10 things you didn’t know about Tuscany

Tuscany is one of the most beautiful regions in Italy where you can find endless curiosities and stories. Discover them!

13 May, 2022
curiosities, Italia, Italian cuisine, Italian specialities, Tuscany

Tuscany is one of the most disparate regions that can be found throughout the Italian country, many of the cities like Florence are testimonies of an extensive cultural heritage where the different aspects of Italian culture are made obvious. In today’s article we will show you 10 of the most interesting curiosities of this fascinating region, whose idiosyncrasy and variety have inspired each of the rooms that make up our Italian restaurant. Let’s start!

a film region

Many of the cities and landscapes of Tuscany have been portrayed in the world of cinema. Big hits like Letters to Juliet, Hannibal, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Gladiator were shot in his incredible landscapes and garnered huge success on the big screen.

A kitchen like no other

Tuscan cuisine is a highly valued type of cuisine within the gastronomic world, succulent dishes from the sea and the land such as handmade Spaghetti pici, cacciucco, panzanella Pappa al pomodoro, lardo di Colonnata… can be found throughout the region and in many restaurants. The pici pasta, in particular, is one of their most succulent specialties in the region.

Pinocchio's home

Pinocchio or Pinocchio is one of the most famous stories in the world and has its roots in Tuscany and specifically in the city of Collodi. Throughout the field you can find some samples of scenes from the work of the writer Carlo Lorenzini. This fact is not a coincidence, since Lorenzini himself spent his childhood there.

The hidden Venice

In the southeastern part of the region one of the region’s hidden gems can be found, the city of Livorno is an Italian port city surrounded by canals reminiscent of the famous Venice. It is also a city where you can also find Renaissance fortifications.

5 years of unification against the French

During the years 1865 and 1871 Florence was declared the official capital of Italy. This fact occurred during the Italian unification against Napoléon but later due to war and the reconquest of Rome by the Italians was dismissed.

There is not only the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Other leaning buildings such as the famous Church of San Nicola and the Bell Tower of the Church of San Michele degli Scalzi can be found in the region. Two architectural works of Romanesque style that are still used today as places of worship.

A town lost in time

Il Toiano is a village of medieval origin that is located near Volterra and is currently completely uninhabited. It is a point of interest for many tourists, since many original medieval buildings are preserved and you can even find a drawbridge.

Two surreal traditions

Tuscany's Medieval Manhattan

San Gimignano is one of the medieval towns in Tuscany where towers of various sizes can be found. According to local traditions, these towers belonged to landowners who competed with each other to demonstrate their power and authority based on the height they reached. Currently 15 of its 72 towers have been preserved.

a precious wine

Brunnello di Montalcino is one of the most expensive and appreciated wines in the world. The Sangiovese grapes grown in the region are known for their superb flavor and give the wine equal parts quality and longevity. The Denominazione di Origine Controllata e garantita recognizes it as an official appellation of Tuscany .