Tuscany

The charming town of Lucca is situated on a plain surrounded by hills. The small, historic town center... is enclosed by a massive wall with seven gates. In addition to good shopping facilities and the lively elegance of its palazzos, the birthplace of Puccini offers a wealth of musical entertainment. Lucca has a number of interesting churches. A particular highlight is the San Martino Cathedral, which has a façade adorned with highly imaginative columns and also contains the tomb of Ilaria del Caretto by Jacopo della Quercia, which is one of the most important pieces of sculpture in Italy. The most interesting thing about Santa Reparata church is what lies beneath it - excavations under the church floor unearthed the remains of Roman baths and of an early Christian basilica as well as the remains of the 12th century construction site, complete with brickworks. San Frediano, with its majestic tower, is an eye-catching sight, although the mosaic of Christ's ascension on the church façade is much more beautiful. more

Although it has been a long time since Siena's heyday in the 13th and 14th centuries, the city, which... sits on three hills, seems to remain pretty much unscathed by the passing of time. As before, Siena, with its reddish brown brick palazzi, remains a centre for trade, banking and science. The fact that cars were banned from the old town center over 40 years ago has contributed greatly to the preservation of its lively yet laid-back style. Siena is famous for its Piazza del Campo, whose unique seashell shape and the Gothic palazzos lining it make it the most beautiful square in Italy. Twice a year - in early July and the middle of August - it becomes the arena for a traditional horse race, the Palio. At its lowest point is the Palazzo Pubblico, the city hall with its triforium windows, which marks the end of the piazza. The magnificent old cathedral, which dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries, forms an interesting contrast with the early stages of construction of the unfinished "Duomo Nuovo", the building of which was commenced 1339 but was never completed due to lack of money and problems with the statics. more

Pisa lies near the mouth of the River Arno and has always been a self-confident city. In the Middle Ages,... it was a major sea power on the western Mediterranean, and enjoyed lively trade relations. Today it has a particular appeal for tourists, who mainly flock to see a single building. The bell tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, has made the city world famous. Following a ten-year restoration project, it has been accessible to visitors again since the end of 2001. In addition to the Tower, there is the wonderful Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral in Campo dei Miracoli, Italy's first cruciform ecclesiastical building. It combines Romanesque influences from Northern Italy with Islamic architectural influences. The third famous building in the miracle square is the baptistery, a round building containing a free-standing hexagonal marble chancel. more