As in the field of art and culture, Tuscany has always been a very fertile land in the field of monuments and architecture in general. Italy is homeland to some of the greatest geniuses and masters the world has ever known, who studied and/or lived there. Figures like Brunelleschi, Alberti and Leonardo da Vinci owe their fame to the city of Florence and Tuscany. Some of them had so original and cutting-edge minds that some of their works are not completely understood or represent source of much debate still nowadays.
Many of the most famous monuments in Tuscany are world-wide famous and represent the symbol of the city or the country where they have been erected. The beauty, the perfect integration within the city or country and the excellent conditions of many of these works, contributed to give Tuscany an almost unique title: Tuscany is one of the regions in Italy and worldwide with the higher number of places reported as World Heritage Sites by Unesco. Among these we can find the Historical Center of Florence, Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa and a small medieval village like Pienza.
Below you will find a list of some of the most important monuments of Tuscany:
DUOMO "SANTA MARIA DEL FIORE" - FLORENCE
The Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the biggest Churches of Italy and one of the masterpieces of the Italian gothic style. Started in 1296 on a project of Arnolfo di Cambio, it was finished in 1436 with the construction of the magnificent Cupola of Brunelleschi. The whole project includes the Cathedral, the Battistero and the Campanile di Giotto. All three buildings are part of Unesco's World Heritage Sites.
PONTE VECCHIO - FLORENCE
Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge built during Roman times and is the symbol of Florence. It is one of the most famous bridges in the world, and is noticed for the presence of shops all along it. Built for the first time around the I Century b.C, it has been the only bridge in Florence until 1218. Damaged several times, in 1345 it was rebuilt in the way that we know today.
PALAZZO PITTI - FLORENCE
Built in 1448 the Palace is situated on the Boboli Hill. In late-Renaissance style, it was built for the rich banker Luca Pitti, perhaps on a project of Brunelleschi although it is still not proved. Today the Palace houses some of the most important museums and galleries: The Gallery of Modern Art, the Palatine Gallery, the Argenti Museum, the Costume Gallery, Museo delle Carrozze, the Ceramics Museum, the Royal Apartments and the Apartments of the Duchess of Aosta.
PIAZZA DEI MIRACOLI - PISA
It represents the centre of art and tourism of the city of Pisa. The first monument was the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, built in 1063. The square started to look the way it appears today only in the 19th Century, and includes other monuments: the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Campo Santo, and the Leaning Tower. In 1987 the square was listed in Unesco's World Heritage Site List.
PIAZZA DEL CAMPO AND TORRE DEL MANGIA - SIENA
Is the main square in Siena. Unique for its particular shell-shape, is renowned worldwide for its beauty and for being the place where the famous Palio d Siena takes place. Torre del Mangia - the ancient bell-tower of the Town Hall - is also located in this square.
It is the second higher tower in Italy, and was built between 1325-1348
SAN GIMIGNANO
Is a small town in the province of Siena. San Gimignano came to life from an ancient Etruscan settlement. The urban structure and several buildings still preserve the Medieval aspects intact. For this reason in 1990 its historical center has been included in UNESCO's World Heritage Site List.
PIENZA
Little town in Val d'Orcia, in the province of Siena. The historical center - in Renaissance style - was wanted by Pope Pio II around 1450s, and is since 1996 one of UNESCO's World Heritage Site, along with the whole Val d'Orcia (2004). Pienza is considered a sort of "Ideal City", and was seen in the past as a model of life and ideal Government.