City: Tuscany
Top Things to do in Tuscany
Top Hotels in Tuscany
Countries
Top 10 Traveler Resources in Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany (/ˈtʌskəni/ TUSK-ə-nee; Italian: Toscana, pronounced [toˈskaːna]) is a region in central Italy with an area of about 23,000 square kilometres (8,900 square miles) and a population of about 3.8 million inhabitants (2013). The regional capital is Florence (Firenze).
Restaurants in Tuscany
1. Biblioteca di storia dell'Arte di Montemerano
2. Biblioteca Piccolomini
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,063 reviews
Reviewed By westy54 - Sydney, Australia
This large single, rather narrow, room with a very high ceiling, used to be part of the priest's house attached to the side of the Duomo. Entry is gained via a side doorway from within the Cathedral. All of the combined tickets into the Duomo include entry into this Library. The Library was built in 1492 by authority of the then Bishop of Siena, Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini (who was to be the future Pope Pius III), to house the books and manuscripts of his uncle, Pope Pius II, and to honour his lifetime achievements. The single room has display cases that house beautifully hand painted and hand written hymn books around the lower part of the walls of the room. Above the display cases the walls are totally covered with richly coloured frescoes of 10 scenes representing various important events in the life of Pope Pius II. The vaulted ceiling is similarly covered in a series of brightly coloured smaller paintings that are geometrically spaced. The frescoes are the work of Pinturicchio, who was born in Perugia, and his workshop and were completed in the first decade of the 16th century. It is believed that a young Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino worked in this workshop for a period at this time. The only statue in the room is a copy of the statue of the The Three Graces, which is based on an original Greek statue. Don't miss seeing this room if visiting the Duomo.
3. Ars et Fides Firenze
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 380 reviews
Reviewed By N4156PHbillb - Pueblo, United States
This was our first stop after departing the train station and it was truly impressive. There is an entrance fee but it was very reasonable. The crowds head to the Duomo so we spent a significant amount of time viewing the paintings and art. The museum is small but nice. The alter is incredible. They have some restoration underway and it appears they had already completed many areas making the pieces incredibly vivid. A place we would return as the Gothic design is incredible and the pieces are more impressive than the Duomo.
4. Camelot Sports Events
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
5. Palazzo Strozzi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 927 reviews
The Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi is a dynamic cultural centre that hosts an extensive programme of exhibitions, ranging from ancient art and the Renaissance right up to the modern era and contempoary art, on the Piano Nobile and in the Strozzina of what is one of the unquestioned masterpieces of Florentine Renaissance architecture. Life in the Palazzo revolves around its Renaissance courtyard, which is used as a venue for concerts, performance art, contemporary art installations, theatrical performances and a great deal more. The educational programmes and collateral activities designed to tie in with each exhibition make Palazzo Strozzi a unique experience that engages every single visitor, with a special emphasis on young people, families and children, thus connecting the Palazzo with Florence and with the whole of Tuscany.
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
Palazzo Strozzi is a perfect example of the ideals of a noble Renaissance residence, and the complex appears as if a small fortress in the heart of the city, a specific request made by Filippo Strozzi himself. The Strozzi family, undoubtedly one of the richest Florentine families until it was exiled from Florence in 1434, suffered through many political and financial competitions with the Medici family. After their exile, Filippo Strozzi worked to accumulate the funds which allowed him to regain his powerful position and re-enter the city of Florence. In 1466, he came back with a mission...squash his rivals...with a vengeance. Once within the walls of the city, his first step was to build a home that would be a physical representation of his power and wealth, more noticeable, more prestigious and...just plain bigger than everyone else's, especially that of the Medici family. Its construction began in 1489 under the direction of Simone del Pollaiolo, known as Il Cronaca, on the orders of Filippo Strozzi. The appearance of the palace is similar to a small fortress built to a rectangular plan with three floors. Though much restructured internally, it is possible to still appreciate the original plan and beauty of the exterior and in the courtyard of the building. The construction was finished in 1538 and stayed in the Strozzi family until 1937, when the last heir passed away. Since the Second World War the Palazzo has been Florence's largest temporary exhibition space hosting modern and contemporary art shows. The building is today one of the most important museums in the city: the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi organizes a varied and innovative program of exhibitions, events and special activities. Perhaps the most memorable exhibits include The Peggy Guggenheim (1949 and recently repeated in 2016), Gustav Klimt (1992), Botticelli and Filippino Lippi (who was the most visited exhibition in Italy in 2004), and Cézanne in Florence (the most visited exhibition in Italy in 2007). The Palazzo Strozzi now hosts three major exhibitions annually, and there is one permanent exhibition which concentrates on the history of Palazzo Strozzi. In those days of our visit we were able to enjoy the exhibition of Natalia Goncharova with Gauguin, Matisse and Picasso.
6. Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 251 reviews
Reviewed By backpacker31 - Boynton Beach, United States
When visiting Basilica di San Lorenzo I purchased a combination ticket which included the library (and saved around a euro). The library is truly something. A dramatic ascent up a short flight of stone stairs brings you into the very long library/reading room. Row upon row of unique book storage shelves/benches line the room. Original signs hang beside each row indicating the books in that particular section. The intricately carved wood ceiling is a true masterpiece. A small rotunda is just off to the side of the reading room/library. Continue past the long corridor and you’ll enter an area which is home to an incredible collection of ancient maps depicting major ports that were used during the golden age of trade/shipping. Be sure to see the detailed map of Lower Manhattan (New York City) circa mid-1600’s.
7. Biblioteca Civica "Abate Emanuele Gerini"
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
8. Ufficio Informazioni Turistiche
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
9. Ufficio Turistico Bolgheri
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
10. Ufficio Turistico Intercomunale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
