Colonnata, The Town Of Tuscan Lard!

Come to Colonnata on a culinary trail of Tuscany to try a famous slow food delicacy here, delicious white pork lard. The village of Colonnata is situated high up in the Apuan Alps and has a busy marble quarrying industry. It dates back to around 40 BC when it was built to house slaves who excavated the marble to be sent to Rome. The quarries here are known as ‘Gioia Calagro’ and visitors to Colonnata can even see the veined marble being quarried during their visit to this industrious part of Tuscany.

Stay in a cosy villa rental in Florence, only twelve kilometres away from Colonnata where you can experience a wonderful Tuscan holiday experience.

The village of Colonnata is full of lovely decorative houses with carved architectural features prominent on old palazzos and churches especially. Enjoy a hot coffee in the open air of Piazza Palesto where you can admire a modern sculpture in the middle called ‘Christ of the Quarrymen’. Also worth a look is the old stone bell tower that still stands tall over Colonnata.

See the ornate marble interior of the 16th century St. Bartholomew church where there are many beautiful artefacts and ornaments inside. Gaze upon the intricately carved 17th century crucifix, believed to have been made by an apprentice of Master Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo.

Colonnata is probably most famous for its succulent white lard. This is made by curing the fat of a pig’s back infusing its rich flavour with herbs and spices. Locals enjoy this Colonnata lard spread on crusty bread and eaten as an appetiser along with juicy cherry tomatoes and salty salami.

Learn more about the delicious Slow foods of Tuscany by reading our mouth-watering collection of articles about them.

So why not include a day trip to Colonnata on your next vacation to Tuscany and be immersed in the rich cultural, historical and culinary traditions of this mountain area. It’s guaranteed to enrich your tourist experience of Tuscany as well as your taste buds!