former palace. The frescoes tell their own stories, from the rippling effect of leadership as depicted in The Allegory of Good and Bad Governance to the mysterious Maestà depicting saintly figures crowding Mother Mary carrying a young Jesus Christ. The damaged states of the frescoes enhance the sobriety of the pieces, enhancing their historical beauty and reflecting the history they have witnessed.
5. The Alabaster Museum, Volterra - Volterra is a city located close to vast natural deposits of alabaster. It's no surprise then that artists would congregate in Volterra to create their own miniature works of art shaped from the relatively soft mineral. Over 300 works of art from the 18th and 19th centuries are contained in the former convent.
Keep these museums in mind and you'll have the perfect start to appreciating the artistic and cultural history of this stunning region.
If you've a penchant for art or would simply like to see what all the fuss is about, here are some of the top museums to add to your itinerary.
1. The Uffizi, Florence - The Uffizi is one of the most famous museums in the world - if not the most famous when it comes to high art. It was one of the first modern museums in the world, officially opening to the general public in 1765, and houses notable works such as da Vinci's The Annunciation, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Rembrandt's Self-portrait as a Young Man. The fame of the Uffizi attracts large crowds, but the sheer amount of art contained within will definitely make it worth the time and effort to include it as an attraction on holidays in Tuscany.
2. Leonardo da Vinci Museum, Florence - Da Vinci was not just a great artist but a prolific inventor and designer as well. This made him one of the most iconic symbols of the Renaissance, and this particular museum is dedicated to bringing his gadgets and devices to life. This is a definite must-see on any holidays in Tuscany, as since his inventions evoke child-like wonder within anyone - from young children to grandparents.
3. Etruscan Academy Museum, Cortona - If archaeology is your cup of tea, then you will find a lot to like in the Etruscan Academy Museum. It is best known for holding exhibits of fossils and artefacts dating from the Palaeolithic age. There are also books, manuscripts and paintings reflecting the pooled knowledge of their respective times. There's even an Egyptian exhibit showcasing mummies and sarcophagi. Anyone with an eye for archaeology should add the Etruscan Academy Museum to their list of must-sees while on holidays in Tuscany.
4. Palazzo Publico, Siena - Medieval Gothic architecture and a unique blend of secular and religious frescoes await you in this former palace. The frescoes tell their own stories, from the rippling effect of leadership as depicted in The Allegory of Good and Bad Governance to the mysterious Maestà depicting saintly figures crowding Mother Mary carrying a young Jesus Christ. The damaged states of the frescoes enhance the sobriety of the pieces, enhancing their historical beauty and reflecting the history they have witnessed.
5. The Alabaster Museum, Volterra - Volterra is a city located close to vast natural deposits of alabaster. It's no surprise then that artists would congregate in Volterra to create their own miniature works of art shaped from the relatively soft mineral. Over 300 works of art from the 18th and 19th centuries are contained in the former convent.
Keep these museums in mind and you'll have the perfect start to appreciating the artistic and cultural history of this stunning region.
Carolyn Spinks is COO of ABTOI - The Association of British Travel Organisers to Italy. If you're looking for the perfect holidays in Tuscany
the LoveItaly website provides destination information, contact details
of tour operator members to help plan the best Italian holiday, insider
tips, year round special offers and information on everything from
beach holidays in Sardinia, cycling in Sicily, to a wedding or honeymoon
in Tuscany.
