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Top 10 Facts about Tuscany

Tuscany is one of the best places to visit in Italy. Tourists love to indulge in this wonderful region, especially during summer. But Tuscany is beautiful even during spring and autumn when they prepare wine in a typical and traditional way. This wonderful region in Italy is full of things to do and visit.

There are a lot of particular things you should know before visiting it. Here you will find the top 10 facts about Tuscany. Keep reading!

1. Dante Alighieri’s origins

Dante Alighieri by SalvatoreMonetti – Pixabay

Florence was the birthplace of Dante Alighieri in 1265. Yes indeed, Florence has been his home for a long time.
His real name was Durante, and he belonged to a wealthy Florentine family. He had the opportunity to study literary subjects such as Greek, Latin, philosophy and history.
During his youth, he joined the Tuscan school “Dolce Stil Novo”.
He was very interested in Florentine politics, he followed the Guelphs.

Among his many works, we remember The Divine Comedy divided into 3 books: Paradiso, Purgatorio and Inferno.

2. Tuscan wine

Wine by 3938030 – Pixabay

Tuscany is famous all over the world for its excellent food and wonderful wine which is produced following the Tuscan traditions.
Among the wines we remember the Chianti Classico, the very good Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Tignanello, Le Pergole Torte, Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano and many others.
During your trip, visit the Tuscan cellars and take your favourite bottles home with you!

3. Tuscan food 

Food by TheAndrasBarta – Pixabay

The Tuscan food traditions are many and different in some cases.
Among the favorite foods of all we remember: the pappa al pomodoro, the ribollita, the panzanella, the castagnaccio and the lardo di colonnata.
You cannot miss the sandwich with the “lampredotto” also known as the abomasum of slaughtered cattle. A poor dish but loved by almost everyone!
I recommend you to taste the famous pappardelle with wild boar ragout!

4. Tuscan bread

Bread by Pexels -Pixabay

Instead, Tuscan bread is different from the normal bread you will find in the rest of Italy.
Yes, exactly. It is particular as it is prepared without the use of salt and for many, it is also considered “pane sciapo” (aka saltless bread) or also known as “pane sciocco” which literally means “foolish bread”.
They say that once the salt had a very high price and people could not afford it to prepare bread.
Tuscan love to serve it with some “lardo di colonnata” on top or with Panzanella tomatoes.

5. Unesco World Heritage Sites in Tuscany

Photo by Skitterphoto – Pixabay

Tuscany’s wonderful places are protected by Unesco.
Yes! Here you will find 8 Unesco World Heritage Sites. Such as:
Florence historic center, Pisa’s Piazza del Duomo, San Gimignano historic center, Siena historic center, Pienza historic center, Val d’Orcia, Medici villas and gardens, The Great Spa Towns of Europe, including Tuscany’s Montecatini Terme.

6. Tuscany in the movies

Road by alohamalakhov – Pixabay

You can see some wonderful parts of Tuscany in many movies. The most known worldwide are:
The Gladiator (Val d’Orcia) Twilight – New Moon (Montepulciano)
Life is Beautiful (Arezzo)
Under The Tuscan Sun ( Cortona)
Quantum of Solace (Siena and Carrara)
Letters to Juliet (Siena, Montalcino)
The English Patient (Pienza, Viareggio, Lucca)
A Room With A View (Florence) and  Hannibal (Florence)

7. Pecorino cheese

Cheese by 27707 – Pixabay

One of the typical Tuscan cheeses that are very famous and tasty (and many times copied from foreign countries) is pecorino.
You will find excellent pecorino cheese in any Tuscan area but the favourite remains that of Pienza.
At Pienza, you will find many small shops selling the typical and artisan products of the area. So don’t forget to bring home some vacuum-packed pecorino cheese and good wine for your friends and relatives to try once they get home.

8. The three leaning towers in Pisa

Pisa by Walkerssk – Pixabay

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is not the only wonder to be admired once in Pisa.
There are two other towers in Pisa and they too are inclined.
The other two are the bell tower of San Nicola and that of San Michele Degli Scalzi. Many people don’t know about the other two leaning towers of Pisa. Take a picture and let everyone know about them!

9. The geography

Tuscany by evondue Pixabay

Tuscany is mainly composed of mountains and hills. It is believed that 25% are hills and 65% are mountains.
For this I recommend you to rent bicycles with pedal assistance or to rent the famous Vespas produced in Tuscany.
You must know that Tuscany measures like New Jersey or Israel but with the difference that there are fewer people living there.

10. The Tuscan islands

Island by Barabara Bonanno – Pixabay

Tuscany is characterized by the presence of some islands and that I absolutely recommend you visit during the summer.
Among the islands we remember: Giglio, Elba, Capraia, Montecristo, Pianosa, Giannutri and Gorgona.
Legend has it that the divinity Aphrodite had lost seven pearls of her necklace in the sea and that the seven Tuscan islands of the archipelago were born from there.