La Festa di Pane (The Festival of Bread)
Tourists, and big tour groups, are everywhere in Lucca right now. One of the challenges of living in an historic city!
Today, September 22nd, is the autumnal equinox, officially the first day of fall. But, after having hints of fall weather in mid-September, this past weekend saw a return to summer-like temperatures. Between the warm temperatures and the large number of tourists in town, it is hard to believe that fall is just around the corner.
The Settembre Lucchese events are still going strong, even after the conclusion of the Luminaria di Santa Croce event which happened a week ago. The past week has seen disco music in Piazza San Francesco, the monthly antiques market, and the start of Lucca Film Festival. The Film Festival continues this week with film screenings and appearances by several well-known actors and directors.
My favorite event of the past weekend was La Festa del Pane (The Festival of Bread). The event, which took place in Piazza Napoleone, featured local Lucchese bakers who set up a bakery right in the piazza.
In the pop up bakery they produced many different types of breads, from beginning to finished product. Tables were laden with rustic loaves, whole grain ones, and even fancy shaped breads fresh from the ovens. On Saturday, the star of the show were the various breads and focaccia.
On Sunday morning, sweeter Lucchese specialties were baked. There were beautiful trecce (braids) studded with chocolate bits and loaves of Buccellato, a sweet bread scented with anise and dotted with raisins. Both are typical Lucca foods.
Another Lucca specialty also made an appearance, Torta di Becchi. This is an unusual local torta (not quite a cake, not quite a pie) with both sweet and savory elements. Imagine a pastry crust filled with a mixture of chard, pine nuts, raisins, sugar, eggs, milk, and spices. Perhaps a dash of rum or some candied citron. The edges of the pastry crust are pinched up to form the becchi (beaks). It is a bit of an acquired taste, but a much loved one here in Lucca.
Samples were handed out to the onlookers, making them very happy. The breads, pastries, and cakes could also be purchased for a donation, which went to support a local charity.
Un assaggio?
The Festa di Pane was a great way to sample some of Lucca’s specialty breads. It’s just one of the many Settembre Lucchese events that make this a great place to visit in September.
Even Spider Man dropped by to serenade everyone!
