Lajatico
Encyclopedia
Lajatico is a comune
(municipality) in the Province of Pisa
in the Italian
region Tuscany
, located about 50 km southwest of Florence
and about 40 km southeast of Pisa
. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 1,353 and an area of 72.3 km². Lajatico, sits in mainly hilly terrain (variable altitudes from 100 to 650 meters above sea level), and dominates the end of the Valdera
valley and the opening of the Val di Cecina valley.
La Sterza, one of its hamlets (frazioni), is the natural door between these two geographical areas. The Sterza, Era, and the Ragone rivers form natural borders, placing Lajatico in a very central position to reach Tuscan
cities and seaside resorts. Lajatico is however best known as the hometown of tenor Andrea Bocelli
. His annuel concerts at the Teatro del Silenzio
are attended by people from all around the world, every year.
Lajatico has the following hamlets (frazionis) associated with it: Orciatico, an ancient small medieval village; Spedaletto, a stomping ground of Lorenzo de' Medici
; Villaggio San Giovanni, and La Sterza. Lajatico borders the following municipalities: Chianni
, Montecatini Val di Cecina
, Peccioli
, Riparbella
, Terricciola
, Volterra
.
origins, but the first settlements are much more ancient. Archaeological evidence suggests (a funeral stone, some urns, terracotta vases, etc.) shows that the village is Etruscan
in origin.
The first written document mentioning Lajatico dates from 891. From then on, the Castrum Ajatici was property of the powerful Pannocchieschi family of Elci. In 1139, Ranieri Pannocchieschi gave to the Bishop of Volterra
, Adimaro Adimari, his property stretching to Lajatico and neighboring areas. In 1161, another part of Lajatico was given to the Bishop of Volterra, until Bishop Ildebrando Pannocchieschi, due to a Papal Bull
of August 1186, took over the political jurisdiction.
In 1202, Lajatico and part of Volterra came under the influence of Pisa
until 1284, when Pisa was defeated by Genoa
in the battle of Meloria
. At the end of the hostilities, Lajatico came back to the Bishop of Volterra, who brought it, together with Orciatico, Pietracassia and other castles, under the jurisdiction of the city of Florence
, which held it until the peace of Fucecchio
, in 1293. Aside from 1362, when Florence occupied Lajatico for a short time, and kept it under the jurisdiction of Pisa until 1406, when Pietro Gaetani, a Pisa noble who decided to sell out his native land, and gave the castles of Lajatico, Orciatico and Pietracassia to the Florentines. In 1434, the Florentines demolished not only the walls of the town, but also the wall and towers of the surrounding villages to punish all their inhabitants for having decided to submit themselves to Niccolò Piccinino
, who was on Viscounts of Milan
’s payroll. In 1664, the same castles with their territories were conceded as a marquisate to the Corsini
until 1776, when Lajatico annexed the municipality of Orciatico and, in 1869, also annexed part of the territories belonging to the municipalities of Montecatini
and Volterra.
1869 was also the year in which was created the Banca Popolare di Lajatico. Dr. Guelfo Guelfi founded “La società per l’educazione del popolo” to promote education, support and mutual aid among the members. In 1883 the section relating to the Mutual Aid broke away from the above mentioned “Società” to found, one year later, the “Banca Popolare Cooperativa di Lajatico”. It was the forbearer of the present and important bank operating in the area. Finally, in the past century, Lajatico was the subject of a novel entitled “Quattro notti a Lajatico” (Four nights in Lajatico), written by Augusto Gotti Lega, one of its most distinguished citizens. Another illustrious citizen of Lajatico, even if for a short time, was the father of the famous poet Giosuè Carducci.
The Parish Church of St. Leonard was built in 1275. It was too small to contain an ever-increasing number of believers and in the second half of the 19th century, it was enlarged by adding two aisles and, in 1925, a new façade. Still in 19th century it was completely restructured by Angelo della Valle, from Livorno
. Work started in July 1853 and the Church was opened Christmas Day in 1856. The present form is of neoclassical
with a nave
and two aisles and a semicircular apse
. The columns supporting the vaults of the naves are cylindrical in shape with Ionic
capitals. Inside, the Church the nave ends with a barrel vault. The high altar
, destroyed by war, was completely restructured in 1957. The frescos on the central vault, representing Jesus Christ and Our Lady of the Assumption, have been painted by the Sienese Gualtiero Anichini between 1949 and 1950. In 1952 Professor Marini painted San Giuseppe. In 1965 the pipe organ was restored (with over 849 pipes). Moreover, on the entrance wall there is a plaque saying that on August 26, 1857, Pope Pius IX went past these places. Beside it, another memento reminds visitors the moment in which his body came back and stopped in the church of Lajatico. In 1300, Pope Urban VI travelling from Genoa to Perugia
spent a night in Lajatico with his court.
Near to the Church of St. Leonard, there is the ancient Oratory
of St. Sebastian. It was built in 1520 by a brotherhood or parishioners to pray and carry out other charitable acts. Some years later a “hospital for poor people” was built which served people until 1585. Since 1946 it is known as the Chapel for the Fallen. In 2001 its façade was decorated by Paolo Maiani with his fresco entitled “Recupero di memoria,” representing the triumph of the Resurrection
.
Near the Oratory of St. Sebastian there were the remains of a noble
chapel. In 2002 it was took over by the Municipality and, after a thorough restoration, it was put at the citizens disposal as a multi-purpose hall. Inside, there is also a small Etruscan museum made of finds coming from Lajatico (a funeral urn, some amphorae, and a big funeral stone).
Probably, the present bell-tower belonged to the ancient castle of Lajatico. In 1790, the
Gottis, owners of the castle at that time, installed a public clock on it. In 1791, after having done some repairs to the walls, the magistracy of Lajatico decided to buy a clock for the tower with bell included at a price of 80 ecus. The works were commissioned to Donato Rosi from Volterra. Other work was done on the tower in 1860. In 1999 the obsolete and disused clock mechanisms were removed, repaired and exhibited in the town hall.
The Castle, placed in the very center of the town, dates back to the years before 1000
(Castrum Ajatici). Nowadays, there is almost nothing pointing to the existence of it, apart from the side facing the main square. The façade has a stone coat of arms representing the symbol of Pisa as Maritime Republic. High, on the left, a stone lion holding a shield carved with Florence’s lily. On top of the entrance door there is a double lancet window surrounded by six coats of arms; five of them cannot be recognized, but the remaining one, placed above the window, represents an eagle, probably the Gaetani’s coat of arms. In the small entrance, three stone carved scenes relevant to the battle between the Pisa Republic and Florence. Pietro Gaetani sold the castle to the Florentines in 1405 and, in 1434, and they pulled down its tower and wall as a punitive action. On the right side of the building there is the bell tower. From there, an excavation reveals the Gotti Lega’s palace.
On the town's main road, the old prison's original structure can still be seen. It came down after many changes of use: from Lajatico government seat to civil house in the 19th century. On the building, constructed in the 12th century, are still visible the coats of arms of the various lords of Lajatico.
Every Wednesday morning
Maggio Lajatichino:
Third Sunday of May
Festa della bruschetta
Third Sunday of June
Teatro del Silenzio concert
July
Village Fair
September
Feast of San Leonardo Abate
Patron saint of the town. 6 November.
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
(municipality) in the Province of Pisa
Province of Pisa
The Province of Pisa is a province in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Pisa.It has an area of 2,448 km², and a total population of 394,101 . There are 39 comuni in the province ....
in the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
region Tuscany
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
, located about 50 km southwest of Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
and about 40 km southeast of Pisa
Pisa
Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa...
. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 1,353 and an area of 72.3 km². Lajatico, sits in mainly hilly terrain (variable altitudes from 100 to 650 meters above sea level), and dominates the end of the Valdera
Valdera
As of today, Valdera is the name of an area in Tuscany comprising the following municipalities:* Capannoli* Casciana Terme* Chianni* Crespina* Lajatico* Lari* Palaia* Peccioli* Ponsacco* Terricciola...
valley and the opening of the Val di Cecina valley.
La Sterza, one of its hamlets (frazioni), is the natural door between these two geographical areas. The Sterza, Era, and the Ragone rivers form natural borders, placing Lajatico in a very central position to reach Tuscan
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
cities and seaside resorts. Lajatico is however best known as the hometown of tenor Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
. His annuel concerts at the Teatro del Silenzio
Teatro del Silenzio
The Teatro del Silenzio is an Italian open air amphitheatre which is located in Lajatico, Tuscany — the hometown of Andrea Bocelli. In 2006, Bocelli influenced the municipality of his hometown Lajatico to build the outdoor theatre, and contributed greatly towards its construction. Bocelli...
are attended by people from all around the world, every year.
Lajatico has the following hamlets (frazionis) associated with it: Orciatico, an ancient small medieval village; Spedaletto, a stomping ground of Lorenzo de' Medici
Lorenzo de' Medici
Lorenzo de' Medici was an Italian statesman and de facto ruler of the Florentine Republic during the Italian Renaissance. Known as Lorenzo the Magnificent by contemporary Florentines, he was a diplomat, politician and patron of scholars, artists and poets...
; Villaggio San Giovanni, and La Sterza. Lajatico borders the following municipalities: Chianni
Chianni
Chianni is a comune in the Province of Pisa in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 60 km southwest of Florence and about 35 km southeast of Pisa....
, Montecatini Val di Cecina
Montecatini Val di Cecina
Montecatini Val di Cecina is a small hilltown and comune in the province of Pisa in Tuscany . Located approximatively 60 km south of Pisa, the medieval town sits on the Poggio la Croce hill overlooking the Cecina Valley and the larger hilltown of Volterra, which lies just 15 km...
, Peccioli
Peccioli
Peccioli is a comune in the Province of Pisa in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 50 km southwest of Florence and about 30 km southeast of Pisa.-Main sights:...
, Riparbella
Riparbella
Riparbella is a comune in the Province of Pisa in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 70 km southwest of Florence and about 40 km southeast of Pisa.-External links:*...
, Terricciola
Terricciola
Terricciola is a comune in the Province of Pisa in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 50 km southwest of Florence and about 30 km southeast of Pisa...
, Volterra
Volterra
Volterra, known to the ancient Etruscans as Velathri, to the Romans as Volaterrae, is a town and comune in the Tuscany region of Italy.-History:...
.
History
Lajatico, as the suffix “atico” says, surely has LombardLombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
origins, but the first settlements are much more ancient. Archaeological evidence suggests (a funeral stone, some urns, terracotta vases, etc.) shows that the village is Etruscan
Etruscan civilization
Etruscan civilization is the modern English name given to a civilization of ancient Italy in the area corresponding roughly to Tuscany. The ancient Romans called its creators the Tusci or Etrusci...
in origin.
The first written document mentioning Lajatico dates from 891. From then on, the Castrum Ajatici was property of the powerful Pannocchieschi family of Elci. In 1139, Ranieri Pannocchieschi gave to the Bishop of Volterra
Volterra
Volterra, known to the ancient Etruscans as Velathri, to the Romans as Volaterrae, is a town and comune in the Tuscany region of Italy.-History:...
, Adimaro Adimari, his property stretching to Lajatico and neighboring areas. In 1161, another part of Lajatico was given to the Bishop of Volterra, until Bishop Ildebrando Pannocchieschi, due to a Papal Bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
of August 1186, took over the political jurisdiction.
In 1202, Lajatico and part of Volterra came under the influence of Pisa
Pisa
Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa...
until 1284, when Pisa was defeated by Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
in the battle of Meloria
Meloria
Meloria is a rocky islet, surrounded by a shoal, off the Tuscan coast, in the Ligurian Sea, almost opposite Livorno. It was the scene of two naval battles of the Middle Ages....
. At the end of the hostilities, Lajatico came back to the Bishop of Volterra, who brought it, together with Orciatico, Pietracassia and other castles, under the jurisdiction of the city of Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, which held it until the peace of Fucecchio
Fucecchio
Fucecchio is a town and comune of the province of Firenze in the Italian region of Tuscany. The main economical resources of the city are the leather industries, shoes industry and other manufacturing activities, although in the recent years their number has been decreasing because of a slight...
, in 1293. Aside from 1362, when Florence occupied Lajatico for a short time, and kept it under the jurisdiction of Pisa until 1406, when Pietro Gaetani, a Pisa noble who decided to sell out his native land, and gave the castles of Lajatico, Orciatico and Pietracassia to the Florentines. In 1434, the Florentines demolished not only the walls of the town, but also the wall and towers of the surrounding villages to punish all their inhabitants for having decided to submit themselves to Niccolò Piccinino
Niccolò Piccinino
Niccolò Piccinino was an Italian condottiero.-Biography:He was born at Perugia, was the son of a butcher.He began his military career in the service of Braccio da Montone, who at that time was waging war against Perugia on his own account, and at the death of his chief, shortly followed by that of...
, who was on Viscounts of Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
’s payroll. In 1664, the same castles with their territories were conceded as a marquisate to the Corsini
Corsini
Corsini is the name of a Florentine princely family.-History:The founder is said to be Neri Corsini, who came to prominence circa 1170. The family are likely to have originated from Corsica, during the time when the Republic of Pisa was ruling the island. Initially the family was known as Corso ...
until 1776, when Lajatico annexed the municipality of Orciatico and, in 1869, also annexed part of the territories belonging to the municipalities of Montecatini
Montecatini
- Places in Italy :* Montecatini Terme, health resort in Tuscany* Montecatini Val di Cecina, village and mining town to the south of Pisa*Montecatini, hamlet in the comune of San Martino in Rio...
and Volterra.
1869 was also the year in which was created the Banca Popolare di Lajatico. Dr. Guelfo Guelfi founded “La società per l’educazione del popolo” to promote education, support and mutual aid among the members. In 1883 the section relating to the Mutual Aid broke away from the above mentioned “Società” to found, one year later, the “Banca Popolare Cooperativa di Lajatico”. It was the forbearer of the present and important bank operating in the area. Finally, in the past century, Lajatico was the subject of a novel entitled “Quattro notti a Lajatico” (Four nights in Lajatico), written by Augusto Gotti Lega, one of its most distinguished citizens. Another illustrious citizen of Lajatico, even if for a short time, was the father of the famous poet Giosuè Carducci.
Historic Architecture
- Church of St. Leonard
The Parish Church of St. Leonard was built in 1275. It was too small to contain an ever-increasing number of believers and in the second half of the 19th century, it was enlarged by adding two aisles and, in 1925, a new façade. Still in 19th century it was completely restructured by Angelo della Valle, from Livorno
Livorno
Livorno , traditionally Leghorn , is a port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea on the western edge of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno, having a population of approximately 160,000 residents in 2009.- History :...
. Work started in July 1853 and the Church was opened Christmas Day in 1856. The present form is of neoclassical
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
with a nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
and two aisles and a semicircular apse
Apse
In architecture, the apse is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault or semi-dome...
. The columns supporting the vaults of the naves are cylindrical in shape with Ionic
Ionic order
The Ionic order forms one of the three orders or organizational systems of classical architecture, the other two canonic orders being the Doric and the Corinthian...
capitals. Inside, the Church the nave ends with a barrel vault. The high altar
Altar
An altar is any structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes. Altars are usually found at shrines, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of worship...
, destroyed by war, was completely restructured in 1957. The frescos on the central vault, representing Jesus Christ and Our Lady of the Assumption, have been painted by the Sienese Gualtiero Anichini between 1949 and 1950. In 1952 Professor Marini painted San Giuseppe. In 1965 the pipe organ was restored (with over 849 pipes). Moreover, on the entrance wall there is a plaque saying that on August 26, 1857, Pope Pius IX went past these places. Beside it, another memento reminds visitors the moment in which his body came back and stopped in the church of Lajatico. In 1300, Pope Urban VI travelling from Genoa to Perugia
Perugia
Perugia is the capital city of the region of Umbria in central Italy, near the River Tiber, and the capital of the province of Perugia. The city is located about north of Rome. It covers a high hilltop and part of the valleys around the area....
spent a night in Lajatico with his court.
- Oratory of St. Sebastian
Near to the Church of St. Leonard, there is the ancient Oratory
Oratory (worship)
An oratory is a Christian room for prayer, from the Latin orare, to pray.-Catholic church:In the Roman Catholic Church, an oratory is a structure other than a parish church, set aside by ecclesiastical authority for prayer and the celebration of Mass...
of St. Sebastian. It was built in 1520 by a brotherhood or parishioners to pray and carry out other charitable acts. Some years later a “hospital for poor people” was built which served people until 1585. Since 1946 it is known as the Chapel for the Fallen. In 2001 its façade was decorated by Paolo Maiani with his fresco entitled “Recupero di memoria,” representing the triumph of the Resurrection
Resurrection of Jesus
The Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus states that Jesus returned to bodily life on the third day following his death by crucifixion. It is a key element of Christian faith and theology and part of the Nicene Creed: "On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures"...
.
- Sala Polivalente (Multi-purpose hall)
Near the Oratory of St. Sebastian there were the remains of a noble
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
chapel. In 2002 it was took over by the Municipality and, after a thorough restoration, it was put at the citizens disposal as a multi-purpose hall. Inside, there is also a small Etruscan museum made of finds coming from Lajatico (a funeral urn, some amphorae, and a big funeral stone).
- The Belltower and the Clock
Probably, the present bell-tower belonged to the ancient castle of Lajatico. In 1790, the
Gottis, owners of the castle at that time, installed a public clock on it. In 1791, after having done some repairs to the walls, the magistracy of Lajatico decided to buy a clock for the tower with bell included at a price of 80 ecus. The works were commissioned to Donato Rosi from Volterra. Other work was done on the tower in 1860. In 1999 the obsolete and disused clock mechanisms were removed, repaired and exhibited in the town hall.
- The Castle
The Castle, placed in the very center of the town, dates back to the years before 1000
(Castrum Ajatici). Nowadays, there is almost nothing pointing to the existence of it, apart from the side facing the main square. The façade has a stone coat of arms representing the symbol of Pisa as Maritime Republic. High, on the left, a stone lion holding a shield carved with Florence’s lily. On top of the entrance door there is a double lancet window surrounded by six coats of arms; five of them cannot be recognized, but the remaining one, placed above the window, represents an eagle, probably the Gaetani’s coat of arms. In the small entrance, three stone carved scenes relevant to the battle between the Pisa Republic and Florence. Pietro Gaetani sold the castle to the Florentines in 1405 and, in 1434, and they pulled down its tower and wall as a punitive action. On the right side of the building there is the bell tower. From there, an excavation reveals the Gotti Lega’s palace.
- The Municipal Palace
On the town's main road, the old prison's original structure can still be seen. It came down after many changes of use: from Lajatico government seat to civil house in the 19th century. On the building, constructed in the 12th century, are still visible the coats of arms of the various lords of Lajatico.
Other Main sights
- Villa di Spedaletto
- The Springs (The Fonti) were the most important water supply for the castle in Lajatico. Due to their large discharge, in 1783, Gonfalonier Ottavio Gotti decided to enlarge them making a trough for animals and some baths to be used as public washtubs. Originally, they were equipped with wood-roofing and curved tiles that, later were destroyed.
- Municipal Theatre was created in the latter half of 19th century by the “Società per l’educazione delPopolo.” It is a simple oblong structure with a wooden stand and a 7 meter deep stage. In World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, all its activities were stopped to use it as warehouse. In 1958-60, after having been partially restored, it became a cinemaMovie theaterA movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
. The Municipality bought it in 1996 and restored it completely, embellishing it with very particular trims and decorations.
- Teatro del SilenzioTeatro del SilenzioThe Teatro del Silenzio is an Italian open air amphitheatre which is located in Lajatico, Tuscany — the hometown of Andrea Bocelli. In 2006, Bocelli influenced the municipality of his hometown Lajatico to build the outdoor theatre, and contributed greatly towards its construction. Bocelli...
(Theatre of Silence) is a natural theatre framed in the hills of Lajatico. Andrea BocelliAndrea BocelliAndrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
, its honorary president, performs at the theatre, in July of every year, the rest of the year it remains silent. A small lake is surrounded by travertine blocks. In the centre are works of artists such as Igor Mitorai and Arnaldo PomodoroArnaldo PomodoroArnaldo Pomodoro is an Italian sculptor. He was born on 23 June 1926, in Morciano, Romagna, Italy. He currently lives and works in Milan. His brother, Giò Pomodoro was also a sculptor....
.
Events
Weekly market:Every Wednesday morning
Maggio Lajatichino:
Third Sunday of May
Festa della bruschetta
Third Sunday of June
Teatro del Silenzio concert
July
Village Fair
September
Feast of San Leonardo Abate
Patron saint of the town. 6 November.
Notable people
- Andrea BocelliAndrea BocelliAndrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
, was born and raised here. He now resides in Forte dei MarmiForte dei MarmiForte dei Marmi is a sea town and comune in the province of Lucca, in northern Tuscany . It is the birthplace of Paola Ruffo di Calabria, Queen of the Belgians....