Painting excursions

Citta di Castello - Programme A, B and E

ANGHIARI

Located in the northeast corner of Tuscany near the Umbrian border, Anghiari  is a beautiful and well preserved medieval village. Much art can be found in the Abbey church, the church of San Agostino, and the Palazzo Comunale.  The 6th Century church of San Stefano is one of the oldest in the region. An ideal place for sketching.

GUBBIO

An ancient Umbrian settlement, influenced by the Etruscans. A very picturesque, well-preserved town. The cathedral, a 14th Century Gothic structure, stands in front of the Palazzo.  It was nearby that the meeting between St. Francis and the famous savage wolf of Gubbio took place. Located in Gubbio are several good restaurants and some antique shops, and the town has a wonderful old feeling to it. 

PERUGIA

The capital of Umbria was once one of the twelve Etruscan City States. Entry to the city is made through a massive Etruscan wall within which are streets and evidence of house fronts which gives a clear indication to how the city was in Roman times. The National Gallery of Umbria contains a world class collection of paintings mostly executed in Tuscany or Umbria between the 13th and 16th centuries. There are works by Piero della Francesso, Perugino, Fra Angelico and Duccio.

ASSISI

The mystical birthplace of St. Francis. So little change has occurred that the surrounding countryside would still be familiar to him now. We will visit the Basilica of St. Francis. Pope Gregory IX laid the first stone of the Lower Basilica the day after the canonisation of St Francis on July 17th 1228. The walls of the Lower Church are richly decorated and include frescoes by Cimabue,Giotto and Lorenzetti.The Chapel of St Martin is by Simone Martini. The Upper Church is strikingly bright and filled with frescoes which emphasise its perfect proportions. This is one of Italy's most famous freso cycles, Giotto's Life of St. Francis.

AREZZO, TUSCANY

We will be visiting The Church of San Francesco which is a grand church built in the Gothic style in the 14 C for the Franciscan Order. We will see Piero della Francesca's famous fresco cycle 'Legend of the Holy Cross'. The frescoes were painted between 1452 and 1466 and is one of the masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance.

SANSEPOLCRO, TUSCANY

This is the birthplace of Piero della Francesca ,1415. It is a small walled town with many old houses some dating from the Middle Ages. We will visit the Civic Museum where we can see 'Madonna della Misericordia' and 'The Resurrection' by Piero della Francesca. The museum also has works by Bassano and Signorelli.

MONTERCHI, TUSCANY

This is a very small town. It is amazing to see a very important Renaissance masterpiece being exhibited in what was the village hall! It is Piero della Francesca's 'Madonna del Parto' which is the only image of the Madonna,pregnant, in Italian art.

ABBAZIA DI SAN SALVATORE

An 11th Century monastery, situated near Umbertide. A gastronomic dinner will be served in the unique restaurant Monte Corona. Click here and here for more details.

Citta di Castello Excursions  |  Lake Bolensa Excursions  |  Florence Excursions

Lake Bolsena – Programme C

TUSCANIA

Evidence of human presence in the area dates from the Neolithic age but probably the city was built around the 7th centry BCE.  Tuscania had a leading role in the Etruscan world. The main sights are the Church of Saint Peter begun in the 8th century (see picture of the interior) , The Romanesque church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Tower of Lavello and the Roman Fountain, Fontana delle Sette Cannelle.

VITERBO (City of the Popes)

A fascinating town with a pre-roman history. It stands in an agricultural region at the foot of Monte Cimino, and has to a great degree preserved its medieval character, particularly in its encircling walls. The oldest building in the city is the cathedral, dedicated to St. Lawrence.

TODI

Located about 50km north-west of Rome, and home to the spectacular Palazzo Farnese. This 16th Century palace contains beautiful frescoes of the Italian Mannerist school. There’s a magnificent garden with lovely sculptures.

ORVIETO

An ancient city full of winding streets, built high up on a cliff to fend off invaders. Over 3000 years old, its history is visible everywhere, from the Duomo with its ornately carved and tiled facade, to the uncovered Etruscan tombs found in the basements of some restaurants, to the Clock of Maurizio (the first of its kind to count the working hours). We will see the beautiful frescoes of Signorelli in the San Brizio Chapel, as well as the decorated columns by Maitani. This town has so much to offer – sightseeing, art history and shopping – and is ideal for painting.

Citta di Castello Excursions  |  Lake Bolensa Excursions  |  Florence Excursions

Florence – Programme D

Fiesole

We will visit The Villa Medici at Fiesole. This is one of the oldest Renaissance residences with a garden and is also one of the best preserved. The villa was completed in 1461 by Michaelozzi for Cossimo di Medici. We will also visit the church of San Domenico which as two works by Fra Angelico.

Florence

We will have two separate excursions to Florence to visit the Uffizi, The Pontevecchio Bridge, Santa Trinita, Santa Maria Novella and Santa Maria dell Carmine.

Sienna

The excursion will include a visit to The Duomo, the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia - only for the fit as there are 505 steps. Apparently worth it for the view!