Pisa, Lucca, Florence, Pietrasanta
A journey through the cities of art in Tuscany
Tuscany is a region rich in culture, history and art. Casale Amati is the perfect starting point from where to visit some of the most beautiful cities of art in Tuscany, either by train or by car. From Pisa and its world-renowned leaning tower, to the aristocratic Lucca, to Florence, an open air museum at your fingertips, to the elegant and contemporary Pietrasanta, the “little Athens in Tuscany”, there is so much to visit and discover and all close at hand.
With the Arno river running through its centre and surrounded by the famous rolling hills of Tuscany with olive trees and grape vines everywhere, Firenze is without a doubt Tuscany’s most famous city, able to charm and seduce all visitors with its Renaissance magnificence. Giotto, Cimabue, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Botticelli … are just some of the great masters who left their mark in this city with paintings, sculptures and majestic art works such as the Duomo (cathedral) and Palazzo Vecchio. Looking for famous museums? The Uffizi art gallery, the Accademia art gallery, Cappelle Medicee, the Bargello National Museum and much more in a city always full of events.
Another place one can discover is Pisa, a university city with ancient origins, famous worldwide thanks to its emblematic monument of the Leaning Tower which is surrounded by the beautiful and elegant Piazza dei Miracoli, denominated a World Heritage site by UNESCO for its rare beauty. For those who want to visit something artistic and perhaps not what you might expect to find here, a stop by at the Sant’Antonio Abate Church is a must. Here, on the external wall of the rectory, the artist Keith Haring painted a huge mural entitled “Tuttomondo”.
Lucca is well worth a visit too. Famous for silk manufacturing during the 15th century, the city was and now it has become a cultural gathering place in Tuscany. It still preserves the ancient sixteenth-century walls which, during the day, can offer an enchanting panoramic 4 kilometres long pathway. And all around one can find villas, the botanical gardens, churches, Anfiteatro Square, Guinigi Tower and many products such as the famous buccellato, a sweet bread stuffed with raisins, great as a sweet snack.
For those passionate about classical or contemporary art, Pietrasanta is not to be missed. Thanks to its foundries and marble art studios, it has become a meeting place for some of the greatest international sculptors. In between elegant art galleries and delightful boutiques, it is a great place to taste local delicacies in wine shops and traditional restaurants, with an exquisite and elegant atmosphere.