Uzzano

A TYPICAL VILLAGE IN THE PROVINCE OF PISTOIA

Uzzano is built on a hill overlooking the Valdinievole. The historic centre dates back to medieval times and is marked by a triangle shape.

In Uzzano, during the Lombard domination, was built a majestic fortress was built around the year 1000 as a hospice to accommodate travellers along the road between Florence and Lucca. In 1832 the castle was destroyed, and today there are only few traces.

For a long time the economy of Uzzano was the cultivation of olive groves and vineyards. In 1700 it spread the breeding of silkworms while in 1900 took both the manufactories of bricks that the cultivation of flowering plants.

The old town preserves 1500 and 1600 buildings including the "Palazzo del Capitano del popolo" where now houses the municipal historical archives. The territory can still see numerous residences dating from the 1700 and 1800. "Villa del Castellaccio" is the best known, here fled Giacomo Puccini to write a piece of "La bohème".

The most important religious building is "Chiesa di San Jacopo e Martino". The parish church dates back to 1100 and keeps various works of local artists. Of value are the painting of Saint Francis with stigmata and s. Girolamo di Alessandro Bardelli and the marriage of the Virgin by Alessio Gaines. Noteworthy are also the Romanesque baptismal font of 1200 and a Renaissance statue Sant'Antonio Abate, attributed to Giovanni della Robbia.

 

Tradition and Typical produkte

Uzzano as typical products "buristo", cured meat with spices and pig's blood, and the "cenci", traditional sweets of many areas of Tuscany that here are made with "Vin Santo".

Typical of the area are also "funghi marzuolo" which are distinguished for the delicate honey-like scent.

 

Photo Credits [valdinievole.com]