In Italy there are almost 200 different types of bread and every region has its own specialty. Tuscany is particularly rich in kinds of bread and today they can be found made with flour obtained from cereals other than wheat, such as maize, pulses, or soy beans.
But there is one particular type which is distinctive for Tuscany, as it can’t be found elsewhere in Italy, and this is the bread with no salt. This comes from an ancient tradition dating back to the 12th Century, because of the enmity betweenPisa andFlorence. At that time the Pisans had blocked the salt trade in order to convince the Florentines to succumb. The salt become so too expensive for the Florentines and they started doing break without salt. But there is also another legend according which the Pope decided to punish people for their sins by taking away their salt trade.
This use has been keeping on over the centuries as today it is actually very suitable to accompany strongly flavored dishes of the Tuscan cuisine, such as cured meats, the famous “crostini toscani”, aged cheese and it is ideal for some tasty dishes such as the famous soups “ribollita” and the “minestra di pane”. This kind of bread is also very suitable for the Tuscan cold cuts, such as the strong and salty ham, or the finocchiona (a kind of salami with fennel seeds).
The Valdera (which takes its name from the river Era, crossing most of the region) is a less known, yet beautifully unspoiled region of Tuscany. The area is not simply an amazing natural landscape but is also very rich in ancient traditions. The production of local wines as well as a simple but tasty cuisine make of this region an ideal place for enjoying good food and wine in a natural environment.
This famous horse-race is a very special event in Siena. Despite its duration (about 2 minutes) for the people in Siena the Palio is the most awaited event in the whole year, with a long and serious preparation.
A “must to see” in Lucca is the botanical garden, contained in the historic centre, inside the walls, on a surface of more than two hectares. It was created in 1820 by Marie-Louise Bourbon and since than it offers a collection of rare plants, trees, medical plants and a pond. There are also two green houses, which host plants of African origin. Since 1920 the Orto Botanico is a property of the City hall of Lucca.
