Hidden Tuscany: Unusual Destinations and Secret Places [Hardcover]

Cesare Cunaccia (Author), Massimo Listri (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 2000

Though most often associated with the Renaissance and with the famed Uffizi and Galleria dell'Accademia, the artistic heritage of Tuscany is actually quite diverse-with Baroque and Mannerist influences as well as Renaissance-and the artistic wonders go far beyond these two renowned institutions. Hidden Tuscany explores the varied influences and unique history of the region, revealing Tuscany's hidden gems. With glorious color photography and engaging text, Hidden Tuscany brings readers to the lesser-known sites-to the gardens, villas, museums, and churches often passed by on traditional tours or in other books on the area.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Cesare M. Cunaccia is a Venice-based historian whose published works include exhibition catalogs, articles for magazines such as Architectural Digest and Antiquariato, and Rizzoli's Italian Parks and Gardens (1996).

Photographer Massimo Listri lives in Florence. He was the photographer for Rizzoli's Italian Parks and Gardens (1996).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli; 1st edition (February 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847822230
• ISBN-13: 978-0847822232
• Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 9.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #459,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely delightful., August 12, 2002

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Cas (the Idaho mountains) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hidden Tuscany: Unusual Destinations and Secret Places (Hardcover)

This large but not-too-thick book details a number of beautiful and little-known places in Tuscany, ranging over the entire region. This isn't actually a travel book per se -- it doesn't tell you contact information, for example, or even if these places are open to the general public. It does, however, tell you about places in Tuscany that tourists probably never ever get to, to wit: The Refuge of the White Monks at Monte Oliveto Maggiore, built in 1313, with its vaulted white halls filled with frescoes of cats and mounted archers; the lush, almost surreally beautiful gardens of Villa Garzoni in Lucca; the thousands of treasures of all sorts in the Museum of Silver in Palazzo Pitti; the Florentine Botanical Museum; the inlaid treasures of the Museo delle Pietre Dure, including shots of inlay artists at their craft; a silk factory; and many other things, probably 30 to 40 in all. The pictures are lavish and beautifully made, and the text is lyrical and pleasant on the eyes. I'd never even heard of ANY of these places, so reading this book was quite a delicious experience.

I wouldn't get this as a serious travel guide, but it piques the imagination. There may be things here you'll want to find on your next trip to Tuscany.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Treasures We Don't Know in Tuscany, January 27, 2004

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden Tuscany: Unusual Destinations and Secret Places (Hardcover)

HIDDEN TUSCANY: UNUSUAL DESTINATIONS AND SECRET PLACES is a title that explains this beautiful book well. Even to the traveler who frequents Tuscany often there are little known but extraordinary treasures that author Cesare Cunaccia and photographer Massimo Listri unveil in a most conversational and sensitively visual display. Yes, it takes many visits to Florence, Sienna, Lucca, etc to see absolutely everything found in the art history books, most of which is in the confines of the Uffizi in Florence and even more of which is reflecting the rich Renaissance era of art. The lines just to see Michelangelo's David, for example, attest to their well-won popularity. But this book points out that there are great examples of the Romanesque architecture, of buildings and gardens that date back to the 1300s, that one of the best-kept secrets of Florence is its Silk Factory. For those art lovers who seek examples of the Mannerist Pontormo look no further than the lavishly illustrated section on his decor for the Santa Felicita. The magic found in the geometric designs that adorn San Miniato defies credibility. Listi is not a documentary photographer and that is a compliment: his photographs are bathed in light and shadow and are reproduced in this splendid volume with great respect for color value. For those not already addicted to the romance of Tuscany this volume will certainly weight the case for its preeminence in the traveler's world.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Where! Oh, Where! are you?, November 17, 2007

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Senior souls (Virginia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Hidden Tuscany: Unusual Destinations and Secret Places (Hardcover)

This would be a great book if they told you how to get to these places. You see something you like and don't have a clue how to get there--if you are welcome when you get there, or if it is place that requires admission fees or advance reservations. I really was disappointed.
If you just want to read about interesting places, it is fine--but if you want to go there--forget it!