Scarperia e San Piero

Tuscany, Italy

PERSONAGES WHAT TO EAT MUST-SEE PICTURES

PERSONAGES

Iacopo d’Angelo da Scarperia

Iacopo d'Angelo da Scarperia was a literate, who translated ancient literary works from Greek into Latin. His name is linked to the translation of the fundamental text for the first knowledge of the shape and size of our planet, the "Geographia" by Claudius Ptolemy.

Conte Luigi Guglielmo Cambray-Digny

He was the owner of the Villa of Schifanoia and the adjacent farm. With him, a great scholar of agricultural practices, the company became the nerve center of agriculture, not only of San Piero but of all the Mugello: he greatly improved the conditions of sharecroppers and near the village he even built a factory of agricultural tools. He then served as Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Trade for the first term, Minister of Finance for the second term, and then Senator.

Andare a Scarperia la non mi torna, son tutti birri, spie e limacorna...

Playfully, it alludes to the fact that the inhabitants of Scarperia are all cops (birri), spies and "limacorna". In Scarperia there is manufacture of knives and sharpeners, which have horn handles, hence the term limacorna.

WHAT TO EAT

Pappa con l’aglio

Pappa con l'aglio is a dish of the poor Tuscan cuisine, it is also found in other regions of Italy with variations that concern the products of the territory used, such as oil and typical bread. The most important difference concerns the characteristics of the bread itself with which the dish is prepared, since in Tuscany and in a few other regions this is without salt. It was popular belief that eating it had beneficial functions. It was served to convalescents and was used to facilitate breastfeeding.

Pattona with chestnut flour

The pattona, also known as "castagnaccio alla toscana", is made with boiled chestnut flour, with the addition of raisins and pine nuts. It is then left to cool, cut into slices and served at the table.

Boiled Duck

Since the duck is very fat and its meat is hard, it is advisable to scald it in a little water for about 2 hours with odors. If you have a steam oven, use this: the meat will remain tastier. After this proceed to make a large sauté, cut the duck into 4 parts and let it flavor and wet it with red wine. Add broth and a tablespoon of preserves, salt and pepper. Cook over very low heat for 2 hours.

MUST-SEE

Palazzo dei Vicari

Scarperia, one of the most beautiful hamlets in Italy, boasts the 14th century Palazzo dei Vicari, once residence of the Viceroy of the Florentine Republic who was appointed to administer both the town and the surrounding lands, stands regally in the center of the town . The structure holds an important historical archive and an ancient clock in the bell tower created by Filippo Brunelleschi. It is the home of the Museum of Cutting Blades, which celebrates the 500-year-old tradition of knives and cutting tools manufacturing.

Convento di San Bonaventura al Bosco ai Frati

A trace left by the Medici in Mugello is the Convent of San Bonaventura of Bosco ai Frati. It was founded by the Ubaldini before the end of the first Millennium, and donated in 1212 to Saint Francis. In 1420 Cosimo de’Medici purchased the convent and had it restored by Michelozzo Michelozzi. The wooden sculpture of Christ dying, credited to Donatello and a collection of sacred art are conserved in an inner room.

Mugello race track

The Mugello International Circuit is an Italian motor racing circuit. It is located in the municipality of Scarperia and San Piero and is owned by Ferrari. The track is 5245 m long, and has 15 curves.