Birthplace of the Renaissance and for centuries the centre of
Western Civilisation, Italy has made an immense contribution to
Europe’s historical and cultural heritage. Holiday makers with
an interest in art or culture therefore enjoy a wealth of
opportunities to explore some of the world’s most incredible
masterpieces of art and architecture.
Anyone with a passion for art will love an art history holiday
in Italy, but art buffs interested in the Renaissance and
Baroque periods in particular are in for a treat with the
country’s many masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci,
Donatello, Botticelli, Fra Angelico, Tintoretto, Caravaggio,
Bernini, Titian and Raphael.
There are many fascinating areas to visit throughout Italy, but
three of the most perfect places for art history holidays are
the glorious cities of Florence, Venice and Rome.
Art Holidays in Florence
Florence was at the epicenter of the Italian Renaissance and it
remains one of the world's top attractions for art lovers, as
well as being one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
With former residents including Renaissance masters Leonardo da
Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael and Botticelli, it’s no
wonder that Florence is so popular for art history holidays.
The Uffizi
Florence’s Uffizi gallery is a Mecca for those on art holidays,
history and cultural heritage holidays, and contains major works
by all of the above artists and many more. It is one of the most
famous museums of painting and sculpture in the world.
Art Holidays in Venice
In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the Venetian Republic
was a major power and during the 1700s Venice began to greatly
influence the art, architecture and literature of the rest of
Europe.
Today, with much of the city unchanged for 600 years, art
lovers don’t need to enter a gallery to get a sense of the
place’s cultural heritage. Holiday makers with an interest in
the Venetian school of painting should be sure to visit the
Gallerie dell'Accademia, with its many masterpieces by Bellini,
Giorgione, Tintoretto and Titian.
Despite the major impact of the huge numbers of tourists who
flock to Venice to sample its magic, the city is still a must
for any art holiday in Italy.
Art Holidays in Rome
Another major centre during the Renaissance period, the centre
of Rome is a mixture of the Renaissance and the Baroque styles.
Rome is famous for its grand 17th century squares and its huge
number of monuments, museums and artistic masterpieces.
Rome’s Borghese and Gallery of Modern Art
The city has many fantastic museums and galleries to visit on
an art history holiday, including the Borghese Gallery, with
major works by Raphael, Rubens, Titian, Caravaggio and Bernini.
Rome also boasts the National Gallery of Modern Art. Holiday
makers are always taken aback by this gallery, which houses the
most important Italian collection of paintings and sculptures of
the nineteenth and twentieth centuries including works by Goya,
Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas, Monet, Cezanne, Modigliani, Kandinsky
and Klimt.
About the Author: Kieron Sellens is the marketing manager of
the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AiTO). With
AITO’s cultural breaks
http://www.aito.co.uk/cultural-history-holiday.asp you can
choose from tailor-made art history holidays, historical tours,
musical trips and many more.
