The 17 contrade

The Legend of la BEFANA

Passion of Christ on Palm Sunday

The Grassina Passion Play

Gothic Dream

The Race or Bravio of St. Reparata

Wish upon a star

Halloween

Bacco Artigiano at Rufina

And who was St. Zenobius?

A home from home through the year

More Tuscan history

The Scottish market

More Tuscan history
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Hugh the Great or Hugh of Tuscany (c.950–December 21st 1001) was Margrave of Tuscany from 961 to his death, as well as duke of Spoleto and Camerino from 989 to 996. His father was Humbert of Tuscany, also briefly Duke of Spoleto, and his mother, Willa, the daughter of Boniface I of Spoleto. Hugh was married to Judith and had a daughter Willa. The Emperor Otto eventually dispossessd him of the duchy of Spoleto because he feared Hugh's growing power in central Italy.

He is considered the founder of Tuscany as we know it today and the story of his life is shrouded in legends full of heroic deeds. A very moral and pious prince, he endowed many religious institutions, a tradition that was to be continued by later rulers. He died under rather mysterious circumstances in Pistoia and was secretly brought to Florence to be buried in the Badia Fiorentina. A mass is held here in his memory every year on December 21st.


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