Montecatini Terme Italy

Montecatini Terme - The balneal a resort at height of 29 m, in 38 km from Florence, in 47 km from Pisa, in 283 km from Milan, in 320 km of Rome, in a historical province of Pistojja (a part of Tuscany). It is located at feet of the Apennines, in a river Nevole valley (the right inflow of the river Arno). District name valdinovole - «the Valley of fogs» - underground waters, evaporating, form to a smoke by which all is impregnated. The ancient small town in heart of Tuscany long since is famous for the mineral sources, but for the first time their medical properties have been described in 1417 in the treatise «De Balneorum Italiae proprietatibus» by Ugolino yes Montekatini, the professor at universities of Pisa, Florence and Perugia, later the recognised founder of the Italian balneology.

Resort building is conducted since 1733, is especially active with 1800 on 1900 Many buildings are constructed by known architects in Steel Svobody (Modernist style) and represent the big art value. In Montekatini Juseppe Verdi liked to have a rest. In 1930 opening «Teatro giardino Le Terme» (nowadays Verdi's Theatre) where "Aida" for the first time has sounded has taken place. Since 20th years - the popular vacation spot of aristocrats and politicians - then have found out that water well influences activity of a stomach and brings huge advantage of a liver. Nowadays Montekatini the Term - one of the most known balneal resorts of the country of the international value. The basic medical factors. In Montekatini the Term eight sources thermal (to 34°С) hloridno-sulfatno-natrievyh waters (including radonic). All of them make the way from depth about 1000 metres and leave on a surface in one place - at bottom of a hill of Ponteraje. Waters from five sources it is used for drink, and from three others - for mineral baths and mud cure.

However the main value of a resort - waters for drinking treatment - water of some sources well influence work of a liver, an intestines and kidneys. Various baths, hydromassage, mud cure, physiotherapy, in thermal pool are widely used. On a resort the most unusual sun deck - sunbathe, being in a bath with thermal water.
Nine spa - the downtowns, located in a green park zone, have allowed to become it the main resort of Italy and one of leaders in Europe. In the thermal centres highly skilled doctors-experts work, and all personnel speaks on several foreign languages. Centro Excelsior offers various programs of beauty. The basic indications for treatment. Diseases of digestive organs, the oporno-impellent device, metabolism infringement. Treatment by waters of Montekatini is recommended at illnesses of joints and digestive system, and also at metabolism infringements. Placing.

Montecantini- the biggest city-resort in Tuscany, can accept simultaneously 12 000 visitors. In a city of 220 hotels of a various category, but all are proud of high quality of service as hospitality is a tradition since Verdi. The choice of hotels is very great: from small boarding houses to five-star hotels. The increasing hotels are equipped by own medical centres. Spas-hotels are created that you walked with a healing water glass. Except highly effective medical means, the small town offers the visitors the calmness which is the important component of thermal treatment. Leisure. Sports. Open pool, soil tennis courts, exercise rooms, the fitness centres, a golf course, riding, a sports shooting range. Conference halls. The historical part of small town - Montekatini Alto - is located at top of a high hill, the fascinating kind on a vicinity whence opens. (It is possible to Rise here on a cable car.) Here many interesting places of interest - for example, church the Carmine with an altar board of XIV century and excellently saved medieval fortress. In an hour of driving Vinci's small village where Leonardo da Vinci was born.

Sienna Italy

Siena is located on hills between valleys of three rivers: Arbia, Elsy and the Mercedes. It speaks shattered, a little chaotic lay-out of a city - Siena persistently keeps the medieval shape got by XIII century.
All city roads conduct to a central square of Kampo. Its space repeats the ancient theatre form, going down to the Palace-komunale, or Palatsts-Publiko, and this area reminds inhabitants a raincoat of Maiden Maria (the patroness of Siena), spread over a heart of the city. Anyhow, Kampo is recognised by one of the most beautiful areas of Europe. It is paved by a stone of different shades and divided by strips into 9 sectors, in memory of that time, when a city of rules «Council of Nine». Two times a year, on July, 2nd and on August, 16th, on Kampo pass the well-known historical jumps of Palio - the tournament which has become by the card of Siena.

On the area of Kampo the source "Pleasure" constructed in 1419 under the project арх is worthy. Eacopo De la Cvercea. The first fountain on this place has been built in 1343, after a year after to the centre of Siena have spent potable water from Stadzhii, arriving on numerous underground channels.
The first building on the Palace-publiko place has been constructed in 1284 under the project Paolo-Tommazo Montauri. However in 4 years Council of Nine has decided to erect new, more representative building for city administration. In 1310 Council has accepted not completed palace, and members of city administration lived in the residence within two months almost permanently - so in the Middle Ages struggled with corruption. The top circle of a facade decorates the big solar disk with the monogram of the Christ. And with two circles the arms of a family Medici reminding of joining of Siena to Great duchy Tuscan more low flaunt. The left part of a facade is closed by a belltower nicknamed "Extravagant woman", or "Glutton". The name the tower has received from Giovanni di Balduchcho on a nickname of Mandzhagvadani - «devouring earnings». Brothers of Franchesko and Muchcho di Rinaldo from Arezzo have erected a tower. Its height with a lightning rod is equal 102 m. to rise on a viewing platform, it is necessary to overcome 500 steps

The ramparts, one of the numerous rests of medieval blossoming of a city, still crown the hills surrounding mild Siena. Numerous brick colour of a building have given to the world "burning a sienna", and culture blossoming has received the name Siena schools in 13 and 14 centuries. The plague both severe board Viskontov and Medici have promoted city decline, and in 1348 during epidemic of a plague of 65000 their townsmen 100000 have died. The cathedral of Siena with its black-and-white marble strips on a facade is an amazing masterpiece. Palaces, the areas, art collections, museums and churches are scattered on all ancient city which can be bypassed on foot, and do Siena attractive to visitors.

The area of "Four corner".
From the area of Kampo to a cathedral conducts descent of Kostarella dei-Barberi, on this street result and withdraw racers at competitions of Palio. On the area before a cathedral it is possible to get several ways, thus difficultly to pass the street Chitta, one of the most beautiful streets of Siena. Here palaces are located, there is no time belonging to the local nobility. Constructions concern the different historical periods, Street comes to an end on square Posterla, or the area of "Four corners». It is decorated by a bronze fountain with the image of an eagle ("Eagle" belongs a counterhell), It is one of 17 fountains (on number the city counterhell), here passes blessing of horses before jumps. It is literally two steps away from «Four corners» there is a square Duomo on which the bulk of one of the most beautiful church constructions of Italy, constructed in romano-Gothic style towers. Officially Duomo has been consecrated in 1179 In honour of Rise of Maiden Maria, but civil work proceeded some more centuries. So, for example, the dome has been finished in 1263, and an intricate facade only by the end of XIV century Nearby in 1339 have decided to construct a new cathedral which would eclipse luxury and in the sizes Florencean and the Site-marija-del-fore. Separate parts of this construction, but the plague which has fallen to Siena in 1348 have been erected, has carried away the urban population most part. In 1357 the city government has decided not to renew civil work and has ordered to disassemble already ready walls which were in an emergency condition. Columns of three naves, not complete facade and a part of the left wing adjoining the operating cathedral have till today remained. To the left of a temple the Palace of the archbishop is located. Till 1600 here there lived the rector of the Museum of a cathedral and local canons, therefore has been decided to connect a palace to a cathedral a small loggia to pass in church, passing street.

Round Siena
Podzhibonsi - the place with the strange name has two names and two lines of destiny. Can seem strange that the city stretched on plain, is named Poggio Bonizzo - «a good hillock», but this geographical funny thing is quite explainable. In ancient times the small settlement in a river Elsa valley was called as Borgo-Marturi. Through it there passed border between Siena and Florence. For a boundary advanced post opened arrangement Borgo-Marturi has appeared rather unprofitable, therefore for defence strengthening of Siena the earths has been decided to construct one more strengthened city on the next hill: it, also Podzhibonsi named. More centuries Florentines achieved tearing away of this fortress to own advantage, but townspeople preferred to consider themselves as citizens of Siena. Eventually, invaders have razed Podzhibonsi to the ground, and without having managed to subdue local residents. In 1270 The survived defenders of border have got over on an old place in a valley and have brought with itself a military banner of Podzhibonsi and a name. Monterigone- the nearest the neighbour of Siena. In «the Divine comedy» Dante mentions 14 terrible towers and unapproachable walls of a city. Powerful bastions and nowadays make frightening impression, especially at night when special illumination does a city similar to a witch's castle. Defenders of Monteridzhoni had to reflect time and again attacks of the Florentine republic in a valley of Kjanti. Business has reached that townspeople are compelled, were to disassemble some towers of a fortress to secure itself against the casual stones falling from walls under blows of the Florentine artillery. In the beginning of XX century the disassembled bastions have started to erect anew, but money has not sufficed, and then has decided to restore only that part of walls which is turned to road Kassia, that is western that the passing could receive the fullest impression of unapproachable Monteridzhioni. To great disappointment of local residents, not so long ago between Siena and Florence have laid the new line which is bending around a fortress from opposite (east) party so estimate the present beauty of MonteYoridzhoni now any traveller can not.

Horse Palio in Siena
In Palio take part 10 counterhell from 17. Seven are defined at once are what did not compete last year. For three others a month before races spend a toss-up. The month which has remained before competitions all Siena prepares for treasured jumps. In churches pray for talent of this or that victory a counterhell. The area of Kampo cover with a thick layer of the earth that hoofs of horses did not slide on a stone blocks. The central part of Kampo fence for spectators, erect judicial tribunes and «Places of Prior». In total area is capable to contain to 40 thousand spectators. Four days prior to Palio (this day is called the Bill of exchange) racers register and spend trial arrivals. Captains a counterhell discuss each horse and vote, choosing, thus 10 horses who represent to the people on the area of Kampo. On a lot define, to what area, what animal will get. From the Bill of exchange and prior to the beginning of Palio of a horse do 6 trial arrivals to keep the necessary shape, and at the same time captains a counterhell select equestrians. Tactics of carrying out of arrival and other cunnings, clear only to participants is discussed. In day Palio since early morning are served in various city districts of a mass, horses and equestrians receive the blessing, in cathedral соборе the archbishop of Siena holds service. The parting word for conquerors sounds so:« Go and return the winner ». The holiday begins with procession in which representatives of all 17 counterhell, and also members of the various organisations and associations, students, art workers and arts take part. Closes parade« a fighting chariot », harnessed by the bulls, carrying Palio - a holiday symbol. Painted with the famous artists, this banner will be handed over a counterhell-winner, this day townspeople compete in all: the best suits, the best representation of commands, the best standard-bearers, the best drummers... At last, there are equestrians on horses without saddles, but with a whip which serves not only for management of a horse - in arrival without rules they can take advantage and against competitors. Horses start simultaneously, and competitions last few minutes, but for the kontrady-winner the holiday does not come to an end at the moment of reception of Palio. The feast on the occasion of a victory lasts some days. Usually tables cover directly in streets and the area areas. To «the Victory Supper» are invited to 4 thousand persons. Guests of honour — Prior, the Captain of counterhell and the equestrian-winner.