Tuscany’s cuisine is steeped in its ancient traditions and developed around the concept of ‘cucina povera’; an approach used to prepare inexpensive meals using fresh local produce.
San Gimignano’s towers and Siena Cathedral (Duomo) are two UNESCO World Heritage sites worth exploring, while Florence’s Piccolomini Library’s stunning frescoes make for a must-see experience.
The Etruscans
Before Rome grew into what we know today as “Rome with a capital R,” an impressive civilization existed here: Etruscans were master builders, engineers and artists; their society consisted of 12 major cities joined together under an alliance governed by women. Additionally, Etruscan traders established numerous contacts throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
They contributed hydraulic engineering, temple design and religious rituals that would shape Roman society for centuries to come; while also leaving behind an astonishing legacy of art that still amazes us today.
Etruscan necropolises or cities of the dead provide insight into their beliefs about an afterlife which closely paralleled life on earth. Tombs often resembling houses were decorated with everyday objects to suggest they believed one could take the pleasures of life into another world.
Although the Etruscans no longer exist as an independent nation, their legacy lives on in Tuscany. When visiting a museum, strolling through Volterra or exploring an archeological site you will feel their subtle yet distinct presence.
Tuscany owes much to Etruscan culture when it comes to food production, specifically dairy production using sheep milk, which has given rise to classic dishes like gnocchi and ravioli that continue today as part of Tuscan cuisine. Yet their most lasting legacy may well be wine production – still popular today throughout Tuscany!
The Romans
As is well-known, Roman influence on Tuscany was immense through architecture, public works and food; but what of the Etruscans? One of Europe’s earliest civilizations, from around 8th-3rd centuries BC they built cities which laid the groundwork for early Roman art and culture – known to Romans as Tusci; these people also ruled from various locations throughout central Italy where Rome itself began.
These cultures were masters of agricultural technology and traded widely. Their art, including wall reliefs, vases and tombstones are still displayed today in museums around the world. Additionally, they introduced innovative forms of religious faith based on mutual trust between God and humanity by way of fides which eventually evolved into what’s known as Jus Divinum or divine law, which dictated what people could or couldn’t do.
The Romans gradually integrated Etruscans into their empire and overthrew their northern neighbours–the Lombards–who controlled much of Tuscany and Umbria. Additionally, they introduced an extensive network of roads across Tuscany and Umbria; many are still used today – such as via Aurelia along the coast or via Clodia connecting Rome with central Italy.
Once the Roman Empire fell, Tuscany came under various rulers – most notably Florence’s Medici family and later Napoleon Bonaparte who brought about revolutionary reforms that helped make Tuscany one of Italy’s more liberal regions.
The Lombards
The Lombards (Langobards in Latin) were an influential group of Germanic peoples that first entered central Italy between the second and sixth centuries CE as non-Roman inhabitants.
Early in the Middle Ages, they established the March of Tuscany or Duchy of Tuscany (Latin: “Marciae Tusciae”). This medieval territory in north-central Italy and part of Holy Roman Empire had Lucca as its capital city.
Wacho and his son Audoin marked a turning point for the Lombards when they defeated Gepid king Cunimund in 567 CE and converted his skull into a wine cup – becoming more powerful as time progressed. Alboin also used Cunimund’s skull as a source of drinking wine throughout his nomadic existence.
By the 8th century, Lombards controlled two major duchies – one at Lucca that oversaw much of Tuscany and Umbria; while Spoleto held much of Umbria. When these Lombards threatened Rome as a Church stronghold, Pope Gregory invited Frankish King Pepin the Short (later to become known as Charlemagne) and his son Charlemagne to clear them away.
Landulf the Old, ruler of Capua at that time, founded a new city on a hill that later came to be known as “New Capua”. Although initially flirting with an alliance with Saracens, Pope John X dissuaded him. Subsequent rulers alternated their allegiance between Christian princes and Muslim mercenaries.
The Renaissance
Long before Rome ruled, Tuscany was home to one of Italy’s most advanced civilizations: Etruscans. Their influence would become part of what defines Tuscan culture today.
By the 11th century, Tuscany had become a collection of powerful city-states that competed for economic and artistic power. Florence stood out among these city-states, thanks to being founded under patronage of an influential banker family known as Medici and becoming home for some of Renaissance art’s most revered figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
The Renaissance heralded a new age of humanism, emphasizing classical ideals of individualism and pursuit of knowledge. Renaissance artists were not limited to painting or sculpture – they also included poets, writers, mathematicians and scientists such as Galileo who sought to capture human beauty with works such as David’s statues or Botticelli’s fresco paintings of the Medici Chapel fresco paintings.
The Renaissance saw a revival of interest in antiquity, leading to scholars like Marsilio Ficino and Pico della Mirandola reconciling classical philosophy with Christian theology. Additionally, Tuscan became Italy’s standard language of education – giving way to what we now consider modern Italian.
The Baroque
The Baroque style of 17th century art combined contrast, movement, exuberant detail and rich colors to elicit awe in viewers. Originating in Rome at its start in 161BCE and rapidly spreading throughout Italy, France, Spain Portugal as well as Austria and southern Germany; Rococo became prominent during mid to late 17th century, continuing until early 18th century when more elaborate styles began appearing alongside it.
Art, architecture and interior design of this period is marked by grandeur and drama with elaborate ornamentation and gilded accents, creating an emotional style that emphasizes human conflict and passion. Notable painters of this era include Peter Paul Rubens (known for dramatic lighting depictions and realistic portrayals of mythological subjects), Artemisia Gentileschi who defied convention by breaking barriers for female artists; Caravaggio who shocked his contemporaries by his realistic depictions of human figures.
Baroque music saw the debut of concertos during this period; these complex compositions featured multiple instruments together with vocal or instrumental soloists known as soloists (arie/airs or cantatas) previously. Ensembles used gut strings instead of metallic ones common today for added timbral variation that made Baroque unique sound-wise. Modernism emerged as a reaction against Baroque excess, eliminating ornamentation altogether while often drawing criticism for excess. But in recent decades Baroque has made a comeback as architects and designers look back to history for design inspiration.
The Modern
Tuscany may be known for its rolling green hills, olive groves and medieval hilltop villages; but it’s equally celebrated for its cultural and artistic legacy. Over time, artists, scholars, intellectuals have come from far and wide to study, work and create in this beautiful region; including instruments that shape music to technologies revolutionizing science. Tuscany truly stands out as an exemplar of innovation.
Tuscany’s legacy can be found throughout its landscape: in its architecture of cities like Florence, Siena and Pisa as well as smaller towns with red clay tile roofs; unrivaled masterpieces of classical art found in churches, palaces and museums in Florence, Rome and San Gimignano; sky and hilltop colors that create unique hues like blue and gold that contrast beautifully against each other; charming hospitality offered by its people; all combine to produce a vibrant culture which inspires millions.
How did Tuscany, a small duchy with limited resources that was unable to compete directly with larger European powers for global markets and territorial control, establish such an impressive presence? In this insightful book by Brian Brege, he demonstrates how by forging effective coalitions with neighboring powers such as France or England while creating cultural, diplomatic and commercial institutions at home, Tuscany could make an impressive statement in an otherwise imperial Spain-dominated world – its results still echo today!