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An Introduction To The Tourist Places In Syracuse
April 21, 2010
Syracuse is one of the oldest consistently occupied places in the whole Italy. Archaeologists place the first settling in Syracuse at about 800 BC which makes Syracuse nearly three thousand years old. Today, Syracuse is a small town with a population of only around 120,000.
However, the prosperous history of Syracuse is evident in many of the historical sightseeing opportunities that are to be found around the city. Below we’ve mentioned just a few interesting things to do in Syracuse.
The Cathedral in Syracuse is probably among the oldest in Italy as the original structure upon which it is erected used to be a Greek temple dating back to the 5th century BC. The Cathedral is open for the public to view and is probably a good place to start a sightseeing tour of Syracuse because it is quite centrally located.
Archaeological artefacts from Syracuse and other centres of art can be seen in the Paulo Orsi Archaeological Museum that boasts of having a wide-ranging collection of exceptional Roman and Greek artefacts in the entire county. This museum is open to public for an entry fee of 4.50 Euros.
The Syracuse Neapolis Archaeological Park is a great excavation place that depicts the nature of life in Syracuse in the early Roman period.
You can roam about the site at your will if you pay an entry pass fee of 4.50 Euro. The major landmark of this site is the Greek theatre that dates back to the 5th century BC.
There is also a Roman amphitheatre which is around 2000 years old, and would have been used for gladiatorial battles.
As the name would indicate, this museum is dedicated to showcasing art from the medieval era right up to modern day contemporary art.
There are various works of art in sculpture and painting that can be found in this museum in Syracuse although there is an emphasis laid on local art.
Cycling across Italy is a wonderful way to enjoy the charm of rural Italy. For more detailed guidance on things to do in Syracuse please click on the preceding links.
Historical Tourist Places In Vicenza
April 7, 2010
Vicenza is a small town situated in the north east of Italy. Vicenza is the capital of the Veneto region which also includes the renowned Italian town of Venice. Vicenza is situated about 200km east of Milan. The town of Vicenza has a population of just over 110,000 and has traditionally been a major centre of the Italian textile industry.
In later years Vicenza has become a manufacturer of computer parts. Even though Vicenza is not a major city on the average tourist’s travel plan, it’s closeness to Venice and the presence of a few constructions and sights of attraction make it worthy of at least a short stop over. Below we’ve described a few of the sightseeing highlights of Vicenza.
The Basilica Palladiana that belongs to the 16th century and was designed by the famous sculptor Andrea Palladio whose works inspired the renaissance artists of Italy a great deal is one of the most significant architectural wonders of Vicenza.
The Basilica Paddiana is centrally located in the Piazza dei Signori which makes it easily accessible and a best place from which to embark on a sightseeing tour of Vicenza.
Tourists who relish in viewing the pieces of art should make a visit to the Civico Museum in Vicenza where several finest pieces of art that manifest the beauty of the Italian art are displayed. This museum is kept open between 9am and 5pm.
The Monte Berico Basilica is another architectural wonder that is located atop a hill in the fringes of the town of Vicenza. A panoramic view of the entire town can be had from this Basilica and hence the atmosphere here is serene in nature.
The current building on this spot in Vicenza dates back to the 18th century, although the significance of the actual place dates back much further.
This is supposedly the place where the Virgin Mary made two supernatural appearances. This basilica in Vicenza opens at 6.15am and closes at 7.30pm, although it closes for two hours in the afternoon from 12.30.
The Archaeological Museum in Vicenza may not be an important tourist spot but it boasts a good collection of artefacts that belong to the local areas and that were excavated recently.
The list of things to do in Vicenza cant be fully listed in a few hundred words. If you would like to read more about interesting things to do in Florence click on the link.
Tourist Destinations In Rome
April 2, 2010
The Colosseum in Rome draws great number of tourists from all corners of the world at all times of the year and so it is the most popular of all the tourist spots in Rome. Tourists can be seen thoroughly revelling in the Colosseum by taking photographs.
The Colosseum in Rome was the most important of the gladiator arenas in Rome and regardless of its age, its architecture stands in place.
The Palatine in Rome is a vast excavation of a part of the city of ancient Rome and provides some of the most insightful and amusing sightseeing enjoyments to be had in Rome. The Palatine in Rome used to be the wealthiest residential district of Rome and is replete with the remains of Roman mansions and the royal palace of Emperor Domitian.
Put aside some additional time to visit the Palatine in Rome because of its large area to be covered and since its proximity to the Colosseum is known it will be desirable to cover both the places in a single day. By spending 8 Euros you can see both these places.
The Roman Forum in Rome is an excavated area of what used to be a chief market place and public area in the ancient city of Rome. Public buildings and squares with statues on display are among the sightseeing attractions at the Roman Forum. Guided sightseeing tours of the forum are available in English at a cost of 4 Euros. This sightseeing attraction in Rome is open from 9-5 daily.
Capital Hill in the USA has its predecessor in the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome. This was the ancient Rome’s headquarters of the municipal government and city council. A vast building that is excavated is an attraction here among several other unearthed pieces by the archaeologists.
In the major public square is situated the statue of Marcus Aurelius at the Capitoline Hill. There is also the world’s oldest Museum present in the Capitoline Hill. A visit to this Museum is a must.
The church of St Mary in Aracoeli is another major sightseeing attraction to be seen here complete with its magnificent fresco painting on it’s inside walls and a statue of Jesus.
The Piazza Venezia is the most popular tourist destination in Rome if you are to have a panoramic view of Rome. It houses the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and also the St. Mark Basilica.
A cycling tour of Italy is a pleasant means os seeing the countryside at a slow pace. For further info about Italian cultural assets click on our guide to things to do in Rome.
Details About The Tourist Places In Pisa
March 20, 2010
Pisa is a small town with a population of less than 100,000 situated in the north of Italy. Pisa is known chiefly for its leaning tower; however, there are some other tourist attractions in Pisa worthy of a visit. Pisa has a long history and served as a strategic naval base during Roman times.
Pisa rose to occupy the apex in military and economic fronts during the 12th century when it was considered as a chief maritime force and trading city as a result of which the major part of its architecture could be dated back to the 12th century. We have described a few of the tourist spots in Pisa below.
The Leaning tower of Pisa is without doubt the most well known sightseeing attraction in Pisa and probably one of the most known in Italy. Paradoxically, had the tower not been deficient it is doubtful that it would be so famous. Nevertheless the slant in this tower attracts tourists from far and wide who come to be photographed in front of the tower.
There is a limitation apropos the admission into Pisa due to safety reasons, however visitors are allowed to get into the tower from morning till the daily limit is reached. It costs 15 Euros towards the admission fee that may be paid in advance for certainty.
The baptistery in Pisa is where the majority of citizens in medieval Pisa would have been baptised into the Christian religion. The original structure of the baptistery in Pisa dates back to the 12th century although it was not fully finished until two centuries later.
As a result this piece of architecture in Pisa is very beautiful as it embraces both Romanesque and Gothic impacts. Once inside the baptistery you can find the pool-like shape carved out in the middle of the building which would have been filled with water and into which people would have been submerged as part of the baptism process.
The Cathedral in Pisa is an excellent evidence of Romanesque architecture that is so typical of the Tuscany region of Italy.
The building itself is believed to be built in the 11th century with grandiose interior supported by 68 columns. Green and white marble interiors are the attractions of the Cathedral in Pisa. Entrance fee to this Cathedral is 2 Euros.
A comfortable visit of Pisa is possible with the help of boat journeys that cost 5 Euros and that help the tourist to visit all the tourist spots in Pisa by travelling down the River Arno.
If you have an interest in art from the renaissance then be sure to read our guide on sightseeing in Florence. If you want further information about sightseeing in Pisa follow the hyperlinks.