You may have read our previous article about the great work of a non-profit Italian organization called the FAI (Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano). They launched an innovative project called ‘Luoghi del Cuore’ which is aimed at raising awareness of national cultural and historical attractions which have fallen into disrepair and require funding to restore them to their former glory.
This year the votes are pouring in and so far in 2014, a beautiful Tuscan landmark called the ‘Certosa of Calci’ is leading the way! Situated only ten kilometres from Pisa is an ancient monastery of the Certosine Order in Graziosa Valley. Founded in 1366 it began as a humble residence of monks and continued as one for several centuries.
Stay in a charming villa rental in Pisa where you can easily visit the Certosa of Calci among many other intriguing attractions in the province.
This year the votes are pouring in and so far in 2014, a beautiful Tuscan landmark called the ‘Certosa of Calci’ is leading the way! Situated only ten kilometres from Pisa is an ancient monastery of the Certosine Order in Graziosa Valley. Founded in 1366 it began as a humble residence of monks and continued as one for several centuries.
Stay in a charming villa rental in Pisa where you can easily visit the Certosa of Calci among many other intriguing attractions in the province.
In the 17th century it was bought by a wealthy family and transformed into a lavish Baroque style mansion. It was richly decorated with grand furniture, colourful frescoes, marble floors and intricately designed ceilings. There were also two chapels added to Certosa of Calci which were designed and decorated by Giuseppe Marra Terreni towards the end of the 18th century.
The inner courtyard of the Certosa of Calci is huge and can be walked across to reach a special room of the mansion which was used to accommodate nobles such as the reigning Grand Duke of Tuscany. As visitors will see, this room was especially well designed with frescoes, expensive artefacts and artworks.
The inner courtyard of the Certosa of Calci is huge and can be walked across to reach a special room of the mansion which was used to accommodate nobles such as the reigning Grand Duke of Tuscany. As visitors will see, this room was especially well designed with frescoes, expensive artefacts and artworks.
The west side of Certosa of Calci is now home to the Museum of Natural History of the University of Pisa. It’s open to the public from Tuesdays to Saturdays between 8.30am and 6.30 pm and on Sundays it’s open from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
Entry is only €5 and hopefully if Certosa of Calci wins the vote via the ‘Luoghi del Cuore’ website page, adequate funds can be used to renovate areas of it so it can be fully reopened to the public.
Come and see this lavish example of Baroque style architecture on your next cultural trip to Pisa in Tuscany!
Entry is only €5 and hopefully if Certosa of Calci wins the vote via the ‘Luoghi del Cuore’ website page, adequate funds can be used to renovate areas of it so it can be fully reopened to the public.
Come and see this lavish example of Baroque style architecture on your next cultural trip to Pisa in Tuscany!
Photo credits
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Morco83 / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Morco83 / CC BY-SA 3.0