Tuscany, located in central Italy, is famous for stunning Renaissance villages like Pienza, famed for its cheese and unique landscapes. The gorgeous region is also home to Pontremoli, which is the birthplace of testaroli – the oldest type of pasta in Italy. It is arguably the ancestor of many pastas we know and love today.

Per the region's official tourism website, Pontremoli was deemed "the only key and door to Tuscany" by Emperor Frederick II in the 1400s. Located in the mountainous northern part of Tuscany, the town was the pilgrims' entry point to the gorgeous region and part of the ancient medieval route,