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VPG-DVD-103 - TUSCANY Tuscany was named after the Etruskans, who were called 'Tusci' by the Romans. The kingdom was eventually divided into independent dukedoms and, from 1531, the Medici ruled, a family of businessmen and bankers. Capital of Tuscany is Florence, a city of art and joie de vivre and past home of important artists and sculptors such as Donatello, Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci, plus the writers Dante and Boccaccio, not to mention the scientist, Galileo Galilei. Lucca, one of Tuscany's most important historical towns, rises from the lower reaches of the Serchio river, on a former swamp. Dating from the Middle Ages, it is surrounded by a massive 4.2 kilometre long brick wall which helped the town retain its independence, and also protected it from the floodwaters of the Serchio. The precarious imperfection of The Leaning Tower Of Pisa is in stark contrast to the grandiose palaces and religious buildings of the Medici family and the natural contours of the hills and mountains of this European nirvana complete the connection between art and nature. Tuscany satisfies all the senses!
Vista Point Tuscany Italy
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 115 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m34s
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VPG-DVD-131 - FIRENZE Florence is the capital of Tuscany, a city of art and joie de vivre. With its magnificent tower the Palazzo Vecchio is a communal palace that has been the city's political centre since the beginning of the 14th century. Originally it was the seat of the city's Republican rulers but soon afterwards the MEDICI dynasty settled there, the cleverest and most powerful of the handful of families that ruled over the city. In front of the palace's façade there is a double life-sized statue that is a copy of Michelangelo's‚'David', and in the Galleria Dell` Accademia there are several further sculptures by the great artist that idealised and glorified the strength of the Renaissance people. The three-sided Gothic cathedral and the Campanile are tightly packed into the city centre's Cathedral Square and the Santa Maria Del Fiore Cathedral is a replica of St. Peters in Rome and the Cathedral of Milan. The bronze 'Tower To Paradise' adorns the city's most sacred building, the Battistero, its mighty inner-dome, in Byzantine style, being supported by strong Roman columns while, in a gigantic mosaic, Christ the 'Judge of the World' features alongside angels and battles with the devil. San Lorenzo was the Medici's cathedral and one of the earliest creations of the Florentine Renaissance. To make way for it, an entire section of the city was torn down, a process that cost the Medici a large sum of money. Close to the Holy Antonius Cloister there is now a monastery and a museum and everywhere there are striking frescos by the artist Monk, Fra Angelico, several of which are on view in the monastery and its surrounding buildings. It could be said that the world obtained its taste for culture from Florence, a city in which art and culture unite in beautiful completion.
Vista Point Florence Italy
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 115 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m16s
Views: 16  | Comments: 0
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GTR-DVD-1054 - Medieval walls surround Siena, the most beautiful city in Tuscany. It is also proudly referred to as the 'Italian metropolis of the Gothic period'. Throughout the centuries, historic squares, palaces and churches have created Siena's unique character.Traditional buildings that date back to the Middle Ages and numerous romantic, picturesque features have turned the Piazza Il Campo into one of Italy's most beautiful squares. As in Rome, the she-wolf is Siena's landmark and there are many historical connections between the two cities. It is likely that during Etruscan and Roman times a town or colony had already been established in Siena. Under the so called 'Council of Nine,' a town government that consisted of nine wealthy merchants, Siena experienced much prosperity at the beginning of the 14th century and plans were drawn up to complete the construction of the cathedral. Siena is a city of art that overflows with history, charm and a lively medieval atmosphere where Italian Gothic style is very much alive! Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.
Global Treasures Siena...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 115 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m21s
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GTR-DVD-1046 - Surrounded by a double wall that dates back to medieval times and amid the gentle undulating hills of Tuscany is the town of San Gimignano with its striking15 towers that were built by competing aristocratic families. The towers were considered to be of great prestige and also provided a means of defence.Competition to construct the tallest tower became increasingly fierce until a special decree curtailed the mindless indulgence of the local aristocracy. The town's prosperity came to a sudden end and in 1348 the plague killed thousands of its inhabitants. Located next to the cathedral, the Palazzo Del Comune contains numerous works of art. Since it was built at the end of the 13th century it has been extended many times. Frescos adorned with several of the town's historic symbols decorate the walls of a tranquil inner courtyard. The 14th century was a prosperous time for many of the townsfolk. At a height of 54 metres, even today the Communal Palace's Torre Grossa rises above each one of the town's further towers. For several centuries San Gimignano's towers have been a prominent part of the town's noble silhouette amid the captivating landscape of Tuscany. Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.
Global Treasures San...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 115 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m5s
Views: 7  | Comments: 0
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GTR-DVD-1086 - Surrounded by the magnificent and captivating hills of Tuscan Crete are the rooftops and towers of Pienza, a small town with 2,500 inhabitants. The town's history is indelibly associated with Pope Pius The Second who had a unique and resounding influence on what was also his birthplace. The head of the Roman Catholic Church decided to transform his home village into a perfect town of the Renaissance. The cathedral's interior walls are covered with several beautiful paintings created by numerous master artists of SIENA one of whom was Lorenzo Di Pietro who is also known as 'Il Vecchietta'. In order to intensify the light within the cathedral, and following the wishes of the Pope, the walls were originally bereft of paintings. Despite numerous renovations instigated by Pius The Second, the character of the majority of the town's houses, streets and old alleyways has been retained to the present day. The „Street of Love", VIA DELL AMORE, or „The Road of Kisses", contains more than a little romance. Unfortunately, little remains of the old castle of Corsignano that, prior to the Pope's construction programme, was once located in the centre of the town. The death of Pius The Second in August 1464 brought with it the sudden end of Pienza´s golden years. Although the Pope's architectural ideals for the town were never fully realized he successfully transformed his home town forever. Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.
Global Treasures PIENZA...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 115 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m5s
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GTR-DVD-1058 - Firenze is today's capital of Tuscany, a city of art and joie de vivre. In the heart of the city is the Piazza San Giovanni with its Duomo, Campanile and Battistero. After the cathedrals of Rome, Milan and London, that of Santa Maria Del Fiore is the fourth largest in the Christian world. Over the northern gate is a relief that is a masterpiece of Early Renaissance relief work. The 3-sided cathedral was designed to symbolise a Latin crucifix. The main body of the cathedral is 153 metres long and 23 metres tall but in comparison with its huge dimensions, its interior is somewhat bare. In the adjoining Cathedral Museum there is a fascinating collection of pulpits that were designed for special occasions by the most prominent artists of the day. The Firenze Academy has altered the face of European culture and at the beginning of the 15th century the young Cosimo De Medici became a follower of PLATON`S doctrine and philosophy. 463 steps within the Academy's two-tiered dome lead to a superb view that extends over the length and breadth of the old city. With its impressive 107 metre high dome, the Battistero is a stunning building and its Laterna, that was completed in 1572, is a masterpiece created by Brunellechi. The Piazza San Giovanni exudes a powerful ambience and even today it is still possible to feel the remarkable artistry of its historic past. Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.
Global Treasures PIAZZA...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 115 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m12s
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GTR-DVD-1074 - From almost any direction, the town of Lucca, in Italy's Tuscany, satisfies the eye with a variety of picturesque motifs and striking impressions, such as its wonderful works of art and splendid architecture, including its famous and imposing city wall. During the Middle Ages this atmospheric town owed both its prosperity and fame to the manufacture of silk and a variety of other sought after clothing materials. Full of character and charm, the diverse architecture and artistic decoration of many of its houses are reminders of a wealthy and glorious past. For several centuries the beautiful Piazza Del Mercato has been the town's market place. Originally a Roman Amphitheatre, during the Middle Ages its foundation walls formed part of the dwellings of the bourgeoisie. Lucca's city wall is 12 metres high and the most famous in Tuscany. For its four-kilometre length, approximately six million bricks were used. Lucca is a fascinating treasure trove of the life and culture of Tuscany. Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.
Global Treasures Lucca...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 115 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m27s
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GTR-DVD-1078 - In Italy's Tuscany, Florence is a city of art, culture, churches, grand squares and palaces. At the end of the 14th century, an elite handful of families ruled the city, most notably the Medici, whose highly ostentatious mausoleum was built in the Capelle Medicee. Pope Eugene the Fourth bequeathed the Dominican orders the ruined Monastery of San Marco and Cosimo De Medici financed the renovation of the site. The main part of the monastery is still inhabited by monks, who pay due deference to its many valuable paintings and works of art. Wih pride, and perhaps delusions of grandeur, the people of Florence demonstrated their supremacy over all the other towns of the region and the city has thus succeeded in being a combination of beauty, fortitude and religious belief in which art and culture are today united in magnificent finality. Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.
Global Treasures FLORENCE...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 115 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m22s
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7DY-DVD-108 - Florence is the capital of Tuscany and at the end of the 14th Century was ruled by a few leading families who not only financed churches but also competed in building magnificent palaces.  Of these, the Medici family proved to be the most powerful.   It is a city of art and joie de vivre and past home of important artists and sculptors such as Donatello, Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci, plus the writers Dante and Boccaccio, not to mention the scientist, Galileo Galilei.  The most modern of the Tuscany spas was built in the valley below Montecatini Alto which can be reached on a rack-railway which climbs to the top of the mountain through orchards and fields.  Lucca, one of Tuscany's most important historical towns, rises from the lower reaches of the Serchio river, on a former swamp.  Dating from the Middle Ages, it is surrounded by a massive brick wall which helped the town retain its independence and also protected it from the floodwaters of the Serchio.  The precarious imperfection of the Leaning Tower of Pisa is in stark contrast to the grandiose palaces and religious buildings of the Medici family and the natural contours of the hills.  The Cathedral, Bapisterium and Campanile form a unique, grandiose harmony and display the liberal mindedness of those who were in power during their construction. Olive groves and vineyards line the gentle hilly landscape around the picturesque, Vinci.  The birthplace of Leonardo is a simple farmhouse above the square in which only a modest bust portrays this universal genius.  Surrounded by the cities of Florence, Siena, and Pisa, Certaldo is a Middle Age village built of red brick and was the birthplace of the author, Giovanni Boccaccio.  The heart of Tuscany lies around the provincial capital of Siena, a Gothic city of great artistry. The entire structure, its squares and streets, most of the residential quarterand noble palaces, the cathedral and the church, date back to the 13th and 14th centuries.  History and culture combined with the beauty of nature...Tuscany has it all!
7 Days TOSCANA Italy Tuscany
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 115 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m31s
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