The weekend of April 5 – 6 affords an opportunity for people to visit palaces and homes where Tuscan luminaries of the past lived and worked. The events, designed to retain their memories and pass it on to later generations, offers opportunities to visit, discover and learn about history and the people who made it. The events are integrated with a network of visits and special experiences. Here is a snapshot of experiences visitors can enjoy in Tuscany.
Primo Conti Foundation-Ville Le Coste (Fiesole)
Primo Conti, an important member of the Avant-garde art movement of the early 20th century, lived and worked in Fiesole. The foundation/museum now houses 63 paintings and 163 drawings tracing his artistic journey from early studies of human form to his later preoccupation of the Fauvist style are and later to Futuristic art.
Via Giovanni Dupre’, 18, Fiesole. Reservations required and can be made at the Case della Memoria website: www.casedellamemoria.it
Museum Leonardiano and Birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci
About one hour’s drive from Florence, one finds the medieval village of Vinci, famous as the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci. The museum contains reconstructions of the genius’s models, clocks, war machines, hydraulic inventions, studies on flight and much more. This is a museum for the entire family with learning experiences and activities for children. A climb up many stairs to the bell tower affords a spectacular 360-degree view. In the small hamlet of Anchiano several miles from Vinci, the birthplace of Da Vinci contains a small museum with audio video installations and high-resolution reproductions of the artist’s paintings. Set amid the stunning scenery of the Montalbano hills, the best experience to arrive from Vinci is via the Strada Verde, a half an hour easy walk from the Museum Leonardiano. Passing through olive groves and by an ancient mill, the itinerary provides a wonderful family experience which invites a picnic on sunny days.
Vinci and Anchiano, Tuscany. Hours: 10 am -7 pm. Combined ticket €13, birthplace only €4. For complete information, see website: www.museoleonardiano.it
Palazzo Datini (Prato)
Francesco di Marco Datini, a prominent merchant in the late 14th early 15th centuries, kept meticulous records and paperwork regarding his trading which reconstruct the economic history of the era. Known for implementing the first partnership system in business, he dealt in arms, luxury goods and art among other goods. The collection of documents reveals the wide activity of Datini and his interests in many European cities. He died in the house without leaving heirs, leaving his possessions to the Francesco di Marco Home and Cieppo de’ poveri (fund for the poor): “so that forever of its fruits may be fed and nurtured the poor in Jesus Christ.”
The ground floor of the palace has been turned into a museum dedicated to the history of Datini, his house and the institution he founded. In the frescoed halls it is possible not only to admire the beautiful house but also the personality of the merchant and his relationship with his wife Margherita, the economic activities and archive features he left us, the history of the building and the “Ceppo” that, from 1410, is based in the house.
Via Ser Lapo Mazzei, 43, Prato. Hours: Saturday 10 am -1 pm and 4-7 pm. Free
entrance. For further info see website: www.museocasadatini.it
Casa Boccaccio (Giovanni Boccaccio’s House) Certaldo Alto
Writer, humorist, poet and humanist, Giovanni Boccaccio, along with Dante and Petrarch, is considered the originator of the Italian language as well as Italian literature. His most famous work, The Decameron, was written in Fiesole and Certaldo Alto.
A small villa constructed in terracotta brick, the Casa Boccaccio Museum contains manuscripts, an audio video presentation about his life and work, a library and a huge 19th century fresco of the writer. On the top floor, visitors can enjoy a view out over the Valdelsa (Elsa valley) from the loggia. On clear days, the towers of San Gimignano display their grandeur.
Getting to the picturesque Medieval village of Certaldo is a great part of the adventure. As cars are not allowed to travel to the hilltop village, one can walk the steep trails, or, better yet, take the 5-minute funicular ride up. The funiculars leave every 15 minutes from Piazza Boccaccio and guaranteed to charm adults and children alike.
Via Boccaccio, 18. Hours 10 am -1 pm and 2:30 – 7 pm. Entrance €5.
This is a sampling of the offerings of the weekend. To see further info, visit the website: www.casadellamemoria.it
(rita kungel)
