Feature is its semi-circular ring structure that descend gently towards the sea, corresponding to the many stages of urban development. And 'one of the countries that best Cecina Go to maintain the layout of the medieval castle. On the territory have been found remains of Etruscan and Roman settlements, of which some remains can be seen in the country.

The hills of Casale were places of Etruscan settlements and several archaeological finds were made in territorio.Il most important is a tholos tomb, of the fifth century BC, removed and rebuilt in the garden of the Archaeological Museum of Florence. Come from this tomb, among other things, the two oldest objects in alabaster which has been known, probably left from the workshops of Volterra - a patera and a lacrimatoio -, also the Archaeological Museum of Florence. Other exhibits in museums of Volterra and Cecina Fifty. The Roman era is a small villa in Botro della Pieve, the materials of which were reused in some buildings of the country.

The medieval castle is named in documents since 1004 and belonged to the Counts of Gherardesca, which refer to the first documents of sale (in 1004 Gerard and his wife Julia gave it a church and 13 farms "that are in the court of Casale" to the monastery Santa Maria Serena in Chiusdino, in 1008 Gherardo of Gherardo was sold homes, farms and household goods of the district of the parish of St. John of Casale, and Wilda, his wife, other property in the same district, in 1092 a Count Gherardo granted to the monastery Montescudaio a church of Sant'Andrea in Casale).

In fact there were two castles in the area of ​​the same name: Casalvecchio, which remained the only hill of the same name in the southeast of the country, and Casalnuovo, today Casale Maritime. It is not clear what the relationship between the two castles and how long they lived together; oldest documents are certainly to refer to Casalvecchio, and so also a famous letter from the bishop of Volterra, in 1344, in which these tells how the Count Gherardo di Donoratico were sick in the castle of Casale and because of poor air could not heal until they had been taken elsewhere: "We sent them doctors [...] and those advised him because the air of Casale was corrupt and of other reasons that if there is not it proceeded, that he was in jeopardy of life and truly according to which 'doctors we were then told that sickness would not be unsubstantiated if it was not party. " And 'This is an early witness to the spread of malaria.

Casalvecchio presumably was destroyed in 1363 during a battle between Pisa and Florence, but probably even before it was gradually abandoned in favor of Casalnuovo that, although not the highest, it was better ventilated and more healthy.

Between the two castles on Botro della Pieve, was the parish church of St. John the Baptist of Casale, which still gives its name to the river and a location. It was the mother church of the surrounding, the only one with a baptismal font, and she did not just head Casalvecchio and Casalnuovo, but also Guardistaiio and Montescadaio. Although it was heavily damaged - in fact, "[...] almost demolished et destructa totum" in the fighting of 1363 and the baptismal font as a result of this war had been transferred to Casalnuovo - it held the title of parish and kept it , apparently, even until the middle of the '500. In 1413, at the time of a pastoral visit of the Bishop of Volterra, it turned out "in totum ruined," that is totally ruined and only the walls were standing, but he was parish and the parish priest. In 1439 the baptisms of all the children of the neighboring castles were held "every Holy Saturday at the baptismal font in the parish of St. John the Baptist in Santo Andrea Casale," as can be seen from a letter from the Bishop of Volterra, which shows that Sant 'Andrea housed the baptismal font but do not have the title of parish. While the castles of Casale were under the political domination of the Republic of Pisa, the church depended on the diocese of Volterra.

A Casalvecchio lived from about half of the '300 Montescudaio accounts, branch of the family Gherardesca formed at that time in the castle of Montescudaio. One of their palace or fortress still existed in the nineteenth century and is named in the Gazetteer of Repetti. The structure of the castle was a circular plan with a door to the south and antiporti provided with access ramp and dominated by the fortress. To the north was a lookout tower, still visible, but they are not proven other ports. The walls were formed by the same houses they had, and have, very thick walls to the outside and few windows placed only at the top. Inside - as in other medieval settlements - the houses were huddled together without any rule and no respect for the progression of the roads and lack of sufficient aeration. The castle contained within it not only the houses and cellars, the shops of the butcher, the blacksmith, the barber, the oven and the mill, but also the stables and forts for domestic animals (donkeys, pigs, chickens) and some vegetable garden. In addition there was the church with the adjoining cemetery and, in addition to the mansion with stables, stables and warehouses, were the court room and prisons. Outside the walls remained the source with the watering and washing. The church was dedicated to St. Andrew Casalnuovo and is named for the first time in 1305.

In 1406, following the conquest of Pisa from Florence, Casale also, like other countries of the Val di Cecina, submitted to the Florentine Republic. In 1407 he obtained permission from Florence to form a municipality, but contrary to what happened in Montescudaio Guardistallo, could not free himself from the accounts of Gherardesca-Montescudaio who kept their property and jurisdiction. The small community did not give immediately the statutes, but in 1414 he accepted those Montescudaio Guardistallo and also afterwards, since 1490 until 1620, its statutes were always included in those of the other two municipalities.

On the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries are reports of some interest; centuries are characterized by the defense against pirate raids, the fight against malaria which infested the coastal plain and dated back to the countries from periodic famines and epidemics and the social and economic stagnation characterized in these areas the Medici Grand Duchy. All these factors have definitely made it difficult living conditions of the population.

In 1551, Casale had 245 inhabitants.

1642 is the news that the community decided on the fortification of the walls to defend against pirate raids from the sea. In 1648, in the wake of Montescudaio, Casale was given in fief to the Ridolfi and in 1738 became part of the Marquis of Riparbella, given in fief to Count Carlo Ginori.

At the beginning of the eighteenth century campaigns were in a state of extreme poverty and backwardness. Vast lands of the vassal remained reserved for hunting and the woods were advancing. In 1709 "was proposed as it would have been necessary to have the opportunity of a doctor, given the bad air, and indexable patients often die miserably without experiences." Nevertheless Casale was probably in better shape than many other countries since the Targioni Tozzetti, who visited in 1742, he wrote: "Casale modern age is the biggest, and most of all healthy Castle Marquis. The reason of health is not only a nearby water fountain good, as well as the favorable situation in a transport of high hill, and well ventilated. " In 1745 the inhabitants were 315.

In 1777, with the reforms of the Grand Duke Peter Leopold, began the process of land redistribution and, consequently, their centralization in the hands of some new wealthy families: Casale emerged in the names of the Chancellors, the Sparapani, the Werewolves and Marchionneschi, which as a result have held power in the town throughout the nineteenth century and into the first half of our century. The concentration of land and the spread of the system of sharecropping led to an increase and an improvement in agricultural production. In the nineteenth century was still raging malaria, there were no houses in the countryside, the wolves were so abundant that in 1810 a government decree freeing the hunting of wolves from any constraint, but the number of inhabitants in the country began to rise: they were 817 in 1833 and twenty years later, in 1854, amounted to 1,070 units in 1861, the number had risen to 1,174. The progressive reclamation of coastal marsh favored agricultural development.

In the second half of the nineteenth century the town underwent some major changes due to the increase of the population in 1854 was demolished to build the southern gateway to the Civic Tower with the clock, in 1872 began the construction of the new church, which involved the ' demolition of part of the wall and the old town hall to open a passage to the new road. The old church was converted into a town hall. The cemetery disappeared under the new bell tower, but already in 1855 it was opened a new cemetery on the road to Guardistallo. At the same time the village had grown even outside the walls and 900 was placed at the beginning of the Piazza del Popolo, then square Chancellors. The country assumed more or less its present appearance.

In 1862, Casale, until then known as "Farmhouse in Maremma", took the name of "House of VaI di Cecina" from 1900 is called "Casale Maritime." In 1936 the number of inhabitants has reached the maximum limit of 1,583, but in the 50s began the process of migration to cities in the plains that were rapidly developing and guaranteed secure jobs, scheduled times lighter work of those requests to the tenant in the country.

In the early 60's the phenomenon of the earth was at its peak and the system of sharecropping was disappearing. Especially young people, they settled in the plains or migrated to the cities of northern Italy.

In 1971 the number of inhabitants had fallen to 837. The risk of becoming an "old country" was mitigated only by the fact that many inhabitants risanavano, with the money earned outside the houses of the village, accompanied by modern comforts.

Today Casale has 914 inhabitants. The economy is primarily agricultural and produce wine, olive oil and cereals, there are also a company of beekeeping, a laboratory of furs and other commercial services and dining options. The appearance of the medieval town is well preserved and awareness for the historical values ​​has meant that some modernization of the 60s have been removed, such as coverage of streets in the asphalt that was removed in 1989 by rediscovering the old paved with sandstone .

 

Taken from the Guide to the Val di Cecina, curated by Susanne Mordhorst, New Image Publishing

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Castagneto Carducci, a small village once surrounded by walls, is located on top of a hill, dominated by the Castle of the Counts of Gherardesca. The city center is developed in a pattern of concentric rings that result in a set of streets, alleys and squares that show in the past, of which we can still find some old testimonies. Castagneto, which also includes the towns of Bolgheri, Marina di Donoratico Donoratico and brings together in its territory a wide variety of natural environments: the beach, the pine forests of the coast, the areas that are reminiscent of the ancient Maremma, the countryside dotted with villas, the farms and houses, the hills by the shapes and colors typical Tuscan cuisine, the ancient alleys of the country.

The first historical evidence of Castellina start with a household Etrusco Salivolpi place on the hill where there are currently visible an artesian well and the remains of the wall of the settlement. The nearby mound of Mount Calvary with four chamber tombs prepared to cross to the cardinal points, endorse the idea of ​​the importance of the site in the seventh and sixth centuries BC .

Relevant entities of the necropolis of Poggino in Fonterutoli brought to light a few years ago by the local Archaeological Group. The village of Castellina, in the current lease, has probably of Roman origin, but seems lost over the centuries, to the importance strategic - military had in the Middle Ages. The story of the Castellina Trebbiesi century, the name given by the nobles of Trebbio the coterie of the Counts Guidi, owners of a nearby castle whose remains are visible from Badiola labile. In the twelfth century it became an important military stronghold of Florence, situated on the border between the states of Florence and Siena. The main center of the 'old with the League of Chianti Radda and Gaiole in the thirteenth century later, in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries Castellina is the scene of raids and attacks by the state of Siena. These events forced the Florentines to be put in place continuous restructuring and reinforcement of the walls entrusting the supervision of works by famous architects such as Filippo Brunelleschi.

In 1478, while Florence is at war because of the conspiracy of the Pazzi, in Castellina is sent Giuliano da Sangallo restore strong defense structures: in this episode there is a comprehensive chronicle in the "Lives" by Vasari. Baldassare Castiglione in his "Courier" instead describes a siege of forty days by the Duke of Calabria, opponent Medici, where they were used as the artiglieriedell'epoca bombards, catapults and projectiles "medicated" capable of causing epidemics and plagues. After the end of the war back to Castellina Florentine Medici in 1483. In the sixteenth century, the country lost its strategic importance. The war between Siena and Florence is finished and in the unification of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany Cosimo I de 'Medici transforms the old military outpost in rural center structured according to the canons of the farm as sharecroppers. In 1865 he founded the town of Castellina and its headquarters were moved in 1927 in the restored medieval fortress of the town square. The Second World War saw the country scene of the passage of the front. The bombing destroyed the ancient Porta Fiorentina at the extreme north of Via Ferruccio and the adjacent parish church was seriously damaged facade and bell tower are rebuilt and modified in its present form at the end of the conflict

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The Etruscan Coast, its hills, its headlands, are the places where you can find Castiglioncello, suspended between the white beaches, cliffs carved by the wind, medieval villages, bays, creeks and hills of the Mediterranean. On the beach you are in the shade of the pines, junipers accompany you from the rocks, the oaks are just a step away from the sea.

Between sea and nature in short, winding path that leads to small architectural treasures, artistic, kept between the folds of this beloved land by the Etruscans who have littered with important evidence.

Castiglioncello is the pearl of the Etruscan Coast, an enchanted rediscovered over the centuries, even after the Etruscans, Romans, by noble Florentines in the Medieval Age, politicians of all the 900, by poets which D'Annunzio is the most known as Great directors, actors, writers and so forth.

The '50s and '60s saw Castiglioncello protagonist of the first order of the phenomena of renewal mundane and customs of our Italian, important films of our cinematic history were here the first stirrings, there is the famous character in those years has not passed for Castiglioncello. I deliberately postponed the presence of Painters Macchiaioli, the Impressionists Italian, that from the second half of 1800 attended continuously witnessed by the works named this promontory in Castiglioncello, coming to give life to the School of Painting in Castiglioncello. Not by chance Castiglioncello lent itself to provide the basis of observation of those Mediterranean colors-Tuscan Italian Impressionism was trying to customize taking the cue from the bottom of the main European schools.

 

A part of the deal which Painters Macchiaioli Edward Borrani, Giovanni Costa, Giovanni Fattori, Signorini, Giuseppe Abbati, Vincenzo Cabianca, Peter Sense, Ugo Manaresi, Adolfo Tommasi, Vittorio Corcos, Alfredo Muller, John Bartolena, because their work is of such vital for Italian painting, requiring a large chapter.

Castiglioncello is still more than before and also art, entertainment, culture, Castiglioncello Festival lasts almost all year round and is in charge of maintaining ARMUNIA always on this hotbed of theater, music, debate on the big issues of Philosophy, Semiotics, Infants Education, Literature, Sculpture. The Etruscan Coast, Castiglioncello, a place, a place where life can still afford to move more slowly than elsewhere. The medieval villages, set against the rolling hills and rich in a thousand-year history, they have cobbled streets, churches, libraries, towered palaces, churches and castles, which are reviving a past time that seems so close here. At their feet the sea which is the heart of the Etruscan Coast and that is your constant companion. He lives in the history of this area, in its landscapes, sunsets colors and perfumes the air.

 

It 'a sea alive and vital, populated by wildlife pregiata.Le beaches come in the pine forests and groves of lime trees and tamarisk, whose aromas perfume the air and mingle with the smell of salt.

And the Mediterranean, with the afternoon after that go to the beach is nearly touching the crystal clear sea.

All the beauty is at a stone's throw away, the oasis of Bolgheri and Magona, and the hills of Livorno, protected areas, wildlife refuges populated by rare and precious species, a campaign full of colors and scents: Coast of the Etruscans nature, salvagurdata and protected, not only setting, but the essence of this land.

 

Olive groves, holm oaks and cork oaks, chestnut trees, are crossed by paths that lead to embroidery villages,

ancient monuments, but also to the city of Pisa, Volterra, San Gimignano, Siena, Arezzo, Florence, and then to hamlets such as Bolgheri, Bibbona, Donoratico, Massa Marittima, Calci.

In the fertile countryside, which stretches from the sea to the hill slopes, unravels the wine road, illuminated by the sun filtering through the trees and shines the vineyards, a journey of the senses and the soul.

E 'in Bolgheri which was founded in 1970, Sassicaia, not just a wine but one of the legends of the world.

In just twenty years in this area there has been a boom in the production of wine of excellent quality.

That area was marginal throughout the long range of hills between Castiglioncello Piombino, has become the place of the apotheosis of Italian wine, taking in tow all the other products of this land, honey, extra virgin olive oil.

 

And in this land of the Maremma, where there are three names for the Wine of Origin (Montescudaio - Bolgheri - Val Di Cornia), gastronomy is an ancient art that finds nourishment in the quality of local products and in the imagination of cooks, giving rise to real places of worship for gourmets from all over the world to rediscover the flavors and tastes forgotten

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Despite Cecina is a small town rather recently, on its territory have been unearthed ancient artifacts from various eras (the Palaeolithic, the Etruscan, Roman), whose testimonies can be admired in the eighteenth-century villa of the "Fifty" a museum of Etruscan-Roman and an ethnographic museum easily accessible through an avenue there joins the sea at San Pietro in Palazzi. Of particular historical interest is all that remains of the Roman villa of San Vincenzino. On the remains of this villa, where you can see the foundations, mosaics and an underground cistern, stands a villa with its interesting archaeological exhibitions

 

The tree belt that extends north and south of Marina di Cecina, between Vada and Bibbona, and occupies a total area of ​​400 acres stretching along the coast for more than 15 km, is the Biogenetic Nature Reserve Tomboli Cecina . This important botanical complex owes its birth to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Leopold II, who in 1839 ordered its creation to complete the reclamation of the swamp that stretched around the Cecina River.

Between the sea and the pine forests from Vada to Bibbona

From the center of Vada we head towards the resort area, but shortly before reaching it, turn left on the paved road that runs not far dall'arenile. Continue this for about 3 miles until you reach the paved road to Mill Fire. On this turn right shortly after coming to a clearing. Here, take Forest Road, a nice track closed to cars by rail that goes into the pine forest. After about 1 km paved and leads the way back, after overcoming a barrier, to cross another road on which you turn right coming to the beach. Keeping along the margins of the latter, you ride hard until you find, on the left, an opening specially crafted application that allows you to regain access to the pine forest. This goes completely crossed keeping as much as possible parallel to the coast line up to meet the asphalt road, on the right, go over bridge to overcome the Cecina River entering in Marina di Cecina.

From the bridge, turn left, you can reach Cecina, village built near the mouth of the river. The town was born in the nineteenth century, when the whole area was reclaimed from the marshes that once characterized much of the coast of Tuscany and Lazio. In the old town is definitely worth a visit to the villa Cinquantina, home of the Etruscan-Roman museum.

Who does not want to reach Cecina, immediately after the bridge turn right and cross the road coming Cecina Mare seafront. Follow it towards Bibbona until the road, come to the edge of town does not make a sharp left turn heading towards the pine forest. At this point we leave the asphalt road to the right to take a dirt road that is also in the pine forest rincrociando, shortly after, the asphalt. On this, turn right and after 100 meters you find, always to the right, a big wooden gate with a side opening for the passage of pedestrians and cyclists. Past the gate you enter the beautiful Biogenetic Reserve of Tombolos of Cecina, in the pine forest that has its strong point. He begins to walk a wide dirt track that shortly after arriving at the starting point of several hiking trails.

In the southern part of the Pineta di Cecina, in addition to some rest areas have been set up some routes marked with stamps of different colors depending on the length (these are also frequented by hikers, so caution is advised). The wooden arrows to follow are the ones with the green stamp, arrows soon to invite you to abandon the cart to turn right on a beautiful trail made from soft pine needles.

Gradually you get closer to the sea thus arriving to the area with interesting coastal dunes. Coastal dunes are colonized sandy undulations and, in practice, cemented by herbaceous vegetation resistant to salt. The dunes are a real rarity for Italian shores since the tourist facilities have resulted in, a large part of the Tyrrhenian coast, the disappearance of this natural protective barrier.

Always follow the green arrows after about 6.5 km you will reach the limits of the pine trees, close to Marina di Bibbona. Near the village of Marina di Bibbona, a few meters from the shore, you can admire the imposing fort of Bibbona, built in Medicean. Pedalling along the beach then you can observe interesting specimens of Phoenician juniper and swamps formed along the estuary of the pit Camilla.

At this point you can begin your journey back to Marina di Cecina, the path that runs along the easy track which passes completely through the pine forest. In this way you can from the gate that gives access to the pine forest, and Marina di Cecina and back across the bridge over the Cecina. From here on, just follow the asphalt to return to Vada.

The Roman villa of S. Vincenzino in Cecina.

 

Along the coast of 'northern Etruria, in what was once the territory of Volterra, numerous villas were built in Roman times, chosen as the residence with attached bottom, by the characters of illustrious rank.

This is the case of the Roman villa of S. Vincenzino. The archaeological complex, located on a natural relief of the land, near the modern town of Cecina, and skirted to the north by the river of the same name, not far from its outlet to the sea, while behind him ran the coastal road that connected Rome to Pisa and Liguria.

Known since the eighteenth century, it is traditionally attributed to the property of Albino Cecina, a member of the noble family of Volterra Caecina, who was praefectus urbi in 415 AD, based on the account of the journey of the Latin poet Rutilius Namaziano that here he found shelter and hospitality.

If you can not confirm the attribution to the owner, which now marks the place name in ancient maps and pilot books, often called "Villa Albini," there is no doubt that it is a building of considerable importance, divided into sectors different destination, which experienced subsequent amendments of use in the large historical period in which he lived (from the first century BC to the fifth century AD).

The first plant building, built on the model of urban villa with rooms spread over porch areas and gardens, was built in conjunction with the large water system consists of a large underground cistern that was used to supply the villa, exceptional complex still intact and can be visited, which extends in a series of tunnels equipped with a system for filtering and purifying water. In connection with the surface structures, a series of wells annular allowed to draw water.

Definitely added in the imperial era advanced (II-III century AD) are other buildings, such as the Terme district, consisting of the canonical series of rooms intended for bathrooms are accented with a remarkable architectural and sculptural decoration, and the big summer triclinium with nymph not served by the water system original. In this context, stands the discovery of a headless statue, in very fine alabaster representation of Isis.

At a later stage (III century AD.) Then a belongs to a productive sector for the pressing of the olives, which are the remains of the mill and a millstone, and structures for the processing of oil, which obliterates part of the environments of residence of the villa. Much of the archaeological remains and the complex can now be visited in the area of ​​the tank are arranged Park.

 

Quick guide for the search of its solutions for holidays in Cecina.

 

Those who approach the idea of ​​spending his holidays in Cecina will need to consult a guide to find hotels Hotels Cecina Cecina Cecina or Hotels.

 

The Italianists prefer to look for hotels or hotels on the Tuscan coast in Tuscany.

 

For those in search of the substance and a room can be enough rooms or rooms holiday accommodation Tuscany Coast Tuscany or even rooms for rent Tuscany should be appropriate search terms as well as rooms Cecina.

 

It should however consider that Cecina is situated on the Etruscan Coast, which is in fact in Tuscany sea, and the Coast Tuscany is unique in the world.

Then refer to the Help in the Tuscan coast hotels will be well oriented to the voice holidays Tuscan coast and search for hotels in the fen or, if you prefer, hotels Tuscany Coast.

 

Given that in recent years tourism has largely shown a preference for solutions besides housing type hotel, residences Cecina, Cecina holiday apartments, holiday apartments in the Tuscan coastline, have become frequent rumors of research on texts related tourism guide the Tuscan coast.

 

The search for residence on the Tuscan Coast could be profitable since the topic is more general summer holiday in Tuscany, apartments for rent, seaside tuscany, holidays on the sea.

 

It is not to be neglected even the search for rooms Donoratico, after all we are talking about Tuscany Italy, holiday apartment Tuscany, someone with more economic means looking Cecina villa or villa rentals Tuscany coast Cecina.

 

Then there is the chapter of the holiday apartment very popular among couples and even by couples with a baby. Studios for rent Tuscany is therefore a search term very profitable, as well as studios or studio Cecina Tuscany holidays.

 

For those who opted for a specific area such as the Etruscan Coast Cecina or in a particular way, it will be well to remember that the search terms to be extended in Cecina studios besides vacation rental Tuscany Tuscany or even sea or farm Cecina

 

It is also for this second chapter as previously said about the Etruscan Coast, then in reading pamphlets about Cecina or even where to sleep only to be sought in Tuscany or type the entries Donoratico residences, apartments Cecina, hotels or even Cecina Cecina hotels.

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Florence, city of art par excellence, born in Florence great names such as Dante, Boccaccio, Machiavelli and Galileo Galilei. Florence has also been graced by the works of Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Botticelli, Donatello and Giotto.

Anyone visiting Florence is never left disappointed! This is due to a cultural and artistic heritage almost unique in Europe and in the world, which has its base in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in its heyday. Florence, along with Rome, are the history of our civilization. In Florence, in the fifteenth century, were postte the basics to revive art and culture. Here, thanks to writers such as Dante, Petrarch, and Machiavelli was born the Italian culture and language. Artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo and Donatello made one of the artistic capitals of the world.

 

SOME 'OF HISTORY

 

Florence was founded in 59 BC by the Romans, who named Florentia.Si note the "cardo maximus" in the current Via Strozzi, Via degli Speziali and Via del Corso, and the "decumanus" Calimala in the street, Via Roma, Via Por Santa Maria . In the Piazza della Repubblica was the Forum. During the imperial period the city saw increasing its wealth, became a shopping center where there were craftsmen in the workshops, which then make the famous Florence. During the barbarian invasions, the city suffered many sieges by the Ostrogoths, the Byzantines and the Goths of Totila. Since the invasion of the Lombards at the first mention of a Duke in the city, the people gathered around the Bishops, in fact at that time they build monasteries, which became centers of culture and business. It was conquered by the Lombards in the sixth century, and only later the city emerged from the mists of the Middle Ages as a city-state indipendente.Quando the Lombards were defeated by the Franks, the Duke was replaced by Count. The Counts were succeeded by the Marquis, one should remember the admiration of the people of Florence for the Countess Matilda in 1085 that armed himself against Henry IV, and guaranteed to the town half a century of wise policy. He reached the highest heights of splendor between the eleventh and fifteenth centuries, becoming one of the major centers of power in Italy, a balance between the authority of the Emperors and Popes, overcoming the problems of internal fighting between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. In the fifteenth century Florence came under the rule of the Medici family, wealthy banking dynasty that later became the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. Florence and throughout Tuscany remained under the rule of the Medici family for three centuries. It was just that the heyday of the city, from the point of view of artistic, cultural, political and economic. The city grew in a frightening way. Painters, sculptors and architects filled streets, churches and buildings with the greatest works of the Renaissance. The Grand Duchy of the Medicis was succeeded, in the eighteenth century, that of Lorraine, until 1860, the year in which Tuscany became part of the Kingdom of Italy of which Florence was the capital from 1865 to 1871.

FLORENCE, 1000-1300

 

The city of Florence in the XI and XII expands and went to the south, on the right bank of the Arno. Over the river rose the first villages, and then in 1172 they built a second wall. Within the first wall, the urban fabric was very thick, consisting mainly of case-towers, however, between the first and second wall construction was much more sparse and regular, consisting of terraced houses. Between the twelfth and thirteenth century, the city increased its sales force, the core of this force is made by artisans, blacksmiths, shoemaker, of the goldsmiths, with particular development in the processing of wool. At the end of 1100 the city had reached its municipal autonomy. In the thirteenth century the government was made by the Consuls, with the help of Citizens Advice. Those who held power in the higher classes were chosen accordingly rivalry arose between the richest families. The families were brought together in alliances, this condition goes under the company name of the towers, the houses grew in height, if they became a fortress and by movable bridges, allied families, formed a system of towers easily defensible. The condition of the company town imposed an architecture of houses elongated vertically, with narrow openings, holes and brackets for the beams of the movable bridges. The discord between the major families became more and more severe until the formation of two parties, the Guelphs that loyal to the Pope hostile to the Emperor, and Ghibellines, loyal to the Emperor hostile to the Pope At first the Ghibellines had the upper hand, but the Their success was short and in 1250 the Guelphs returned to power. The City had a sort consists of the Signoria and the city enjoyed a period of great prosperity. In this period, the treaties of alliance with Lucca, Siena, Arezzo and purchases of Volterra, San Gimignano, Poggibonsi. All this wealth did rekindle the conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, and after a short period of Ghibelline domain, the Guelphs resumed power and finally claimed their rule over the city. Great importance was divided into major and minor guilds, among the major arts were the Arte della Lana, that of Calimala, one of the Judges and Notaries, Physicians and Apothecaries, which brought wealth and prosperity in the city. At the end of the thirteenth century, is defined as the political and religious center of the city, with the construction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Palazzo Vecchio. The triumph of the people, also led to the triumph of his tongue "vulgar", which is stated as written and spoken language, because of all the dialects was the most harmonious. With the wealth was the desire to make the city more beautiful, have the first Florentine personalities such as Cimabue, Gaddo Gaddi for painting, Arnolfo di Cambio for sculpture, and announced the genius of Dante and Giotto. There is a plethora of churches: S. Michele Visdomini, SS. Apostles, St. Nicholas, Santa Margherita Sopr'Arno, which will be added to the Baptistery and the church of Santa Reparata.

Florence, 1300-1400

 

In the first half of the fourteenth century there are very important events for the social and economic life of Florence. Under the pressure of the growth phase, there were many plants of new towns, in fact the Walled Terre Florence, were intended to support the choices of the local political formations, taking the leadership. At the beginning of the century the urban fabric of the city and the development lines developed in the previous century do not undergo modifications background. L 'last walls began in 1248, was completed in 1333, the circle included the towns and new industrial, religious, that were formed outside the doors of some of the existing roof, near the main road axes. Some of the new poles were born to the action carried out by various mendicant orders (Carmelites, Franciscans). These were orders from time settled in the vicinity of the previous circle, along the main routes: Via Romana, the paths towards the Valdarno, the way to the area of ​​Prato - Pistoia, the way to Mugello and passes towards Bologna. In addition to these settlements along the circle you had settlements of a patrician, who had created important changes in the urban fabric. Then you notice a rise of new building types. The phenomenon was due especially to the richest families, who had strong interests in the countryside. Other changes occur in the area within the ancient circle of 1078, particularly in the area around the market. These interventions require a readjustment of the city to the new functional requirements and especially the image. This century is characterized by different lines of transformation of the urban fabric. Large families were the protagonists of the aggregation properties of the building, and typological transformations. In these classes we owe the creation of hospitals, charitable religious. The rules were issued by the Judiciary and bodies of the Municipality, and took care of the line referred to the initiatives of the public, so the places intended for public representation and the city's infrastructure. Another line of transformation was that of the new building initiatives, the promoters were generally religious bodies or other corporations, such as the Arts The building type was that of houses arranged next to each other, located on lots with front road greatly reduced. The Florence of this century was renewed with respect to the thirteenth century, but the pattern of operation was always the same. The urban fabric was configured according to a hierarchical conception and in its parts, which in its functions, and then reflected the hierarchical structure of the institutions of the time. After that was completed last walls, the territory was divided into four districts, each district was divided into four banners. In the oldest, the one around the Old Market, there were the residences and shops of many ancient families, as well as major political offices. In particular, had settled the premises of the Arts principal. This is then presented as a very saturated, characterized by a street fabric minute, and a housing very thickened. In the confined space of the oldest part of the city, were opposed to the squares around the Cathedral and the Baptistery. A fabric was more contrasted between the band occupied by the penultimate circle and the circuit last circle. In this area the plot very dense houses and small shops, were the great monastic buildings or religious mendicant orders of the Franciscans and Dominicans. The towers were frequent in this part of town, some of which were incorporated in other buildings. In correspondence with small squares were the Lodges who welcomed meetings, becoming a standard in the relations of Florentine life. In the center of the city there were many construction sites, aimed at creating works of prestige, because continuing the work of the Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore), where it works is that the Talents Giotto, the Campanile of the Cathedral. Next to the cathedral were built, the church of Orsanmichele, the Loggia del Bigallo, working at the Loggia del Mercato, the Loggia dei Lanzi was redone the Dominican church of Santa Maria Novella, and the Franciscan Santa Croce, Palazzo del Podesta (the Bargello), the system Piazza Signoria. It also worked to Carraia Bridge and Old Bridge (rebuilt in 1345). An important feature was that the presence of shops on the bridges (now remained only on Ponte Vecchio). The work of architectural renovation of the city, were assigned to Arnolfo di Cambio, thanks to him the Gothic style, popular in Europe by the Order Cluniac, acquires a balanced character, mediating with the Romanesque style manages to get in buildings, both civil and religious, an example of Gothic solemn, with bursts of content and harmonious. The city was splitting into two distinct parts: a more centrally located to the north of the river, the other outer lying around the first. The course of the Arno functioned as the backbone for the whole city, in fact there were excavations river, mills, fulling mills, was also an important source to pick up gravel and sand for construction. The clear articulation between parts of the city not to be found in the distribution of classes in the urban fabric of the city. The upper classes were not above the contact with the subordinate classes, the social fabric was mixed, next to the palace of the noble was flanked by the workshops, the craftsmen's workshops. At the end of the century we are increasingly close links between the citizens of Florence and the countryside. The landscape is modified by the interest of its citizens to invest in residences outside the city and the landscape takes on the appearance built and designed that has so captured the imagination of visitors.

FLORENCE, 1400

 

The fifteenth century is for the city of Florence, a moment of recovery, both economic and cultural. The glory that you have given life to these new impulses, which then express the concept of rebirth, renewal of art, which will give birth to the Renaissance, goes all the city, which becomes the focus of this cultural movement. The Renaissance since its first phase of training, around the beginning of the fifteenth century, develops new issues, approaching the ancient with the spirit of innovation. The movement appears to be closely connected with the new Florentine merchant class, and just the new class, consisting of the families of the Picts, the Rucellai, the Medici, Strozzi, become promoters of the new culture and the new architectural taste. The Medici family, first with Cosimo the Elder, then with Lorenzo the Magnificent, he collaborates with artists, philosophers, studying fervently that the real debug a conception of 'man that expresses the desires of the new Signoria. As part of the culture of the Florentine Renaissance, Cosimo the Elder, who was the head of this great renewal movement, protecting the artists, encourages building initiatives and artistic useful to the city. In his dwellings met the Platonic Academy, Cosimo and after him Giuliano and Lorenzo were an active part in the debates, discussing good governance and art. Great fervor took place in the literary field, with Poggio Bracciolini, Coluccio Salutati, in philosophy, with Marsilio Ficino renewing the Platonic Academy at Careggi, we find in the architecture, Filippo Brunelleschi, followed by Michelozzo Michelozzo, Leon Battista Alberti, Bernardo Rossellini , Giuliano da Majano, Giuliano da San Gallo. Stimulation of this of this work is the study of 'art, culture and the Greek and Roman philosophy, studied scientifically. The artist will use traditional techniques, with a new consciousness, trying to deepen the investigation into the nature of reality and then the Renaissance artist, following this path, it works by combining the art scientific knowledge, which becomes common matrix , from which the artist can not be separated. Nature and art, they become two important factors, the knowledge of reality presupposes the study and knowledge of new media, the artist will be in perspective, perspective, which becomes an instrument of knowledge to measure and reproduce reality. These new studies will give splendid results in the fields of painting and sculpture, and will form the basis of the greatest works of painting, architecture and sculpture. In architecture the new studies are answered in the work of Brunelleschi, Donatello and Masaccio with, a key figure of the Florentine Renaissance. His masterpiece is the dome of St. Maria del Fiore, which summarizes its activities in a comprehensive manner. In addition to the Dome, working at the Ospedale degli Innocent, the Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo, around 1423, the Church of San Lorenzo, the church of S. Spirit in 1436. Between 1429 and 1443, directed the work of the Pazzi Chapel, Brunelleschi was the creator of the classic Renaissance palace in Florence, Palazzo Pitti is an example. The new mercantile society, is revealed in the elegant and robust architecture of the mansion. We have initiatives of groups fixing power in areas not central residences, too, for the greater ease of finding areas in the outer zones of the fabric of the city. You therefore have important consequences for urban planning, projected towards the affirmation of the desire of the leadership group, and enter the phase involving the new types of Renaissance palaces. The buildings that are built tend to define a type of regular building, with a square plan, an inner courtyard with columns. Palazzo Medici, Palazzo Pitti, Palazzo Strozzi, Rucellai Palace, are the new buildings that reflect the assertion of the wealth and power of the leading Florentine families.

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The second of the "Three common", located on the crest of a spine running parallel to the sea. And 'animated by lively activities and village has a theater of the last century. In the older part still shows traces of the earthquake of 1846.

The name Guardistallo before Gualdistallo is of undoubted Lombard origin. The first human settlements, documented by archaeological finds, have been traced back to the prehistoric period. Finds axes and knives of stone and bronze, burials took place according to the rite of interment in a crouched position, testify to a human presence Guardistallo 4-5 thousand years before Christ. The finds are in the prehistoric section of the Archaeological Museum of Florence.

The castle of Guardistallo was under the dominion of the Counts of Gherardesca, branch Montescudaio, about the year one thousand until the fall of the Republic of Pisa in Florence in 1406, when it became a municipality. The statutes were drawn up together with those of Montescudaio and earned for both countries, many magistrates were unique. In 1447, like many other castles of the Val di Cecina, was occupied by the troops of Alfonso of Aragon, King of Naples, which destroyed most of the houses and buildings. However, remained standing in the keep of the castle of Auditors, which was shot down only by the earthquake of 1846.

Missing news on the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, we only know that in 1551 Guardistallo had 428 inhabitants.

In 1739 the territory was incorporated in the estate of the Marquis Carlo Ginori composed of the territories of Cecina, Riparbclla, Farmhouse and part of Bibbona.In those years from the coastal plain spread malaria that made many victims, including in countries hills and thick woods that prevented ventilation contributed to aggravate the situation. In 1742, the Targioni Tozzetti visited the country and described it thus: "Guardistallo was already huge castle, but today has suffered a lot and there are many ruins [...]. Has the nearby woods and has very good water. He is, however, true that anyone who does not have to beat the plain in the Summer, you bell and very healthy. "From the coastal plain in fact spread malaria that made many victims, including in countries hills and thick woods that prevented the ventilation were aggravating the disease. In 1745 Guardistallo had 415 inhabitants and was not increased compared to 200 years ago, but even that had suffered sharp decline of the population that is found in many other towns in the area at this time.

After the dissolution of the feudal system and the redistribution of land in the sphere of agrarian reform Leopoldina is also formed in Guardistallo, starting from 1776, a new class of wealthy landowners who favored the development of agriculture and subsequent growth of the country in Guardistallo 1833 had 1,140 inhabitants.

On 14 August 1846 the countries of the Tuscan coast were struck by a violent earthquake that struck in a few moments houses, palaces, churches and towers. Much of the medieval castles in the area between Casale, Volterra and Pisa was destroyed on that occasion. Guardistallo, along with Orciano VaI in Tora, was the country that reported the most damage. 70% of homes were destroyed and part of the castle, the highest in the country, was completely ruined: the keep of the castle with surrounding homes, the church with the bell tower and the cemetery were reduced to a pile of rubble. 117 families were left homeless.

In his book Story of Tremoto, published in Pisa in the same 1846 Leopoldo Pilla describes the situation of the country: "When you say that the earthquake of 14 August reduced the country of Guardistallo into a heap of ruins, nothing left to add. Not a house, not a roof was almost saved by the whirlwind that art does not demolish. [...) And yet, in the midst of such upheaval, among many extended mine that country does not matter that the death of an only child. Amazing what! [...] The huts were badly costrutte from top to bottom nabissate. [...] The (Franceschi home) had all the boxes in front of the wall collapsed and strapiombato in its upper part in a frightful manner, but standing. [...] A young man gave Guardistallo have proof of great courage in the occasion that you had appuntellare that wall to prevent its fall to finish smashing the neighboring houses.

After the earthquake there is a phase of reconstruction and expansion of the country. In 1870 the new church was built on the side of the town facing the sea and almost contemporary is the construction of Villa Elena, residential house of Marchionneschi, one of the most important families of Guardistallo. In 1883 they built the Marchionneschi even a theater, a place of recreation for the rich families of the district and the expression of their wealth. E 'with reference to these times and reminder of the elegance of the life of his lords, that Guardistallo was also called "the little Paris" and its inhabitants were known as "Longstocking".

At the end of World War II, in 1944, the retreating German army put in place a fierce retaliation in response to guerrilla actions that took place in the area. Sixty-three people, including women, boys, many of the displaced and the mayor, elected just the day before, were captured, brought out of the country and shot. A second massacre of another 120 people were prevented at the last moment only by the courageous intervention of the parish priest, Don Bunch Rafanelli. The site of the massacre, along the road to Cecina, is marked by a memorial and the day of the massacre, on June 29, is commemorated every year with a procession. Ever since the war the number of the inhabitants of Guardistallo is declining and the last census fell below the threshold of 1,000: 936 souls from country to campaign against 1,002 in 1981.Oggi the country is geared mainly towards tourism.

 

Taken from the Guide to the Val di Cecina, curated by Susanne Mordhorst, New Image Publishing

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Follonica is a beautiful seaside town in the province of Grosseto, overlooking the magnificent sea of Tuscany.

Famous for good hospitality and its sandy beach, combining the good liveliness of the town with the pure sea, named Blue Flag for several consecutive years.

 

The reception is based on a number of Hotels, Residences, Apartments and Bed and Breakfast.

Particularly popular with families for the tranquility of the place and the sea is always calm and goes down very slowly.

 

source : www.follonica.com

From the origins to the Medici.

The first historical evidence relating to Licorno dates from the ninth century, when the settlement was nothing more than a fraction of the Port Pisano.Il Its development began in the late thirteenth century, when, with the statutes of Pisa in 1284, it was determined that the captain the port had to live in Livorno.Gli same statutes, in order to populate the harbor village, They arranged for special customs facilities and privileges to all those who, within the next ten years, they decided to establish his residence and activities Livorno.Ma August 1284 Pisa and Livorno were attacked by the Genoese and Lucca, which arrecarono a lot of damage to the towers and castle Livorno.Siglata peace in 1299, began the reconstruction period, which culminated with the fortification of the port of Livorno. Inextricably bound to Pisa, Livorno suffered the same sorti.In following the killing of Peter Gambacorta in 1392, lord of Pisa from 1370, the city and its port passed for several years under the rule of the Duke of Milan Gian Galeazzo Visconti. Pisa was able to rebel against the dominion of the Visconti in 1405, but the following year it had to surrender to a new enemy: Firenze.Livorno in the meantime had passed under the government of Genoa, which lasted until 1421, when the Genoese decided to consent to repeated request of Florence to buy Livorno.Il Doge Tommaso Fregoso, being in need of money to defend the Republic of Genoa from the Milanese, revenges Livorno to Florence in June 1421 for 100,000 gold florins. To purchase the Florentine Republic Livorno meant to have a port of its own for those international trade for which Florence had long famosa.Esattamente as he had done in 1284, Pisa, Florence also decided to facilitate the population of Livorno.Molti Florentine artisans settled there to build galleys desired by the republic for the transport of goods.

1200 florins a year were allocated for the construction of a jail every six mesi.La Republic also decided to keep in Livorno a series of tax breaks to allow the development of the port city which later silting of the port of Pisa soon became the first port of call is the Toscana.Ma with the ascent to power of the Medici that the history of Livorno lived a real svolta.Già the beginning of the sixteenth century, Cardinal Giulio de 'Medici, then ascended to the papal throne in 1523 with the the name of Pope Clement VII, commanded by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder design for a fortress difensiva.Non are certain the dates of construction of what is now called the Old Fort, according to some historical fact, the defensive building was erected between 1521 and 1524, while according to others the work continued until after the 1530.E 'instead sure Sangallo fortress incorporated into some existing structures like the tower of Matilde and the "quadrature of Pisa."

 

Livorno under the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

The first Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo I, in 1548 issued a law with which was granted to any person who decides to settle in Livorno, the cancellation of any debt incurred in precedenza.La law meant that by the mid-sixteenth century Livorno began to learn about the phenomenon of immigration destined to become more and more consistent with the laws of the 1593.Cosimo I also ordered Giorgio Vasari, a project for the construction of the new pier, and in the meantime he thought to further fortify the city continued to grow in importance . Once dead Cosimo I, his son Francis, he continued the work, addressing the architect Bernardo Buontalenti for the design of a new Livorno, a sort of fortress city with the Cathedral at its March 28, 1577 centro.Il the same Francis I , during a solemn ceremony, laid the foundation stone of the new walls of the Medici Grand Duke Livorno.Il that more than others, however, tied its name from the city of Livorno was Ferdinand I, brother of Francis I and came to power in 1587. It was in fact ordered to Realize the project Buontalenti. Livorno therefore became a city with strong walls surrounded by a waterway, full of palaces, warehouses, barracks and other dogane.Un waterway joined Livorno Pisa.Ma what most of all contributed to the rapid development of the port city was the publication. June 10 of 1593, the famous "read Livornine" in favor of the merchants of every place and every religione.In practice it was a real indulgence with which he favored the

Population of the city, giving political asylum to all those who wished to settle in Livorno and open up a business. Law favored especially the Jews, who landed in the Tuscan port a bit 'from all countries Europei.Nel 1606, three years before death, Ferdinand I wished to crown his work by raising the honor of Livorno city.The son of Ferdinand, Cosimo II, found itself to administer a city flourishing, full of artisans and merchants, where they crossed races and cultures very different between loro.Livorno, in the seventeenth century, was a rare example of coexistence among many peoples and at the end of 1700 had already become the second largest city in Tuscany with 80,000 inhabitants (Florence had 100,000). Under Cosimo II was made the Medici Port, and the city was declared a free port.

 

Livorno today.

With Cosimo II closes the period of maximum development of Livorno, which however continued to thrive seeing their commerci.Nessuno of the Grand Dukes later took it to the city customs privileges that had allowed the rapid evolution. With the annexation of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany to the Kingdom of Italy, Livorno underwent a new development, no longer linked only to the commercial port, but also to some industrial activities connected to it.

To shipyards slowly joined by other industrial activities (chemical, petrochemical, engineering, conservation of fish) that have now made Livorno a modern and very attivo.Anche tourist activity emerged in the late nineteenth century, transforming a station in Livorno much sought after and renowned seaside resort at the start of our secolo.La city experienced an important cultural season, inspired by writers such as

Marranos, and painters like Modigliani Factors and musicians such as Pietro Mascagni, all of birth Livorno.

The Second World War caused much damage to Livorno, who also knew how to recover through rapidità.Oggi the city has more than 170,000 inhabitants, and the province, which stretches all along the coastline, includes 20 Comuni.Ben five of the seven islands that make up the 'archipelago toscan0 are also in the province of Livorno: Gorgona, Capraia, Elba, Montecristo and Pianosa.

 

ART

Churches and palaces

The center of the ancient city designed by Buontalenti represented by Piazza Grande, which overlooks the cathedral dedicated to Saint Francis, and built between 1594 and 1606 and designed by Alessandro Pieroni.Il cathedral was later expanded during the bombing 1700.I World War II earned him considerable damage to the Cathedral of Livorno, which was then rebuilt along the lines originali.L 'interior has a Latin cross with a single nave, and there are precious works, such as the Assumption of Passignano and St. Francis receiving Child of Mary Empoli. To the right of the entrance you can admire the monument to the Marquis Marco Alessandro del Borro, the work of the Florentine artist Giovan Battista Foggini.Piazza Grande was completely rebuilt after the Second World War, and therefore the buildings surrounding it are all impression moderna.Dietro to the Grand Palace, which is located in front of the Duomo, opens wide the Town Hall with the Town Hall built in 1720 and designed by John Fantasia.All the 'interior of the building it has a fine painting of Sustermans, which portrays the Grand Duke Ferdinand II in the act of receiving the mercanti.Imboccando Via S. John arrives at the church of the same name originally from the thirteenth century and enlarged in 1624.Non far from the church of St. John the Baptist is the temple dedicated to Santa Caterina, which is also an eighteenth century work of John of fantasy within the coronation of the Virgin of Giorgio Vasari.Ancora to oggini must instead the design of the church of San Ferdinando, also called the spreader, built between 1707 and 1714.Senza doubt it is one of the most interesting churches in the city with beautiful works of Giovanni Baratta all ' interno.All 'corner between the Piazza Grande and Guerazzi is the palace of the call a beautiful building built in 1707 for use militari.Non far it meets the Costernino, ie the building where it was regulated water distribution. The Costernino is the work of neoclassical structure designed by Pasquale Poccianti in 1842.Pochi years before, between 1829 and 1832, the same Poccianti had achieved Cisternone, ie the reservoir of the aqueduct. Near the Cisternone is the Palazzo De Larderei school, built in neoclassical style in the well 18321850, industrialist De Larderei.

Just south of Livorno is the Shrine of Our Lady of Montenero, built in the sixteenth century on a hill instead of a pre-existing oratorio.Secondo to legend, in 1345, an image of the Virgin Mary came from the island Ardenza Eubea.L ' image was brought by some hermits on the hill and enclosed within a oratorio.Ben soon the fame of the miracles of Our Lady of Montenero spread along the Tyrrhenian coast, and the shrine became a place of pellegrinaggi.Alle walls of the sacristy are many votive testifying the cult that has grown over the centuries around the Madonna di Montenero.

 

The city Medici

The heart of the ancient city is the Cathedral, built by Bernardo Buontalenti at the center of the pentagon wall that surrounded the Livorno Rinascimento.Il the Royal Canal marks the ancient town in the south, while to the north-west and north-east are respectively the Old Fortress and the Fortress Nuova.Voluta by Duke Alessandro de 'Medici the Old Fortress was designed by Antonio da Sangallo.I works for the construction of the fortress began in 1531 and lasted until 1537.La fort has a perimeter wall of 500 three meters bastioni.Su one of the two portals of entry is the coat of arms of the Duke instead Alessandro.La New Fortress was built in 1590, under the Grand Duke Ferdinando I, the design of Giovanni de 'Medici, Vincenzo Bernardo Bonanni and Buontalenti.In Originally, the two forts were linked by a curtain that was torn down during the seventeenth century to make room for new neighborhoods of Venice and San Marco, the most characteristic città.Immediatamente south of the Old Fortress opens the Medici Port, with the old dock, Fortino's Sassaia and Molo Mediceo.Da latter reach the Tower of the light, erected the first time in the sixteenth century and destroyed during the War mondiale.La tower was rebuilt in 1955 according to the guidelines originarie.Alla its base are the remains of the hospital built by Francis I in 1582.

On the eastern side of the Old Dock-open piazza Giuseppe Micheli.E 'here that was erected in 1607 what later became the sculpture symbol of Livorno: the Monument to Ferdinand I, also known as the Four Mori.Si is a statue the Grand Duke in the uniform of the Knights of Santo Stefano sculpted by Giovanni Bandini and placed on a plinth around which there are four Moors in chains, to be cast by Pietro Tacca and added to the monument at a later tempo.I four Turkish slaves were merged with cannons taken from the Arabs and the Turks won by the soldiers of the Grand Duchy during the daring expedition in 1607 by Ferdinand I really wanted to conquer the city of Hippo.

 

I Macchiaioli and museum Giovanni Fattori.

Around the middle of last century, Florence was formed the most important and constructive work of the Italian artistic movement, that of Macchiaioli.La school macchiaioli was born in opposition and contrast academicism that had characterized the first half of the century with its "Historical paintings." The theory was the basis of this artistic movement was that of the "spot", which chronologically precedes the French impressionism and that in some respects there avvicina.I macchiaioli believed that the painter had to make exactly what the human eye perceives, ie colored patches of light and ombra.Il more representative of the movement of macchiaioli was the painter Giovanni Fattori, born in Livorno in 1825.E right in the most important exponent of the "stain" Livorno titled a museo.Il Civic Museum Giovanni Fattori located in the park of Villa Fabbricotti, in a building ottocentesca.Il museum houses a collection of paintings of factors including "Haystack, Oxen, Antignano, On the Beach, Red Tower, Lutteri Battle of San Martino, Mrs. Martelli, Portrait of the Wife. " The Museum possesses some ancient works such as the Madonna and Child attributed to Sandro Botticelli and the Crucifixion of Blacks by Bicci.

 

Museo Civico Giovanni Fattori

 

Villa Mimbelli

Via San Jacopo in Acquaviva

Phone 0586.808001 - 804847

The important collection of paintings by Giovanni Fattori and other Macchiaioli and post macchiaioli stored at Livorno - that was the birthplace of factors - has received a rational arrangement and a worthy place in the prestigious Villa Mimbelli.

In the beautiful rooms of the Villa, built in 1865 by architect Giuseppe Micheli and recently restored, the civic collection 'was rearranged according to a precise criteriostorico artistic and enriched by a new group of interesting works hitherto preserved in deposits.

Overall we were able to have on the three floors of the works so far villacecentotrentasei depositi.Oltre preserved in the paintings of factors, which are the most 'valuable riccae of the collection, the new Museum offers the public the chance and aglistudiosi' to appreciate famous and important operedi painters, such as, Silvestro Lega, Caesar and John Bartolena, the Tommasi, Vittorio Corcos, Michele Gordigiani, Leonetto Cappiello and others, that have characterized the artistic events italianea horse between eight hundred and nine hundred

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