The word “pizza” is one of the first Italian words. According to the historian Giuseppe Knuckle the word pizza was used for the first time in Gaeta, a fishing village in southern Lazio in 997 AD. (not in Naples!)
According to his study the pizza, at least as etymology, would take its moves from a mill near the Garigliano river, which divides Lazio from Campania. This name appears in fact for the first time in a deed preserved in the cathedral of Gaeta and drafted in May of 997 AD.
The lease of a mill located by the river Garigliano and the adjoining land, had legal effect provided that “every year on Christmas Day , you and your heirs must paid to us and our successors, by way of rent ….. twelve pizzas, a shoulder pork and a kidney, and likewise twelve pizzas and a couple of chickens in the day of Easter of Resurrection. ” The deed was originally written in Latin but contain the Italian vernacular term of pizza.
And below, I like to provide some extra tidbits of Pizza history to all Pizza lovers and fans out there….
- The ” archeopizza “, in the seventeenth century in Naples was a poor dish of white flat bread covered with lard. The tomato on the pizza arrived just after a while.
- In 1870, Margherita di Savoia during her stay in Naples was honored with a pizza with the colors of the Italian flag, white, red and green and so the” pizza Margherita” became the banner of United Italy.
- The same year, the loyal subjects of the Bourbons came up with a pizza topped with mozzarella from Caserta, little tomatoes from the Vesuvius, Gaeta olives, and anchovies to honor the last queen of the Kingdom of the Two Sicily’s, Maria Sofia.
Below are 2 of the many packages we offer in Southern Italy!
Jewels of the South 7 Days/ 6 nights …WAS $1,905 NOW from $ 1,753
This incredible tour starts out in Palermo and ventures thru-out Sicily and up the “HEEL” of the boot in Calabria. The beautiful scenery doesn’t stop there, you will experience breathtaking views in the Amalfi Coast and end your tour in ROME. Picture perfect memories that last a lifetime. This tour can be reversed ask us for more details.
Sunny Italy 8 Days/ 7 nights …WAS $1,975 NOW from $ 1,815
Discover Rome and Amalfi Coast on this spectacular tour. You will encounter the powerful reminders of Ancient Rome as you walk along the cobblestone streets near the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain and St. Peter’s Basilica. The amazing landscapes, the smell of lemon groves and exceptional cuisine of the Amalfi Coast have been enchanting people for many years.
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