In the Tuscany regio of Italy

 With its lyrical landscapes, world-class art, and a superb farmer's kitchen, the Tuscan experience is in symbiosis with its land.

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(in the Tuscany region of Italy) This region is a touchstone of art, food, and culture. Made up of stunning countryside and distinguished cities, Tuscany is an escape for gastronomes, cognoscenti, and Italian Renaissance fans. A bike tour through olive groves and vineyards is a way to breathe in the fine atmosphere: rolling hills blanketed with vineyards and olive trees, medieval towns, the Mediterranean coast, and delicious cuisine lure visitors, who when they think of Tuscany, the first images that come to mind may be cities like Florence or Pisa. Yet, Tuscany has been home to many influential artists and scientists. Think of Dante Alighieri, Giovanni Boccaccio, Giotto, Brunelleschi, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Galileo Galilei. The Etruscan reign lasted until 351 BCE, when Rome conquered them. The Roman Empire brought peace to the region, as well as new technologies such as aqueducts and sewers. Former Etruscan settlements were colonized, and new Roman towns were founded. The urban plan was always based on that of a military camp: square-shaped with streets in an orthogonal grid. If you look at the map of cities like Florence, Lucca, or Pistoia, you can see the square grid of the original Roman town in the city center.

+ The Roman Empire collapsed in the 5th century, after which Tuscany had to cope with many invasions, and it came under the rule of the Ostrogoths and Byzantines. By the 12th century, the area had lost its unity. Most Tuscan cities gained independence and were ruled by different aristocratic families. The Florentines became the bankers of southern Europe while also excelling in other areas, such as silk production. Siena and Lucca also became wealthy for their textile manufacturing. At the same time, the Pisans benefited greatly from their location near the sea and maritime trade routes. After Pisa lost the Battle of Meloria against Genoa, the city began to lose its power. Meanwhile, Florence bought up Arezzo. This way, the Florentines gained enough regional strength to take Pisa under their control.

+In the Renaissance period, the family that benefitted from Florence's wealth was the Medici family. The House of Medici, an Italian banking family, made their initial wealth from trading textiles. The Grand Duchy of Tuscany enabled Florence to grow: by buying the island of Elba and annexing Siena. In the light of these expansions, Pope Pius V declared Cosimo Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1569. In 1737 the last Medici, Gian Gastone, died; thus making the House of Medici extinct. Francis Stephen of Lorraine (and his descendants ruled the grand duchy until 1859 (except during the Napoleonic period).

+ After the Second Italian War of Independence, a revolution evicted the last Grand Duke. In 1864; Florence became the capital of the Kingdom until 1871, when Rome became the Kingdom's new capital.