10 Must-See Attractions in Valencia

Porta apòstols seu València (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Author: Austin Ortiz
Valencia is packed with attractions. A city that was founded by the Romans and prospered under the Moors and the Catholic Monarchs is one of the most attractive cities of Spain. Here marvelous medieval buildings share space with modern surrealist structures, creating a city that boasts of architectural diversity. The scene of Spanish art and culture, Valencia is the perfect destination for experiencing the vibrant Spanish life.

Must-See Attractions in Valencia

Artepadova: The Modern And Contemporary Art Exhibition In Padua

The 23rd edition of ArtePadova is nearly hear: the trade exhibition dedicated to modern and contemporary art that takes place every year in the venetian city, and that has become a must for galleries, collectors, art experts but also for art lovers, will start on the 9th of November and will be open until the 12th at PadovaFiere as usual.
By: Michele de Capitani
  Through the years ArtePadova has made a name for itself as a benchmark from both a business and artistic point of view, and in this sense Padua is the most suitable location, due to its long and famous artistic tradition as well as to its role as important business centre. Many visitors, for both business and cultural reasons, decide to visit ArtePadova, and it is no coincidence that the number of participants is increasing year after year. Over 20,000 people have visited the trade exhibition last year, and about 150 Italian and international galleries have exhibited their works, which has created an important artistic hub on an exhibition area of about 23,000 m.

Also this year the halls of the fair will host modern and contemporary works of art realized by
well-known artists as well as by emerging talents, to give space to the great artists of the future. In this way ArtePadova offers a journey into the art history of the 20th century and of 2000 through some of the most representative works of art of these periods.

Some of the halls and pavilions of the exhibition are notably interesting: halls 7, 8 7, for example, contains very high-level works, but all the spaces of the fair will give you the chance to breathe art deeply. And to highlight the effort and the will of ArtaPadova to give space also to emerging talents, three halls will be put at the disposal of young artists that wish to make themselves known in the art market: this is the initiative CATS: Contemporay Art Talent Show.

The peculiarity of ArtePadova comes from its capacity to connect the world of art with other sphere and fields, and this does not only means business, galleries and collecting. The link and connections between art and other sectors will be highlighted also through a series of meetings and round tables that are meant to examine some notably interesting issues, like the connection between art and fashion, art and technology and art and architecture. The art-talks are back also this year: a series of meetings and debates that are meant to look into the various facets of the world of contemporary art thanks to the intervention of experts like curators, journalists and critics.

In addition to these meetings, which will take place at PadovaFiere, ArtePadova will also offer other interesting initiatives that will be held outside the fairground, bringing art to the city.

After the inauguration, which will take place on the 8th of October, you can visit ArtePadova from Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Rome Auditorium - Events, Music and Modern Architecture in Rome

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By Sarah Dudleymore


One of the best example of modern architecture in Rome is, on my opinion, the Renzo Piano's "Auditorium Parco della Musica", a large multi-function public music complex.
Unfortunately, this wonderful construction is located out of the historic centre, in the north side of Rome, so tourists generally miss it.
Opened in 2002, Auditorium Parco della Musica combines architectural innovation with perfect acoustics. The complex is composed of three separate enormous bug-like halls whose forms are inspired by musical instruments. A fourth concert hall is the open air theater evoking Greco-Roman theaters.

Florence and Art - The Site of Unbound Artistry

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By Annette Labedzki


Florence - The City

Initially named as Florentia, Julius Caesar originally established Florence in 59 BC as a settlement for his veteran soldiers. It was therefore, built in the style of an army camp. Presently, it is the capital city on the banks of River Arno in the region of Tuscany, North Italy. Florence is one of Tuscany's most populous cities with around 3,67,000 inhabitants.
The Activity Log

The Golden Age of Florentine Art began in around 1000 AD. Most aptly known as the 'Athens of the Middle Age,' the city is famous for its art and architecture from the Middle Ages (5th-16th centuries) and the European Renaissance (1300-1600). In fact, it was considered the origin point of the Italian Renaissance (1490's-1600). Ruled by the powerful Italian Medici Family and being the capital of Italy from 1865-70, it was also one of the biggest centers of business and trade in Italy. In 1982, UNESCO declared the Historic Centre of Florence as a World Heritage Site.
The Art

Church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence

Image via WikipediaIf you have been to Rome and Venice, but not Florence, you have not really seen Italy. Florence is a city of stunning beauty, its name translates as the "blossoming". It is believed to be one of the oldest centers and cities in Europe. Florence has many wonderful attractions and monuments. One of them is the Church of Santa Maria Novella.
Church of Santa Maria Novella
Many historians argue that the city of Florence (Italy) was founded in 59 BC by Julius Caesar. However, science provides no firm confirmation of this fact. It is known that the city of Florence gave birth to the Renaissance, so today the city features many ancient churches, cathedrals, palaces and museums designed in the style of the Renaissance epoch.
The Church of Santa Maria Novella was conceived and built by Dominican monks Sisto da Firenze and Ristoro da Campi. The construction started in 1246, at the site where once sat the 10th century Dominican Chapel of Santa Maria delle Vinet. In 1279 aisles were completed, and in the second half of the fourteenth century Jacopo Talenti was able to finish the construction of Towers and the Sacristy. As a result of alterations made by Leon Battista Alberti in the mid-fifteenth century, the beautiful facade of the church emerged. A talented architect, he completed a wonderful portal and the upper part of the church with a clear rhythm of squares, which are inlaid with marble.


The interior of the church through the pylons is divided into three naves, and the pylons are provided with ligament columns supporting the huge arches covered with lancet arches. The interior was renovated in the sixteenth century. This church houses a great number of art works dating back to fourteenth to sixteenth centuries by famous masters (Vasari, Brunelleschi, Rossellini, Ghirlandaio, Giuliano da Sangallo, Ghiberti, etc.)



Through a gate in the form of a lattice you can enter the monastery courtyard designed in the Romanesque style of the fourteenth century, then to the large monastery, surrounded by arched walls that are painted by Florentine artists.



The Chapter Hall of the Monastery in the Spanish chapel is a work of the genius Jacopo Talenti (mid-fourteenth century). This chapel was intended for church services in the presence of Eleanor of Toledo, the wife of Cosimo I, accompanied by her entourage. The chapel is decorated with frescoes of the fourteenth century by Andrea di Buonayuto.



Hours:

Closed on Friday and Sunday

Open on other days from 09.00 to 17.00

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Planning a trip to Florence? Don't miss the list of Florence hotels with descriptions, rates, photos and offerings from most popular hotel booking systems.



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Caravaggio And His Followers In Florence

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"The dark voice of reality"... is not the title of an unedited album by the Doors, but one of the most appropriate definitions ever given to the work of Michelangelo Merisi, also called Caravaggio. Indeed, Merisi's approach to life was that of a contemporary rock star. His short life, turbulent and dissipated, characterized by violence, riots and general excess (he was also condemned to death for murder, even if he was not executed) make him a perfect example of a "cursed artist", compared to which Mick Jagger and Ozzy Osbourne come across as little more than beginners.




Caravaggio, though, was much more than that. One of the major representatives of the Baroque, he was probably one of the greatest painters of all time. His ability to represent reality in all its rawness, along with the characters of his works, their faces distorted by emotions, deformities, seduction and fury, make him a real "man of our times". The strong contrast between light and shade and the gloomy and nocturnal atmosphere of his works still upset and attract real art lovers as well as amateurs from all over the world.



However, not everyone, at that time, understood the greatness of Caravaggio. Florentines in the first place (painters and non) remained indifferent to his work, regardless of the fact that the Grand Duke Cosimo II de Medici, a member of the most famous Florentine family, demonstrated his appreciation for his work on more than one occasion. After all, Florence has always been a conservative city and its citizens have certainly never been willing to be taught by a "foreigner". Therefore, even if the most important families of the city did appreciate his works, the Florentine artistic community remained anchored to the "academic" painting tradition in fashion at that time.



As far as we know, Caravaggio never went to Florence. He wanted to, but did not make it on time. Regardless of this Florence is, after Rome, the city where most of his and his followers' works are found. This is why the exhibition "Caravaggio and his followers", organised to remember the 400th anniversary of his death, is an unmissable and unique event. From the 22nd of May to the 17th of October 2010 Florence will host nine of the most important masterpieces of the Milanese painter and tens of his followers' works, which will be spread among Palazzo Pitti, Uffizi and Villa Bardini.



The exhibition will include paintings such as "Bacco", "Amorino Dormiente", 'Medusa', "Sacrificio di Isacco", "Cavaliere di Malta" and the "Cavadenti", displayed at the Galleria Palatina and the Uffizi gallery, and the "Ragazzo morso dal ramarro", displayed at the Villa Bardini. These are incredible paintings that revolutionised painting in the 1600's and still impress the viewers 400 years later with their modernity and emotional impact. Along with them, the exhibition will display "Ritratto di Maffeo Barberini" and the "Ritratto di Cardinale", both of which are paintings that have only recently been attributed to Caravaggio.



These last two paintings will be the greatest surprise for the public as these works have only recently been attributed to the Milanese master and are therefore previously unseen by viewers. Along with the works by Merisi, viewers will enjoy a wide range of works by the so called "Caravaggeschi authors" (including Spadarino, Gerrit Van Honthorst, Artemisia Gentileschi) who were inspired by the same intuitions as their master. These are painters who found in Florence the passionate support of local families, such as the Medici, who adopted the style and atmosphere of Caravaggio and who sometimes met him in person, but who cannot be called real disciples because Caravaggio was always too involved in his chaotic life to find the will or the time to transfer his knowledge to others. It actually seems that Caravaggio never liked the idea of having followers and imitators. Apparently, he was not the easiest of men to get along with....



However, the real reason why Caravaggio is still so successful in 2010 is his ability to mix the sacred and profane, beauty and curse, splendor and squalor, paintbrush and sword. The reason why he is still so beloved by contemporaries lies in his ability to avoid academic or symbolically rich language and to talk to everyone through the most powerful emotions common to all mankind: rage, hate, love, light and shade. This is why we feel so close to him. The shady artist from many centuries ago and us, always in search for real, concrete and authentic emotions out of the glittering fictions of our time.
 

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We rent two apartments in the very center of Florence, (by two-minutes walk you are in the Duomo square) equipped with all the comforts : air conditionning, tv-sat and everything you need to cook your own meals. A nice cheap way to visit Florence!
Florence Holiday Apartments




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'New' Michelangelo work in Rome - News in English - ANSA.it

'New' Michelangelo work in Rome - News in English - ANSA.it: "Palazzo"

(ANSA) - Rome, May 21 - A beautiful but little-known sculpture has just made its first appearance as a confirmed Michelangelo work at an exhibition in Rome. The bas-relief carving is one of 35 marble and bronze artworks in a show at Palazzo Venezia paying tribute to Renaissance sculpture, which opened on Friday. The exhibition looks at key artistic developments between the 1460s to the 1520s, leading to the emergence of new trends in sculpture. It focuses on the output of Donatello, Andrea Bregno and Michelangelo, featuring both established works as well as little known pieces, but also includes works by other artists.

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The Top 5 Must See Sites in Florence

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As one of the most popular cities to visit in Italy, Florence is filled with an array of fantastic tourist attractions. Situated in the heart of Tuscany, Florence is home to some of Italy's best museums, cathedrals and churches; as well as many character-filled streets and squares which are home to exquisite buildings and both modern and traditional shops and cafes.

There is so much to see and experience in Florence that you can't fit it all in during one trip. If you are planning a vacation in Tuscany here are our suggestions for 5 'must see' site while you are in Florence.



Piazza Della Signoria is the most famous square in Florence, situated in the heart of the city. Here, tourists will find themselves standing in a place of history as the piazza has been the political centre of Florence since the middles ages. The Palazzo Vecchin town hall is situated within the middle of the piazza and is one of the many medieval buildings you can find within Florence. The Palazzo boasts many decorated public rooms and private apartments and there is an array of cafes and eateries which are dotted around this area.

When visiting Florence, it is doubtful you will not hear about Il Duomo, which is one of Florence's most popular sites. The cathedral is a great chance to experience some of the many pieces of gothic architecture which are found within Florence and is a true piece of beauty on both its interior and exterior. Consecrated in 1436 and with the ability to hold up to 20,000 people, the cathedral's exterior is made up of green, pink and white marble and includes many elaborate doors and statues. The dome of the cathedral is a piece of art in itself of which tourists can purchase a ticket to climb the 436 steps which lead to its top.

The Baptistery of John the Baptist is one of the oldest buildings in Florence having been originally built during the 11th century. Its exterior constitutes of green and white marble and also boasts three sets of astounding bronze doors. Inside the Baptistery, visitors will view many mosaics and marbles pavements which illustrate the zodiac- a truly stunning sight.

Art lovers will flock to visit the Galleria degli Uffizi which holds the world's most important collection of Renaissance art. As Italy's most popular art museum, this can often be extremely crowded, but tickets can be purchased in order to avoid queuing up for entry. The gallery holds many historical paintings from medieval artworks to modern art and an array of antique sculptures and tapestries. Some of the art works visitors can hope to see include Botticelli, Leonardo di Vinci and Raphael.

One of the largest Franciscan churches within Italy is the Santa Croce. This church is home to the tombs of many important Florentines such as Michelangelo and Dante and its stunning interiors include beautiful pieces of stained glass windows and frescoes. Those who love historical artworks will also enjoy the Cappella dei Pazzi by Brunelleschi which can also be found within the Santa Croce.

When it comes to visiting Florence in Tuscany, there is plenty to be seen and inspired by, no matter what types of historical sites you normally enjoy. Whether you love viewing historical art, architecture or places of worship; Florence is sure to provide all this and more and is sure to see you return again in the future in order to take all of its brilliance in once again.

Mark Scriven is an online marketing expert and has written many articles on business, travel and the internet. For a wide selection of luxury villas in Tuscany visit Cottages to Castles, specialists in luxury holiday accommodation in Tuscany.

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Style City: Florence

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Style City: Florence

Florence is one of the most beautiful and inspirational cities in the world. Florence is where the Italian vernacular language was founded; it is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and of course is home to the famous and oldest bridge in Italy the "Ponte Vecchio", which is flanked on either side by magnificent, ornate jewellery shops that ...
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