Tuscany is a region in Italy. The area has a size of 23,000 square kilometers and approximately 3.7 million people live there. The capital of the region is Florence. Tuscany is known for its beautiful landscape and rich history and tradition. Many artists from history come from this region or have spent time in Florence and the surrounding area. Tuscany is also considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance movement. The region is home to influential museums such as Chianciano, Uffizi and Pitti Palace.
Tuscany
Tuscany is not only famous for the art created here throughout history. The area also has a rich culinary tradition. And is famous for its wines. Including the famous Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino and Morellio di Scansano.
World Heritage in Tuscany
In Tuscany, six locations have been designated as World Heritage Sites; the historic center of Florence, the historic center of Siena, the cathedral square of Pisa, the historic center of San Gimignano, the historic center of Pienza and the Val d’Orcia. Tuscany also has more than 120 protected nature reserves. This makes Tuscany and its capital Florence a popular tourist attraction. More than ten million tourists visit Florence every year. This makes it one of the most visited cities in the world.
Renaissance in Tuscany
Tuscany, especially Florence, is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. Florence was a very powerful city in the 15th century. They conquered Arezzo in 1348 and bought Pisa in 1505 and Livorno in 1421. Florence formed a republic until the famous Medici family became very powerful and dominated the city. The Renaissance took place in Italy under these rulers. In 1494 the city became a republic again and this would last until 1512.
Famous for Art
Tuscany has a unique artistic background. Florence is world famous for the watercolor paintings made here. So famous that a nickname of Florence is the Art Palace of Italy. The presence of a large amount of Renaissance art and architecture also makes Florence a popular tourist destination. Painters such as Cimabue and Giotto rose here. The most famous names are of course Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.
Islands of Tuscany
Tuscany also has a large number of islands. This Tuscan archipelago is best known for the island of Elba. The largest island in this archipelago and the third largest island in Italy. The capital is called Portoferraio or the IJzerhaven. A real fortified city and the place where Napoleon stayed in exile as Emperor of Elba. Napoleon also built the Palazzo Mulini. He stayed here in great luxury, but the proud emperor experienced this as a captivity and managed to successfully escape the island after ten months.
The Tuscan archipelago was popular as a prison because the second most famous island is Montecristo. World famous for the book The Count of Monte Christo. Since 1970, the island has been an official Italian nature reserve and may not be entered without permission.
Famous Tuscans
The list of famous Tuscans is long and impressive, but the one without a doubt at the top of the list is Leonardo da Vinci. In the heyday of the Florentine Republic and the Renaissance he was an important and famous figure and that has not changed. This philosopher, writer, sculptor, inventor, engineer, architect and painter was a genius who excelled in all areas.
Other famous Tuscans are Francesco Petrarca (poet), Tommaso Masaccio (painter), Giacomo Puccini (composer) and Gino Bartali (cyclist).