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TUSCANY (TOSCANA) REGION
Situated in Central Italy, the Region is crossed by the Apennines and with its charming scenery of rolling hills, cultivated fields, rambling farms, castles, medieval villages and magnificent villas it has become an increasingly popular tourist destination over the years.
History: Subjected to Roman rule in the 3rd century BC, Tuscany was invaded later by Goths, Byzantines, Longobards and Franks, and only with Hugo of Tuscany was the area able to achieve political and cultural unity. In 1569 the Grand Duchy was born with Cosimo de' Medici, but in 1737 the rule passed to the Lorraines, who reigned over the area until 1859. In 1860 it became part of the Kingdom of Italy and Florence was its capital from 1865 to 1870. During the Second World War the Region was a leading player in the resistance struggle against the Nazis and Fascists.
Curios: When talk turns toTuscany, its people and its traditions, it is impossible not to mention its cuisine: especially its salt-free bread, which is the ideal companion to the many savoury salamis and cheeses; bread is also the main ingredient of famous dishes such as "ribollita", a vegetable soup, "panzanella", a bread-based salad, and "fettunta", toasted bread with olive oil. Moreover, Tuscany's wines and oil are legendary and celebrated the world over. Another of the many and various specialities of Tuscany, which are difficult to summarise, is the pure white marble of Carrara, sculpted by the Greeks, Michelangelo and Henry Moore and used to build the Foro Italico in Rome and "La Grande Arch de la Défense" in Paris. Finally, there is the Tuscan cigar, a tradition born by chance in 1815 when a flood caused the leaves of an entire tobacco crop to ferment.
Tourist Itineraries:
From the countryside to the coast. Major Gities: Florence is the capital of Tuscany. Other important cities are: Siena, Arezzo, Pistoia, Prato, Lucca, Livorno, Grosseto, Pisa and Massa Carrara, capitals of their respective provinces. Art: Tuscany is unrivaled as a cradle of great art. Every town and cities has splendid monuments of art, but Florence stand head and shoulders above all. All over the region visitors can admire a terrific range of art masterpieces, dating back to the XIII-XVI centuries. One can find examples of every age and style: from the Etruscan civilization (Fiesole, Chiusi, Volterra, Populonia) to Roman monuments and ruins; from Romanesque architecture to the impressive Gothic cathedrals, to the exceptional artistic explosion of the Renaissance. Museums: Florence has preserved its masterpieces and great works of architecture over the centuries. The most important collection of paintings in the world is offered by the Uffizi Gallery; visitors can enter the very interesting Designs and Print Room; the collection of self-portraits. Great paintings can be seen in the Gallery of Palazzo Pitti, with Tiziano's and Raffaello's masterpieces. Florence also has the Museum of the Costume and the Museum of the Carriages; the beautiful Italian gardens can be admired in the Giardino di Boboli. In the Museum of the Opera del Duomo the famous "Pieta" by Michelangelo can be admired. There are also the Museum of the Bargello, St. Mark's Museum, the Academy Gallery and the Stibbert Ethnologic Museum. Pisa, an ancient Roman naval base and maritime republic, has the Museum of the Sinopie, which holds the preparatory drawings for frescoes, and the National Museum of St. Matteo. Siena is a well-preserved medieval city; here are the Civic Museum, which houses the Histories of Alexander III, the Museum of the Opera Metropolitana and the Pinacoteca Nazionale, with Sienese painting. Tradition and art are strong everywhere: in Arezzo the Gallery and the Medieval and Modern Museum can be visited . To be visited: In addition to art, Tuscany offers outstanding natural scenarios, such as the National Park\ of the Argentario and the Island of Elba. In Siena is the beautiful Piazza del Campo. In Florence are the fifteenth century ~hops on the Ponte Vecchio. Pisa has the Campo dei Miracoli, with the famous Leaning Tower. The Apuan Alps in the north offer breathtaking views of the famous white marble quarries. Beautiful, in autumn, are the dense forests of Casentino, crossed by the upper section of the Arno and Tiber Rivers. The celebrated "Chiantishire" offers not only good wine, but healthy olive oil and beautiful mansions in the rolling country. Florence is also a city for souvenir hunting, needless to say. But good bargains can be found anywhere. Siena is famous for its medieval architecture, the Palio and its beautiful churches. Pienza, Cortona, Volterra and San Gimignano are all well preserved small medieval towns. Finally, one should not miss Pisa, with its Leaning Tower, and nearby Lucca and Pistoia. As for handicrafts they may find ceramics, wrought iron, leather goods and raffia works.
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