Top Three European Cities for Art and Culture

July 25, 2014 No Comments »

Doges Palace Venice Italy

Doge’s Palace in Venice – rich in culture

If you’re thinking of heading to Europe for some amazing art and cool culture, you might not quite know where to begin. Fear not, as here is a roundup of some of the best places to head to for a city break experiencing art and culture in Europe.

Venice, Italy

A perfect city to explore on foot, and of course on gondola, Venice is rich in architecture, cuisine, art and culture. The sumptuous cathedrals, churches and palaces reflect the development of Venice society and its economy throughout different periods, especially the renaissance age.

Start your cultural journey at Doge’s Palace, a building that has been modified and adapted by every lord of the city down the years. Now it is a huge museum with a spectacular interior, and houses collections of paintings by artists such as Titian and Tintoretto.

Other wonderful museums include the School of San Rocco, Correr and Museo Marciano. No matter where you end up in Venice, you can be sure to absorb enough culture to last a lifetime.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is another city where you feel inspired and alive simply by walking around. As an example, take Tram 22 or Tram 25 and get off at Brevnovsky klaster to check out the beautiful Brevnov monastery.

Following street Satoriova, you will pass the colourful concrete high rises and walk along street Ve Stresovickach. Continue to old Stresovice and marvel at the houses there, then walk up street Sibeliova and pass the 1920’s detached houses in their rondo cubism style.

Further on you will find Prague’s magnificent castle. This is a little known walk, slightly off the beaten track, which allows you to take in a part of Prague that the average tourist rarely sees. Fabulous!

Prague architecture

Prague architecture

Oviedo, Northern Spain

A wonderfully preserved 9th century medieval town, Oviedo consists of meandering, cobbled streets lined with beautifully ornate religious architecture. In addition to the many monasteries and cathedrals dotted throughout the town that make for an awe inspiring trip, Oviedo is surrounded by luscious countryside and the Picos de Europa mountain range.

Oviedo is an ideal place to unwind and forget about the stresses of modern life. The historic quarter of the town is home to palaces including the Marquis of San Felix and the Camposagrado. Many of the buildings that overlook the town, such as the San Julian de los Prados or the Santa Maria del Naranco, are over 1500 years old.

Another site of interest is the Foncalada which dates back to the time of Alfonso III and houses a fabulous fountain. It is the only example of pre-Romanesque architecture that still remains fully intact. Many plazas are also dotted throughout the town, as well as cafe bars and a magnificent market.

Just three of the many European cities steeped in art and culture, they await to be explored by you!

 

Iris McSweeney is a retired nurse who loves traveling, cooking up a storm, reading and teaching the piano.


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