Tuscany (Road Map Italy)

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In the 16th century, the Medicis, rulers of Florence, annexed the Republic of Siena, creating the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. The Medici family became extinct in 1737 with the death of Gian Gastone, and Tuscany was transferred to Francis, Duke of Lorraine and husband of Austrian Empress Maria Theresa, who let the country be ruled by his son. The dynasty of the Lorena ruled Tuscany until 1860, except during the Napoleonic period, when most of the country was annexed to the French Empire. After the Second Italian War of Independence, a revolution evicted the last Grand Duke, and after a plebiscite, Tuscany became part of the new Kingdom of Italy. From 1864 to 1870 Florence became the second capital of the kingdom. B&B San Francesco:In a 15th Century building, this B&B in Tuscany Italy is just a short walk from Piazza del Campo. The rooms have city views, free wifi and include breakfast. Kohn, George C. (2008). Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence: From Ancient Times to the Present. Infobase Publishing. p.126. ISBN 978-0-8160-6935-4.

Montepulciano is one of the best towns in Tuscany to stay in. It gets busy during the day but most people will leave once evening comes so you’ll get to explore it without the crowds! One family that benefitted from Florence's growing wealth and power was the ruling Medici family. Its scion Lorenzo de' Medici was one of the most famous of the Medici. The legacy of his influence is visible today in the prodigious expression of art and architecture in Florence. His famous descendant Catherine de' Medici married Prince Henry (later King Henry II) of France in 1533. Days 5-6: Siena and Monteriggioni: Visit the Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena) and then wander the medieval streets as well as Piazza del Campo which is known for the Palio horse race and then explore Torre del Mangia for views of the city.The subsoil in Tuscany is relatively rich in mineral resources, with iron ore, copper, mercury, and lignite mines, the famous soffioni ( fumarole) at Larderello, and the vast marble mines in Versilia. Although its share is falling all the time, agriculture still contributes to the region's economy. In the region's inland areas cereals, potatoes, olives, and grapes are grown. The swamplands, which used to be marshy, now produce vegetables, rice, tobacco, beets, and sunflowers. [11] Industry [ edit ] Siena, a medieval hilltop town famous for its historic center, is a destination that deserves a place on your ultimate Tuscany road trip. Tuscany has a rich ancient and modern musical tradition, and has produced numerous composers and musicians, including Giacomo Puccini and Pietro Mascagni. Florence is the main musical centre of Tuscany. The city was at the heart of much of the Western musical tradition. It was there that the Florentine Camerata convened in the mid-16th century and experimented with setting tales of Greek mythology to music and staging, resulting in the first operas, fostering the further development of the operatic form, and the later developments of separate "classical" forms such as the symphony. The Lucchese School, also known as the School of Lucca and as the Pisan-Lucchese School, was a school of painting and sculpture that flourished in the 11th and 12th centuries in the western and southern part of the region, with an important centre in Volterra. The art is mostly anonymous. Although not as elegant or delicate as the Florentine School, Lucchese works are remarkable for their monumentality. The Etruscans (Latin: Tusci) created the first major civilization in this region, large enough to establish a transport infrastructure, to implement agriculture and mining and to produce vibrant art. [17] The Etruscans lived in the area of Etruria well into prehistory. [13] The civilization grew to fill the area between the Arno and Tiber from the tenth century BCE, reaching its peak during the seventh and sixth centuries B.C., finally succumbing to the Romans by the first century BCE. [18] From the Etruscans, Tuscany took the name of Etruria, Tuscia for the Romans and subsequently Tuscania and Tuscany. While the areas of north-western Tuscany were inhabited by the ancient Ligures. In northwestern Tuscany, the area between the Arno and Magra rivers was culturally aligned with the Etruscans in the early Iron Age, and came under Ligurian control in the late Iron Age. [19]

Haller, Hermann W. (1999). The Other Italy: The Literary Canon in Dialect. University of Toronto Press. pp.12–14, 25, 179, 202. ISBN 0-8020-4424-7 . Retrieved 5 May 2022.Cinque Terre is not actually in Tuscany, but in Liguria, a picturesque region located on the Italian Riviera. Known for its five coastal towns of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre is worth leaving Tuscany for! There are 15 towers throughout the charming little town and it’s super popular with people looking to experience Tuscan history and culture. Cipolla, Carlo M. (1981). Fighting the Plague in Seventeenth Century Italy. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. Often cited as one of the best Tuscany towns, San Gimignano is a super cute Medieval hilltop town complete with cobbled streets that’s well worth being on your one week Tuscany itinerary.

Day 14: Cortona: Explore the hilltop town of Cortona, made famous by the book and film “Under the Tuscan Sun”. Wander its medieval streets, visit its museums, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Montaione was my Tuscany road trip base. If you are looking for the best places to stay in Tuscany by car, I can highly recommend Montaione in the Chianti region. Did you enjoy these 13 stops for the ultimate Italian road trip? Castle-topped Minucciano and mountain-shrouded Gorfigliano Minucciano, Tuscany, Italy. A trip to San Gimignano wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its historic and lively main square, Piazza Della Cisterna. It’s surrounded by medieval buildings and is home to the Palazzo Comunale, which houses the town hall, and the Museo Civico, which has a collection of art and artifacts from the medieval period. VIAREGGIO– Viareggio is a famous seaside resort town in Tuscany with beautiful Art Nouveau architecture. Viareggio is one of the main cities of the Tuscan Riviera. Of course, I wanted to see Tuscan beaches on my road trip to Tuscany! COLE VAL D’ELSA– Cole Val d’Elsa is a cliff-standing medieval town between San Gimignano and Monteriggioni. Do you find a cliff-standing town awe-inspiring? I do! Cole Val D’Elsa was added to my Tuscany road trip itinerary!