Pienza Cathedral

Pienza Cathedral is a Roman Catholic co-cathedral located in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Pienza. Commissioned by Pope Pius II and designed by Florentine architect Bernardo Rossellino, it was built between 1459 and 1462 as the centerpiece of Pius II's vision for the ideal Renaissance city. The exterior features a classic, symmetrical travertine Renaissance facade influenced by Leon Battista Alberti. In contrast, the interior embraces a Late Gothic layout.

Unesco: Historic Centre of the City of Pienza
RR: Monthly favourite surprise RR - August 2025
Date: July 27

San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany. Known as the Town of Fine Towers, San Gimignano is famous for its medieval architecture, unique in the preservation of about a dozen of its tower houses, which, with its hilltop setting and encircling walls, form an unforgettable skyline. Within the walls, the well-preserved buildings include notable examples of both Romanesque and Gothic architecture, with outstanding examples of secular buildings as well as churches. The Historic Centre of San Gimignano is a cultural site of exceptional value, since it has treasured its architectural homogeneity and its original urban layout and is listed by UNESCO since 1990.

Unesco: Historic Centre of San Gimignano
Many thanks Gian Luca and Raffaella!
Date: August 20

Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River, in Florence. The only bridge in Florence spared from destruction during the Second World War, it is noted for the shops built along it. Building shops on such bridges was once a common practice.

RR: Vacation RR
Date: Dec 1

Pienza

Pienza is a town in Tuscany. Built on a hill overlooking the Val d'Orcia, south of the province of Siena, Pienza is the most important example of an 'Ideal City' of the Renaissance. The central Piazza Pio II is framed by 15th-century buildings like the Pienza Cathedral and Piccolomini Palace. The latter was Pope Pius II’s summer residence and features a roof garden with valley views. West is the Pieve di Corsignano, a Romanesque church with a circular bell tower.

Unesco: Historic Centre of the City of Pienza
RR: Europe Surprise RR
Date: Dec 16

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, or simply the Tower of Pisa, is the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa, known worldwide for its nearly four-degree lean, the result of an unstable foundation. The tower is situated behind the Pisa Cathedral and is the third-oldest structure in the city's Cathedral Square, after the cathedral and the Pisa Baptistry.  The tower began to lean during construction in the 12th century, due to soft ground which could not properly support the structure's weight, and it worsened through the completion of construction in the 14th century. The height of the tower is 55.86 metres from the ground on the low side and 56.67 metres on the high side.

Unesco: Piazza del Duomo, Pisa
RR: December Alternative RR
Date: Dec 6

Assisi

Assisi, a medieval city built on a hill, is the birthplace of Saint Francis, closely associated with the work of the Franciscan Order. Its medieval art masterpieces, such as the Basilica of San Francesco and paintings by Cimabue, Pietro Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and Giotto, have made Assisi a fundamental reference point for the development of Italian and European art and architecture.
The Basilica di Santa Chiara is dedicated to and contains the remains of Saint Clare of Assisi, a follower of Saint Francis of Assisi and founder of the Order of Poor Ladies, known today as the Order of Saint Clare.

Unesco: Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites
Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Rafaella
Date: Nov 2

San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill town in Tuscany. Known as the Town of Fine Towers, San Gimignano is famous for its medieval architecture, unique in the preservation of about a dozen of its tower houses, which, with its hilltop setting and encircling walls, form an unforgettable skyline. Within the walls, the well-preserved buildings include notable examples of both Romanesque and Gothic architecture, with outstanding examples of secular buildings as well as churches. 

Unesco: Historic Centre of San Gimignano
Thanks a lot Gian Luca & Rafaella!
Date: Oct 11

Piazza del Campo

From Siena, Piazza del Campo with Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia, the principal public space of the historic center of Siena, Tuscany, Italy. It's regarded as one of Europe's greatest medieval squares. It is renowned worldwide for its beauty and architectural integrity. The Palazzo Pubblico is one of the most famous Sienese monuments. The outside of the structure is an example of Italian medieval architecture with Gothic influences.

Thanks a lot Francesca!
Unesco: Historic Centre of Siena
Date: June 16