Amerigo Vespucci - A Florentine Explorer

Amerigo Vespucci (photo: nytimes)

Last Wednesday, the 22 of February, was the 500th anniversary of the death of a famous Florentine. His name should ring a bell with Americans – AMERIGO VESPUCCI. A number of different events will be held in 2012 celebrating the life of this famous navigator.

Yes, you guessed it, the geographic name America derives from this Italian explorer who grew up on the streets of Florence in the Ognissanti neighborhood.

This merchant turned explorer first worked for the Medici branch bank in Seville, Spain. He became caught up in the exploration frenzy inspired from Columbus’ discoveries and took part in his own sea voyages for Spain and Portugal. He explored the coasts of South America. In one journey he discovered the coast of Brasil and the Amazon basin and in another journey the Plata River south to Patagonia. Understanding he had not arrived in Asia as Columbus believed, his vivid accounts of the ‘new world’ were quite sensational and when published created quite a stir throughout Europe. So much so that in 1507 the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller included Vespucci on his published woodcut map of the world. On this map, he referred to the newly discovered lands as ‘America,' in Vespucci's honor. Even though there was some question a short time afterwards whether an entire continent should be named after one man it was too late, the name had stuck.

You don’t have to travel abroad to see the last surviving copy of this famous 1507 map. It is housed at the Library of Congress in Washington DC! I’ll write more about the arrival of the famous Waldseemüller map in America in a future post!

- Posted by Elizabeth

Wine & Palaces

This week I propose a walk in the historic center of Florence and a visit of a countryside castle admiring the homes of the families which have made the most popular nectar of the Goddess famous: Chianti wine! This itinerary is meant to emphasize the historical link between the city of the "Lily" and the nearby countryside and how this famous wine has achieved so much fame.

Families which had the most beautiful buildings in Florence were also the same ones which had the most beautiful villas in the countryside. The famous chronicler of the 14th century, Giovanni Villani, writes that the wealthiest families should reside four months a year in their countryhouses, a custom which remained popular until 1800’s. Where towers and castles existed gradually Renaissance villas were built. Florence in 1100 expanded its power and conquered the surrounding countryside with its fortified castles. Since that time it forced members of these families to become city citizens and also made them reside at least several months of the year in the city.

In the 1500’s Eleonora of Toledo, the wife of Cosimo I, bought the Pitti Palace on the south side of the river. The affluent court life shifted from around San Marco and Piazza Signoria to the Oltrarno. Via Maggio became integrated with the ‘path of the prince’ marking Cosimo I’s path of nobility. In fact, along this road and in this neighborhood there are beautiful buildings dating from the 16th century onwards. Families such as Ricasoli, Frescobaldi, Guicciardini, Torrigiani, Gondi and Corsini made their home in this area. They also held political office and also produced Chianti wine in their nearby country estates.

The best example of this process is the Palazzo Antinori just a short walk from the Cathedral. The palace is built by architects Giuliano da Maiano and Baccio d'Agnolo, The ground floor also has a small, famous restaurant, "Cantinetta Antinori." This family has been making wine for over 500 years and still maintains a strong leadership position in this industry. Today it produces prestigious Chianti Classico wines under the labels of: "Tignanello", "Solaia", and "Peppoli". They also produce wines in the Montalcino area such as: "Pian delle Vigne". Antinori also has estates on the coast of Tuscany and in Umbria. A bloody episode remains in the history of the Antinori family of Florence. Bernardo Antinori fell in love with the wife of Piero de Medici, Diadora from Toledo. During a stay at Villa Cafaggiolo Piero declared revenge and strangled his wife there. Meanwhile, Bernard was in grave danger. First he was arrested and then he was eventually killed in prison. Nothing happened to Piero though, who was under the protection of his father Cosimo I.

After seeing the Ricasoli palace in the city you go on a day excursion and visit their famous countryside Brolio Castle close to Siena. The castle has been owned by the same family since the 12th century and is certainly worth a visit to see the spectacular view from the garden. The Marchese Bettino Ricasoli is known for two reasons in particular. He was elected Prime Minister after the Unification of Italy, being so severe he was called the "Iron Baron". He also invented the famous Chianti blend, establishing the percentage and quality of the grapes (San Giovese, Canaiolo, Malvasia and Trebbiano).

- Posted by Angelica

Eat some Cheese - It is good for you!

What is an Italian product that is still made the same way today as it has been made since Medieval times? What do Italians give to very young babies because it is good for you and easy to digest?

Cheese. A certain type of cheese.

Parmigiano-Reggiano.

The original Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is the one made in the center of the country. It is made in province of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Mantua (on the right side of the river Po), and Bologna (on the left side of the river Reno). Of course there are many imitations. The real stuff, however, is from this area of the country. Producers have to follow strict legal requirements for their cheese to obtain the official "Parmigiano Reggiano" seal of approval. You may buy something called Grano Padano, which is similar, but it is not parmigiano. To make parmigiano cheese strick rules and regulations must be followed.

The milk that goes into parmigiano has to come exclusively from hay-fed cows that are milked twice a day. Then each wheel needs to ripen for at least a year. Parmigiano wheels are usually stored in special warehouses aging in stacks. Each wheel weighs in at least 66 pounds! A big machine moves between the stacks, brushing and turning each wheel once a week. The room is heated in the winter and cooled in the summer.

Parmigiano cheese can be found easily abroad because over 20% is exported, mostly in France, Germany, Britain and the U.S.

So search it out and enjoy!

- Posted by Elizabeth