Old churches in Lucca, Tuscany

Lucca is an ancient and beautiful city in Tuscany. In ancient times before the Romans was inhabited by the Etruscans. Lucca was an important center in the Middle Ages, and for some time was also independent. Over the centuries in this city were also built many beautiful churches. Now we will mention a few.

St Martin's Cathedral-photo by ap 2012

decorations in the entrance of the cathedral-photo by ap 2012

detail of the facade of the cathedral -photo by ap 2012

Inside the cathedral there are many works of art but tourists admire the very famous  tomb of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia. On the facade of the cathedral curious people observe a strange design with a labyrinth.

mosaic of the facade of the church of San Frediano-photo by ap 2012

inside the church of San Frediano-photo by ap 2012

bell tower and the back of the church of San Frediano-photo ap 2012

Even in this church there are sculptures and frescoes of the Renaissance. Interested readers can also see the page: Basilica di San Frediano

San Michele in Foro, church-photo alpy

church built over the ancient Roman forum

the crucifix in the church of San Michele

Santi Giovanni e Reparata church-photo alpav 2012

In the basement of the church of Santa Reparata are several archaeological remains and tourists can take a journey through the centuries.

archaeological excavations-photo alpav 2012

Santa Maria Forisportam church

But there are other nice old churches and other monuments.

gardens and walls in Lucca-photo ap 2012

Lucca is not big city. Several tourists rent bicycles to visit the monuments and the beautiful gardens around the ancient walls.

Finally, many people eat at the restaurant good soups spelled (farro) and loves the music of Giacomo Puccini. The great musician was born in Lucca in 1858 and there are often concerts in some churches.

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books by Alpav in Lulu

Art exhibition in Forlì: Giovanni Boldini

In the city of Forlì is open from February 1 to June 15, 2015 a major exhibition on the paintings of Giovanni Boldini (1842-1931).
This Italian artist attended many artistic circles of Paris and his art is known in Europe. Boldrini was also a friend of Edgar Degas. His paintings are in museums Italian, French,etc.

Party at the Moulin Rouge (1889), Musèe d'Orsay -Paris (photo studio Esseci)

portrait of Madame Charles Max (1896), Musèe d'Orsay -Paris (photo studio Esseci)

La grande rue a Combes la Ville (1873)-Philadelfia Museum of Art (G. W. Elkins collection)  photo studio Esseci

girl sitting in the garden-  photo studio Esseci

Forlì is a nice town of Romagna region with interesting monuments since Roman times. Forli is not far from the Adriatic Sea and the city as Rimini and Ravenna. In San Domenico Museum there are many works of art.

old town

Abbey St Mercurial- photo Perkele

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books by Alpav in Lulu

Snow in southern Italy

Also in southern Italy sometimes it snows a lot. Surely many people know the small town of Alberobello, which is famous for its special houses called trulli.  Please compare a normal photo and a photo taken January 1, 2015

photo by wikipedia

photo made by Umberto P. january 2015

The area is in the Itria Valley not far from the Adriatic Sea and the beautiful peninsula of Gargano is just south. These particular houses (trulli) are made only in the Itria valley.
In the nearby countryside of Locorotondo farmers produce a great wine.

It is not far from Alberobello also the historic city of Martina Franca and the Valle d'Itria

This city is famous for its buildings often white and for some baroque churches

Baroque decoration in Martina Franca (Puglia)