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
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
Il Palio de Sienna
The Palio is a horse race that is held annually twice a year. It is a 5-round competition in which each district (contrada) participates with a horse that represents each neighborhood. Race conditions are often pretty daring as the horses gallop across cobblestones.
Calcium in costume
It is a tradition of more than 300 years old that dates back to Florence. It is a type of primitive soccer that consists of matches of more than 60 players, all of them dressed in renaissance attire. The objective is to score the maximum number of points using all kinds of combat and fighting strategies.
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 .
End to our first article of curiosities about the Tuscany region. See you soon with new Italian curiosities!
Do you know everything about Italian cuisine? Visit our article differences and similarities between the Italian and Spanish cuisine to discover more.
