The Basilica of San Lorenzo is at the origins of Florentine Renaissance with the tombs of the Medicis and sculptures by Donatello and Michelangelo. Although the church of San Lorenzo has some credible claims to being the oldest church in Florence, the present basilica is the third church here and dates from the Renaissance period. The church has several claims to … [Read more...]
Visit the Medici Chapels in San Lorenzo in Florence
The Medici Chapels with Michelangelo sculptures in the San Lorenzo church complex form the mausoleum for the most powerful and best-known family in Renaissance Florence. The mausoleum of the Medici family in Florence is not surprisingly a grand affair. The huge Chapel of the Princes (Capella Dei Principi) is covered by the second largest cupola in Florence while the … [Read more...]
See the Laurentian Medici Library by Michelangelo in Florence
The Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana is the Medici’s library designed by Michelangelo in the San Lorenzo complex in Florence. It is also a major working library. The Laurentian Medici Library (Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana) is a major library in Florence. For tourists, the main sight is the magnificent Renaissance reading room designed by Michelangelo. The entire room and … [Read more...]
Top Sights to See on the Field of Miracles in Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the top sight to see on the Field of Miracles that also include the cathedral (duomo), baptistery, Camposanto cemetery, and museums. The top sights to see in Pisa are all grouped together on what is often simply called the Field of Miracles (Campo Dei Miracoli, or often also Piazza del Duomo). The Leaning Tower of Pisa is by far the most … [Read more...]
Visit the Romanesque Duomo (Cathedral) in Pisa
The Duomo in Pisa a romanesque masterpiece of white marble with black detailing. The cathedral is filled with art — admission is free. Pisa Cathedral (Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale di Santa Maria Assunta or more commonly simply Duomo di Pisa) is best known for its campanile — the famous leaning tower of Pisa. However, this large marble church is a magnificent … [Read more...]
Visit the Baptistery in Pisa (Battistero di Pisa)
The Battistero di Pisa is the largest baptistery in Italy and like the famous leaning tower leans at a slight angle. The white marble Baptistery is in many ways the most beautiful building on Pisa’s field of miracles. It combines a round Romanesque base with Gothic upper floors with dainty details. The white of the marble is often offset beautifully by the green … [Read more...]
Visit the Cathedral Museum of Pisa (Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo)
The Cathedral Museum of Pisa (Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo) displays original artwork from the famous cathedral, baptistery and leaning tower of Pisa. Many of the original sculptures of the Duomo, baptistry and Camposanto Cemetery in Pisa are now preserved in the relatively small Cathedral Museum of Pisa (Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo). In addition to numerous original … [Read more...]
See Renaissance Frescoes at the Camposanto Cemetery in Pisa
The gothic arcades of the Camposanto Cemetery in Pisa are decorated with some of the finest Renaissance frescoes in Italy. Despite having a large collection of sarcophagi, the Camposanto Cemetery next to the marble Cathedral of Pisa is mostly not visited for graves but rather for its collection of Renaissance frescoes. For centuries the Camposanto, rather than the famous … [Read more...]
Visit the Sinopie Museum in Pisa
The Sinopie Museum (Museo delle Sinopie) in Pisa gives a fascinating look at how the frescoes of the Camposanto Cemetery were created. The Sinopie Museum (Museo delle Sinopie) in Pisa displays the original rough sketches used in the designs of the magnificent 14th-century frescoes in the Camposanto Cemetery. As these drawings were plastered over never to be seen again, … [Read more...]
Transportation to the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Getting to the Leaning Tower of Pisa is easy from many other parts of Italy including Florence, Livorno, Siena, and Rome, by train or on day trips. It is also easily seen en route to or from the airport. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the top sights to see in Italy. This iconic campanile is hugely popular with day-trippers and bus parties and well worth seeing when … [Read more...]
Enjoy Best Views of Venice from San Giorgio Maggiore
Visit the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore for some of the finest panoramic views of Venice in Italy including San Marco, the Doge’s Palace, and the Grand Canal. Some of the best views of Venice can be enjoyed from the campanile of the San Giorgio Maggiore church. From the square in front of the church, visitors can enjoy marvelous views for free of the Doge’s Palace … [Read more...]
View the San Zeno Maggiore Church in Verona, Italy
The large Basilica San Zeno Maggiore is the finest church in Verona and one of the most important Romanesque churches in Northern Italy. San Zeno Maggiore is architecturally the most important church in Verona. This large Romanesque basilica, with cloisters and a separate bell tower, was part of a Benedictine monastery that often housed the German Roman emperors. The … [Read more...]