Florence and Siena Private Tours Blog
The Seggiola Madonna by Raphael Sanzio, the painter of ‘happiness’
Raphael, the 'easiness' painter Making that a difficult thing seem simple implies that there is even a more difficult job behind it. I must admit that for a long time Raphael appeared to me as a banal artist, interpreter of an 'easiness' and an immediacy that showed...
The secrets of a Renaissance painting in the core of Florence
A Renaissance painting in an ancient church in the heart of Florence It seems rather unlikely that in the core of Florence, in a street frequented mainly by tourists attracted by the great fashion brandsstores of , there is a large Renaissance painting. This is what...
Discovering the hidden Porta del Paradiso in Florence
The Porta del Paradiso is a bronze door made by Lorenzo Ghiberti in Florence. This great masterpiece was made by the great sculptor and goldsmith Lorenzo Ghiberti in the first half of the fifteenth century. This door is in bronze and is located on the east side of the Florentine Baptistery and what it represents is the Old Testament Stories…
New Veneto’s painters Rooms to visit at the Uffizi Gallery
A new experience of visiting the Uffizi A visit to the Uffizi Gallery now becomes a more complete experience thanks to the new layout of the Rooms dedicated to the sixteenth century Veneto's painters. It is a nucleus of works - those of the Florentine museum - which,...
Commemorating the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death
The Leonardo's 500th Anniversary 500 years ago, on May 2 1519, Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest geniuses in humankind history, died in Amboise, France. It’s hard to enclose in a single definition the greatness of a personality like Leonardo Da Vinci. I want...
The must-see things to discover in Florence in one day
What to see in one day in Florence Among the cities of art to visit in Italy for the holidays, Florence is always a destination that stands out for its great charm. However, the many monuments and places to visit in the town of Giglio are so many and all worthy of...
The Adoration, the unknown masterpiece of Sant’Agostino in Siena
The Adoration of Shepherds, an unknown masterpiece The Adoration of the Shepherds is an unknown masterpiece in a city like Siena where often it's taxing to appreciate the extraordinary and varied artistic heritage preserved. Here it happens that some works - also due...
The original Christmas gifts to buy in Siena
The original Christmas gifts you can buy Christmas is coming, but you still have to complete your purchases because you still need to buy some gifts for some relatives or friends? You know, this is the problem that many people are faced with and have to avoid being...
Guided tour to the mysteries of Ponte Vecchio in Florence
A guided tour to Ponte Vecchio, the most evocative florentine bridge The wonderful autumn and spring days allow to better appreciate the cities of art thanks to the tranquility and the milder temperatures that make walks in the streets and avenues really nice and...
The Maestà by Giotto to discover in the Uffizi Gallery
The Maestà by Giotto in the Uffizi, a museum of European art The Majesty painted by Giotto is one of the must-see works to see on a tour of the Uffizi Gallery. The itinerary allows you to discover some of the Italian art's masterpieces, as well as European's, thanks...
An ancient representation of Saint Francis to see in Florence
The Tavola Bardi, un ancient representation of Saint Francis in Santa Croce Church The Tavola Bardi is an ancient representation of Saint Francis to see in Florence. The work is a tempera on panel illustrating episodes of St. Francis of Assisi's life. Preserved in the...
Eastern influences within the works in the Uffizi Gallery
Eastern influences in Florence between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance Eastern influences in art are some of the traits that can be found within some works in the Uffizi Gallery. This is particularly inferable from the theme of the Virtues that in the last...
Night guided tour to the Uffizi Gallery
Visit the Uffizi with no queue On the occasion of the night openings of the Uffizi, promoted from June until the end of September, every Tuesday night, an alternative and even smarter way to enjoy the visit in the Gallery with no queue, since that is the moment when...
A visit to the Pienza Cathedral and to its amazing altarpieces
The Pienza Cathedral, an amazing place to visit in Val d'Orcia The visit of the Pienza Cathedral is one of the most suggestive experiences to do in Val d’Orcia (Tuscany). The church is located in the heart of the homonym UNESCO-listed town, inside the beautiful square...
The Madonna delle Nevi, a treasure trove to be discovered in Siena
A Renaissance treasure trove in the core of Siena The church of the Madonna delle Nevi is a small Renaissance treasure trove to be discovered in Siena. In the visit to the historic center of the town it is rarely possible to find a small treasure trove of Renaissance...
The fascinating story of Sant’Anna in the Church of Orsanmichele in Florence
The Orsanmichele Church of Florence and an important story to know The Church of Orsanmichele in Florence is undoubtedly one of the most peculiar churches in the historic centre of the town. There are many things to know around this building, such as the curious shape...
Artemisia Gentileschi, a paintress to be discovered in Florence
Artemisia Gentileschi, a paintress to be discovered in Florence The anniversary of 8 July can have an important reference in the art world. Florence was the scenario in which art, starting from the fourteenth century, became the medium-expression of society and its...
The ‘unpublished’ Angelico presented by Timothy Verdon in San Marco
Beato Angelico, an artist of his day, a mystic out of time A conference was held yesterday at the Biblioteca del Complesso di San Marco in Florence, curated by Mgr. Timothy Verdon, entitled Angelico inedito, artista del suo tempo, mistico fuori tempo (Angelico...
The Primavera by Botticelli and its mysterious plants
The Primavera, one of the most admired paintings in the Uffizi A visit to the Uffizi Gallery cannot be set aside from one of the most celebrated works of the Italian Renaissance: the Primavera by Botticelli. This painting, one of the most admired and photographed in...
The events you can enjoy in Siena on occasion of the New Year’s Eve
New Year's Eve in a city of art According to tradition, New Year's Eve is a time when you usually meet with friends or with your own family, to greet the arrival of the new year. In addition to the classic mountain goals, many are those who uncork the bottle of...
A show dedicated to Ambrogio Lorenzetti, a famous but unknown artist
A show dedicated to a very unknown artist The show dedicated to Ambrogio Lorenzetti, was held in 2017. There could be no greater need to shed light, through an updated scientific work, on a great protagonist of Italian painting of the fourteenth century such as this...
A visit to Radicofani, the out of law’s castle in Val d’Orcia
Radicofani, the out of law's castle in Val d'Orcia Here you can find the proposal of a visit to Radicofani, an amazing place that, as you can read below, can be called the out of law's castle and it is located in Val d'Orcia (Tuscany). If you are going in search of...
A tour in the Tuscan countryside to discover the Madonna di Vitaleta Chapel
A tour in the Tuscan countryside to discover in 'icon' of Italian landscape Taking a tour in the Tuscan countryside, there are some images that are really very attractive and familiar as they are part of the Italian landscapes imagery, such as the ones you can see if...
The twenty years of Pienza as an UNESCO site
The twentieth anniversary of Pienza as a UNESCO site In 2016, the twenty years of Pienza, recognized as a UNESCO heritage site, were celebrated. The city of Pius II completed a program which in 2016 saw a series of events entitled 'Save the Beauty'. These events were...
A masterpiece to see in the Siena Cathedral: the Adoration of Magi
A masterpiece in the Siena Cathedral The Adoration of the Magi is a masterpiece to see in the Siena Cathedral. The marble alt-relief is one of the scenes that makes part of the Cathedral's pulpit. In itself, the pulpit is a masterpieces of all Italian medieval...
The unveiling of the floor of the Siena Cathedral: visiting a hidden jewel
A jewel visible only in a few months of the year It is only in the period between the second half of August until the end of October that something extraordinary can be admired in Siena. This is the time in which there is the unveiling of the floor of the Siena...
The visit of Palazzo Pubblico of Siena to discover the ‘Maestà’
The 'Palazzo Pubblico' of Siena The 'Palazzo Pubblico' is one of the most important buildings to be admired in Siena and deserves to be properly discovered thanks to a guided tour of the city. Just to understand why this edifice is so important, it will suffice to...
The secrets of the Fonte Gaia: on the original 15th century fountain’s trail
A Renaissance fountain in a medieval square Siena is a city known for its architectural beauties and for the Palio of the Contrade which is held every year in a square known as Piazza del Campo. The latter is a place of great suggestion, praised by visitors from all...
Ideas about what to see in Siena for Easter holidays
Ideas on what to see in Siena for Easter If you are going to visit Tuscany and want to know what to see in Siena on the occasion of the Easter holidays, here you have some tour options to discover the beauties of the city. Two itineraries to the discovery of Sienese...
The adoration of Magi in the Pinacoteca nazionale of Siena
A masterpiece of the Pinacoteca di Siena The Adoration of the Magi is one of Bartolo di Fredi's works that can be seen in the Pinacoteca nazionale of Siena (National Art Gallery). The painting is unanimously considered the masterpiece of Bartolo di Fredi, one of the...
A visit to the Abbey of San Galgano and its precious reliquiary
The fascinating ruins of an Abbey The Abbey of San Galgano is one of the most terrific places to see in the Province of Siena. A visit to the ruins of the Abbey will offer you an evocative experience for the knowledge of the territory, as well as the nearby village of...
Monteriggioni, an unmissable castle to discover in Tuscany
A castle to discover in Tuscany Monteriggioni is undoubtedly a castle to discover in Tuscany. It is a magical place because its shape evokes the epic stories of fortified villages and knights who go into battle to defend them. In reality, Monteriggioni exists and had...
The Piccolomini Library of Siena, a jewel of Italian Renaissance
The Piccolominy Library was commisioned to Pintoricchio who starting in 1502. The client of these frescoes was called Francesco Piccolomini Todeschini who at the time was bishop of Siena.
The Duccio’s workshop in Siena, where the “Maestà” was painted
An incredible place to discover in the historic centre of Siena By visiting Siena, the nice town that is a UNESCO heritage site, there are many places plenty of history that can be admired in the historic centre, there is a place that has a particular significance...
A Resurrection to see in the Siena Cathedral Museum
Un unmissable work to see in the Siena Cathedral Museum When you go to see the Siena Cathedral Museum (Museo dell'Opera), you cannot but remain in recollection in front of what is one of the most evocative works to be preserved in the history of Italian art: Duccio di...
The amazing Crucifixion you must see in the visit to the Siena Cathedral
The Crucifixion is one of the scenes featured in the pulpit of Nicola Pisano, in the Cathedral of Siena. The pulpit was made between 1265 and 1268 by the great artist together with his son, Giovanni, and Arnolfo di Cambio.
A website to book a guided tour of Florence and Siena
A website to book a guided tour of Florence and Siena With great joy I communicate that, finally, my new website has been published. Through the new site it will be possible to book a guided tour of Florence and Siena with me, activities that you can choose from the...