The Convitto Nazionale Cicognini is the oldest educational institution run by the State in the city of Prato. Founded in 1692 by the Jesuits, it was for centuries a font of culture and education to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in the Kingdom of Italy (now the Italian Republic). For three centuries men of letters, statesmen, poets, …
The planned intervention involved meticulous conservation and restoration of various parts of the building extending from the original painted decoration to the areas hidden by recent whitewashing. It includes floors, and doors and window frames and has been carried out with technology that ensures the preservation of the unique charm of this magnificent palace, now …
There is little and fragmented information to be had of Palazzo Vestri in Piazza del Duomo, once the hotel “Star of Italy”. Almost nothing is known of the period before the nineteenth century, but there is some information for the period following. The current configuration of the palace dates from the years 1820 -1830 when existing buildings …
The name Rocca Cebaia refers to a ruined monument located at an altitude of 366 m, situated In the Val di Bisenzio. It was a check point in medieval times sited as it is, along the Apennine way that runs from Prato to Bologna. Today the fortress consists in the foundations of a central tower and …
Tracing the chronological history of this church, and explaining changes to the building through the centuries was not simple for lack of reliable documentation. The earliest records date back to 1474. In 1596 indirect entries refer to the existence of a document that mentions the consecration of the high altar in 1474. In 1585 we …
The Church of Saint Peter in Cavarzano is located in the hamlet of Cavarzano, Vernio, in the province of Prato. This large neo-Romanesque church dominates the town. It was built to a design by Raffaello Franci between 1928 and1930, in sandstone and brick, after the demolition of the old church. The bell tower in nineteenth century style, …
The building called “Palazzo Venera” and today property of the university, is located on the eastern side of Via Santa Maria, a short distance from Piazza Cavallotti (formally Piazza Stellino). The palace is on four floors. Each floor has eleven window openings regularly spaced, although a change in the placing of the windows in the southern …
The church of the ArchIconfraternita of the Misericordia, Prato, located in Via Convenevole, is part of the ancient Benedictine monastery of San Michele, founded in about 1330 by monks who moved there from Ponzano near Mezzane. In the mid-nineteenth century, the Benedictine monks left the monastery to move to Saint Clemence. The name of San Michele …
The Basilica of St. Francis is an important church in Arezzo, famous for the cycle of frescoes by Piero della Francesca which adorn the chapel of the high altar. They tell the story of the true cross. The Basilica is historically the second church dedicated to St Francis in Arezzo. The first was outside the walls …
The church of Santa Maria Nuova is located in Cortona, near Arezzo in the Diocese of Arezzo – Cortona – Sansepolcro. Designed by the architect Battista Cristofanello, the building of the apse began in 1550. On his death in 1553 the project was taken over by Giorgio Vasari who made side entrances to he church and …
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