Travelling through Italian art: from the Baroque to the Renaissance

Surrounding yourself with art isn't all that difficult when your destination is as rich in creativity as Italy. Every street corner can be a work of art, something to wake up inspired and excited about every day. A trip to Italy allows you to integrate art into your daily life.

The country is a vast treasure trove of the world's best-known and best-loved masterpieces. Cradle of the Baroque and Renaissance, the beautiful boot fascinates with its grandiose, almost infinite history. From Milan to Rome, via Naples and Florence, Verona to Sicily, Italy is home to historical and artistic gems that date back to the Etruscans and Antiquity, right through to the Greek and medieval periods.

A trip to Italy means drowning in an abundance of art, from small isolated villages to major cities. You'll find ancient sites, medieval villages, magnificent churches, exceptional frescoes and mosaics, renowned museums, UNESCO World Heritage sites and Italy's finest contemporary art and architecture. Priceless works of art that bear witness to a past of unalterable beauty.

Travellers to Italy are often mesmerised by the sheer beauty of the country, and it's no wonder that some of the world's most renowned artists have been inspired by it. The history of Italian art is often divided into three periods: the prehistoric period, with cave paintings and petroglyphs; the classical period, characterised by architecture and sculpture; and the Renaissance, which saw a revival of interest in Greek and Roman art.

From the Renaissance to the Baroque

Travelling to Italy is like stepping back in time. From the Renaissance to the Baroque, Italian art has had a profound impact on the world. A visit to Italy is not complete without discovering the most famous art museums. The Renaissance began in the 14th century and reached its peak in the 15th century. It was a period of great political, social and artistic change in Europe. Italian artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti used new techniques and perspectives to create works that are now some of the most iconic in history.

The Baroque period

The Baroque period began in the early 17th century and ended in the 18th century. It was characterised by the spectacular use of light and shade. Artists such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Caravaggio were pioneers of this movement.

Gothic and Renaissance

These two styles are the most widespread in Italian art and have a long history. They were strongly influenced by the classical world, but adopted different approaches. Gothic art is more vertical in design, while Renaissance architecture is more round or circular.

Rome

From the history of the Roman Empire to the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, Rome is one of Italy's most visited cities. In terms of sculpture, Michelangelo's Moses can be found in the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli. The Gallery of Mirrors in the Renaissance Palazzo Doria Pamphilj and the Basilica of Peter, the largest Christian basilica in the world, are two big must-sees in Italian art.

Vatican City

Rumour has it that the Vatican Museums house the largest collection of art in the world. Located in the middle of Rome, Vatican City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it is home to St. Peter's Basilica, the largest religious building in the world.

Naples

For art lovers, Naples is one of the country's most underrated regions. The city is home to some of the most incredible Gothic churches in the world. From the Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the magnificent San Domenico Maggiore. The church of Santa Chiara was built in the 14th century and has a simple yet elegant façade adorned with intricate carvings, and the interior is truly breathtaking.

Pisa

Located in the very popular region of Tuscany, Pisa boasts one of Italy's most iconic structures: the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Construction of the tower began in 1173, but due to shifting ground beneath the foundations, it began to lean as early as 1178. The Tower of Pisa contains seven bells on its seventh floor, intended to symbolise each musical note.

Florence

Florence, the home of Renaissance art, is home to a multitude of works such as Michelangelo's David, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Leonardo da Vinci's Annunciation. From the Uffizi Gallery (which contains works by Italian Renaissance artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo) to the Opera Museum, it will take at least a week to explore each collection of historic art.

Milan

Milan is the only place in the world where you can admire Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, completed in 1498. For this alone, the destination is an art must-see. No trip to Milan is complete without a visit to the majestic Duomo di Milano, one of the largest cathedrals in Italy and Europe.

Venice

When you imagine Venice, you immediately see narrow streets and waters filled with gondolas. But this beautiful city is also home to Raphael's Madonnas, Italy's oldest café (Caffè Florian), the Accademia galleries and Baroque churches.

Sicily

Sicily seems to be a living museum of ancient history, with its Greek temples and Roman theatres. Few places in Europe can match this island for the quantity and quality of its ancient remains.

👉 Agrigento's Valley of the Temples is home to some of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world. Built in the 5th century BC the imposing structures are silent testimonies to classical Greece.

👉 Segesta was one of Sicily's most powerful cities during Greek civilisation. Although its inhabitants were eventually driven out by the Carthaginians, they left behind a Doric temple that stands atop a hill overlooking the valley.

👉 Syracuse's Roman amphitheatre was built in the 2nd century AD and could once seat over 15,000 spectators. Today it is still used for concerts and other events.