Tag: About Tuscany

Fashion yacth

Boat building area in Viareggio

The boat building sector: fashion yacht in Viareggio
The boat building sector of the Versilia coast is, thanks to its centuries-old tradition, synonymous with quality and cutting edge technology.
The ship-building industry, with its five centuries of history, is in fact a major player on the world stage.
Thanks to the geographical layout of the Tuscan coast, with its numerous islands and the proximity to Corsica, sailing for commerce and fishing has developed since ancient times with the consequent creation for first rowing and then sailing boats, and finally motor boats. Over time the quality and reliability of these boats has reached an extremely high level.

From the 1960’s to the 1980’s, with the introduction of new materials such as fibre glass, carbon fibre, steel and aluminium, we have witnessed a real revolution, not only in the market but also in the philosophy of pleasure boat construction.
Mass production has increased and the standardization of accessories has allowed the production of boats at a more reasonable price and a consequently wider distribution of pleasure craft.
the Viareggio boat-building industry has meanwhile also maintained a production that targets the more demanding niche markets, using more expensive materials.

Today the Versilia area can boast an economy of great importance which includes, apart from the boat-building production of the large yards, also small craftsman business, created as a consequence of the decentralization of production towards tertiary companies which specialise in specif fields (electronic instrumentation, motors, furnishing, etc.)
Viareggio’s fame as home to skilled boat-builders has spread beyond Italy. In fact, 18% of the world’s luxury boats are produced there, with the presence of world-wide producers Azimut-Benetti, Rodriguez Group, Fipa Group, San Lorenzo, Perini Navi, compared with the 45% built in Italy, with a total of 7 out of the 20 producers world wide.
Tradition and high quality have led the production to distinguish itself in terms of style, elegance and high level of technology in the command and navigation systems, making the boats of Tuscany unbeatable for reliability, safety and interior design and furnishings.

Tuscan bread

Tuscan bread

The bread of Altopascio and the collective marque of “Pane di Altopascio”.
Altopascio has a particular historical and artistic importance linked to the welcoming of pilgrims who even today pass through. In fact at that point of the Via Francigena (a pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome), particulary awkward because of the two swampy areas of Bientina and Fucecchio, the “Domus Hospitalis Sanctis Jacobi de Altopassu” sprang up erected in the second half of the 11th century.

The historic centre of Altopascio, ringed by walls of which parts including theree gates still survive, corresponds to what should have been the nediaeval hospital which appeared as a real fortress.
The current three piazzas were the three inner courtyards where the various buildings were located which were used by the friars to care for pilgrims, offering them food and lodgings, and baking the famous bread. Even today Altopascio is known as the baker’s town, where they produce a bread famous throughout Italy.

The bread of Altopascio has a rectangular (bozza) or long (filone) shape, a soft consistency inside, and a light gold crust. It is made withoput salt and the weights vary from 500 g. to 2 kg.
It is produced all year round. The bread of Altopascio owes its tradition to the dexterity and axpertise to people who have gained specific experience over time, the original taste as well as the use of water from the local area.
The Lucca Chamber of Commerce owns the Collective Brand “Pane di Altopascio Tradizionale” (traditional bread of Altopascio) a pilot project for the enhancement and safeguarding of typical local products, a means of promoting the development of the local economy.

The registration of Collective Brand was obtained after a long process, to which the municipality of Altopascio first “city of bread” to be recognised in Italy, and  the province of Lucca both contributed.
The Collective Brand “Pane di Altopascio” is an opportunity for bread makers and a resource for consumers , the former if they possess the necessary prerequisites, can safeguard their own production against possible imitations, and profit from any promotional campaigns by the owner of the brand. Consumers can buy a bread with a guaranteed quality of ingredients and production process overall a higher quality than similar products.

Tuscan traditions

Tuscan traditions

An example of local history: history of Lucca economy.
At hte end of the middle ages, and at the beginning of modern era, the Lucca economy was founded in large measure on the production and trade in silk cloth, business in which Lucca had long been one of the most important centres in western Europe.
Around the provincial capital, the mostly flat stretch of land which broadned to form to so called “Six Miles” was among the most fertile and intensively cultivated areas in Tuscany, with wide grain fields bordered by rows of grapevines and occasionally interspersed with jasmine, olives and fruit trees.

Also the hilly areas and, above all the lower slopes of the Pizzorne mountains were characterised by vines and olive trees, to which began to be added chestnut trees which became more established and largely dominant in the steeper areas-such as the Garfagnana, where the difficult environmental conditions limited cereal crop production, and it was the chestnut woods (along with sheep and pigs) which became the mainstay of local food production.
The economy based on woodland and fields fed a modest local craft industry and, in the larger towns of the Serchio Valley, metal working was also practised.

The only relevant transformations to this structure occurred between the 19th and 20th centuries with the set up of the spun cotton industry in Lucca, Bagni di Lucca, Massarosa, Gallicano (sewing thread for domestic and industrial use and knitwear), and with the creation of a tobacco industry in Lucca.
The industrialisation process is continuos, broadening its territorial base in the first half of 20th century, to the point where already in 1951 the secondary sector became the most noticeable in the province with installations (apart from those in Lucca) in the municipalities of Massarosa, Altopascio, Capannori, Seravezza, Villa Basilica, Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Barga and Porcari.

Tuscan hill

Montechiari hill

The Montechiari hill
The Montechiari hill is the highest point in the municipal territory of Montecarlo, situated  on a beautiful tuscan hill(186,8 m a.s.l.). The fortified village that once stood here, with a gate, moat and bridge, was part of the defence system for the entire ridge of the hills. There was also a seven-metre high tower with a bell that rang out from the top of it.
The village was set alight by the inhabitants in December 1429 to prevent it from falling into the hands of their Florentine enemy. Today, the hillside is covered with the vineyards of the farm of the same name.

Web-site: www.montechiari.com

Events in Tuscany

Strawberries

In Camaiore the “Demetra” show of strawberry, flowers, and products of our land.

Capezzano Pianore (Mon), 21-23 May 2010
43 ° “Show strawberry, flowers and products of our land”

Treasure Island:
Demetra: the history, myth and work of agriculture in Versilia area.
It came back the trhee days dedicated to Camaiore’s ortho.

The 43° edition is inspired to the Stevenson’s novel.
At Villa The tableland, heart Capezzano, the traditional appointment with “Demetra” between exposure to flowers and vegetables, fruits and plants, floral art demonstrations and talk shows, taste trails, shows and typical products.

Free Entry.