 Introduction
Tuscany was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and its artistic heritage includes architecture, painting and sculpture, collected in dozens of museums, the best-known of which is the Uffizi and the Bargello in Florence, but also in many other towns and cities in the region.
Tuscany was the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Dante Alighieri (“the father of the Italian language”). Tuscany is known for its wines (most famous of which are Chianti, Morellino di Scansano and Brunello di Montalcino) and has 120 protected regions (nature reserves).
Notable tourist destinations in Tuscany include Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Arezzo, Pisa, Lucca, Barga, the Maremma, the Crete Senesi, the Lunigiana and Garfagnana areas, and the island of Elba.
History and Culture
By 200 BC, the Etruscans, after continuous defeats on the battlefield, were completely absorbed by an emerging Roman Empire. The Romans, during their time, founded Lucca, Pisa, Siena, Pistoia and Florence, and, with their roads, forts, ports, spas and other monuments left an indelible cultural, social, economic, and architectural mark on Tuscany. Like the Etruscans before them, the physical remains of the Romans also lie scattered around Tuscany, either in the form of ruins, or as museum artifacts.
Roman power had dramatically declined by AD 300, leaving their Empire weak and vulnerable. New forces began overwhelming all that had been Roman, including Tuscany. Much death and destruction was wrought, though not as much as elsewhere in Italy, but new ideas and cultural influences also flowed in. Peace was restored, at least for a time, when, during the 6th to 8th centuries AD, the Longobards, a Germanic people, established their 200 year long hegemony over northern and central Italy. Longobard Tuscany was administered as a Duchy, whose overlords lived in Lucca.
After the Longobards, Tuscan history is an intricate dance, involving a wide variety of local and foreign secular powers and the Roman Catholic Church, whose influence grew increasingly from late Roman times. In time, many Tuscan towns and cities became powerful city states, sometimes under the control of the Pope and his Bishops, and sometimes under the control of kings, princes and others lower down the aristocratic ladder.
Ultimately, Florence became the dominant Tuscan city, and it's history reflects in many ways, the history of the entire Region and the other important towns and cities within it. By the 13th century, Florence had evolved into a self-governing, oligarchical comune with banking as its most important industry. Powerful banking families emerged, and foremost among them were the Medici. By the 15th century, the “Age of the Comune” had passed, and governance rested with the Medici, or, from time to time, with other dominant families. This is the so-called “Age of the Signories”.
During this extended period, from the early 14th to the late 15th centuries, Tuscany, and particularly Florence under the knowing patronage of the Medici, gives birth to a humanistic movement we now call the Renaissance which manifested itself in art, writing, architecture, science, and of course, fashion. By the 16th century, the Medici line had burned out and others assumed power. The Duchy remained intact, except for a brief period when it fell under Napoleonic rule in the late 1790s, until 1860, when it was absorbed into the Kingdom of Italy, which, by 1948, was transformed into the modern Republic of Italy.
Places in the Region of Tuscany
Tuscany has fertile, luxuriant land. The landscapes are amazing, full of nature reserves, thermal spas and wonderful beaches. The hills are outlined with rows of vines, dotted with olive groves and cypress trees: a perfect view that leaves you breathless as you travel across Chianti country. Val d'Orcia and the nearby Val d'Elsa are just as pretty. The latter is near to Siena, on a road that runs through oak and holm-oak woods.
Further south in Tuscany, we come to the Maremma area. This is a wild, unspoiled area, protected by the Nature Reserves that protect the environment. Maremma also has wonderful beach, lapped by the crystal clear, blue seawater and with its nearby islands: Capraia, Elba and il Giglio. Tuscany's thermal spas, used since ancient times for well-being and cures, are also not to be forgotten. Some of the most important spas where the waters have beneficial properties are Saturnia, Chianciano Terme and Pitigliano.
Events
Pisa celebrates its patron saint in a regatta with each boat containing eight oarsmen representing the four areas of the city: St. Martino, St. Antonio, St. Maria and St. Francesco. The competition is held on the Arno along an upstream stretch of 2 km. The night before, the famous Luminara of San Ranieri is held in which thousands of candles are hung from the buildings by creating a spectacle of rare beauty. Thousands of locals crowd along the Arno to see the fireworks at midnight.
Gioco del Ponte. The last Sunday of June sees the renewal of the challenge between the two banks of the Arno: Tramontana and Mezzogiorno. On Mezzo Bridge, the 6 teams from each hamlet challenge each other by pushing a heavy, 70 ton cart on a 50 meter rail over its opponent’s line.
Palio of the Ancient Marine Republic, September 2006. - Pisa
Since 1955 this race commemorates the ancient rivalry between the marine cities of Medieval times which dominated the Mediterranean: Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa and Venice. The boats are identical with eight oarsmen each. They only differ in color and emblems. The race takes place each year in one of the four cities and 2006 will be Pisa’s turn to hold the race.
The International Festival of Holy Music - Pisa
Piazza dei Miracoli, from 14/09/2005 to 29/10/2005. The International Festival of Holy Music takes place in the cathedral and is the most important event of its kind in Italy. It presents important compositions in holy music performed by the best Italian and international symphonies and choirs.
Pisa Vini, last weekend of November. - Pisa
The exhibition, which is held in the Convent of Santa Croce is dedicated to the production of white and red wines from the province of Pisa. A rich and complete exhibition on local wine production and everything it entails: tastings, accompaniment with traditional cuisine and the promotion of Pisan gourmet products.
Volterra A.D. 1398, last week of August. - Pisa
A unique occasion to immerse oneself in the magical atmosphere of the Medieval, in one of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany: Volterra. The best manifestation is the “Giornata di Festa nell’Anno Domini 1398”: from dawn till dusk the historic center is reconstructed to appear as the medieval city in 1398 with markets, craftsmen, musicians, jewelers, commoners and nobles.
Effetto Venezia - August - Livorno
Effetto Venezia is a summer festival with dozens of small and large-scale initiatives. It is named for the old quarter where it is held, built along the Medicean canals. The event includes many initiatives which animate the quarter: stalls of artisans and collectors, street performers, acrobats, exhibits and charming boat rides in the canals.
Accademia Navale e Città di Livorno Trophy - April - Livorno
A various category sailboat race held in the sea in front of the Navy Academy. The race has increased in size and now involves competitors from all over the world, with an average of 500 crews. Performances, exhibits and concerts accompany the event for the entire week.
Palio Marinaro - July - Livorno
Palio Marinaro is Livorno's main rowing race. The Palio Marinaro is raced the second Sunday in July in the sea in front of Terrazza Mascagni. The city's quarters challenge each other for the prize on 10 oar “gozzi”, typical 10 meter boats. The event concludes with the award ceremony for the crews and a great city party.
Palio di Siena - July, August - Siena
The Palio di Siena goes back to far off times: each summer, starting in the 14th century, a big horse race was organized that crosses the entire city, starting from Porta Camollia and ending at the Duomo. Around 1500, all 42 “contrade” of the time were called upon to take part in the Palio, each characterized by different colors and standards. In the 17th century, the event was transformed, from a horse race across the city to a race around . Only 10 of the several contrade could take part, in order to avoid dangerous accidents. The Palio is still an event that involves all the Siena inhabitants, who get busy with the preparation many months before the race, which attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world each year.
International Short Film Festival - November - Siena
The International Short Film Festival was set up in 1995 with the aim of promoting short films by Italian and foreign artists. This event is now so successful that it attracts not only many cinema industry workers from all over the world, but also a large crowd of enthusiasts.
The oil and wine week - February - Siena
In February there is a traditional gathering in Siena for extra-virgin olive oils and quality wines from Tuscany, organized by the Enoteca Italiana and the National Oil City Association. A whole week is dedicated to oil and wine, during which workshops, free tasting and conferences are organized.
Ferie delle Messi in San Gimignano - July - Siena
A celebration from the Medieval period that is held in the streets and squares in the city: stalls are set up with food and wine products such as oil, wines and saffron, and also with local crafts products; there are story tellers, traveling theaters, archers and lots more too. On the last Sunday afternoon of the festival, a horse-riders' parade is organized with a final tournament.
March/April - Cortona
Exhibition & market for Val di Chiana beef - Piazza Chateau Chinon, Camucia (March 25, 2006)
Good Friday - evening procession from Spirito Santo at ~21:00 (April 14, 2006)
Easter Tuesday - procession at Duomo at ~17:30 (April 18, 2006)
Antique auto race up the hill from Camucia to Pza. Garibaldi in Cortona. - (April 29, 2006)
Tulip Festival - Castiglione del Lago (PG). - (April 25, 2006)
Open Exhibition of works by student artists in the University of Georgia's Cortona Program - Palazzo Casali (April 7-9, 2006)
Colata dei Ceri e Offerta dei Ceri - May 19/20 - Cortona
Colata dei Ceri (May 19 in Piazza della Repubblica) e Offerta dei Ceri (May 20 in Piazza della Repubblica) a S. Margherita - period (medieval) costume processions (based on a Cortona Statue dated 1325) on the weekend evenings preceeding the feast of Santa Margherita (May 21, 2006). Friday & Sat. preceeding Ascension; usually the Saturday & Sunday prior to the Giostra. (May 27 & 28, 2006).
Corsa dei Ceri - May 15
In Gubbio [Umbria]). A race with giant candles to Chiesa Sant'Ubaldo. On the eve of Sant'Ubaldo's Feast Day (St. Ubaldo is Gubbio's patron saint).
Giostra dell'Archidado - May 27-28 - Cortona
Historical recreation of AD 1397 archery contest between the quintiere of Cortona in celebration of the wedding of Francesco Casali & Antonia Salembeni in that year.
Tuscan Sun Festival - Aug 05-20
Music, film, & art festival
Cortona Antiquaria - August-September - Cortona
The Cortona Antiquaria antiques fair is housed in the 18th century halls of Palazzo Vagnotti and Palazzo Casali from the last Saturday in August to the second Sunday in September.
International Political Satire Festival
Forte dei Marmi is unanimously considered the capital of political satire: more than 35.000 visitors every year, more than 200 cartoonists from different countries participate in the exhibition.
Carnevale di Viareggio
Carnevale di Viareggio, or the Viareggio carnival, is one of the largest and most celebrated in Italy; over a million people attended last year. February in the Versilia town of Viareggio.
SUMMER EVENTS: Lectures and performances form La Versiliana Festival - www.laversilianafestival.it - while Giacomo Puccini's famous operas, like “Madame Butterfly” are performed open-air in nearby Torre del Lago, where he composed many of them - www.puccinifestival.it In September, La Capannina hosts Premio Internazionale Satira Politica - www.museosatira.it, with awards for international political cartoons. Fireworks accompany the feast of Forte's patron saint, Sant'Ermete, on Aug. 28.
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