Tuscany Celebration Day: a day dedicated to freedom and civilization

The protagonist of this chapter in Tuscan history is Peter Leopold of Habsburg Lorraine, who in 1765 assumed the government of the Grand Duchy with a strikingly modern vision (before becoming Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor). 
The son of Empress Maria Theresa of Habsburg and Francis Stephen of Lorraine, he ruled for 25 years by reorganizing the administration, fostering trade, promoting agriculture and making the judicial system more efficient, paving the way for a long season of development and innovation.
The most significant moment of his rule came in 1786, with the abolition of the death penalty and torture. 
A revolutionary choice that made Tuscany the 1ˢᵗ state in the world to adopt such an advanced stance on human rights.

In 2025, the anniversary takes on an even more special value: it marks 260 years since Peter Leopold’s inauguration.
An anniversary that invites us to rediscover his legacy and the profound mark left by his reforms, still recognizable in history and contemporary identity.

A slew of events will celebrate Leopold II.
In Prato, the program features thematic walks, workshops and a final concert dedicated to Tuscany Day. 
In Reggello, there are events and visits to the landmarks of the area, while in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, the Tuscany Festival is accompanied by musical events and occasions for reflection open to the community. 
In Calenzano, the celebrations include guided walks and cultural activities dedicated to the transformations of the territory in the Leopold era.
In Fucecchio, an exhibition recounts the impact of the Grand Duke’s reforms on the Padule and the lives of local communities, with guided tours and activities for the public.
Siena takes center stage with the event “Pietro Leopoldo and the Origins of the Pinacoteca Nazionale,” which offers tours, workshops and a day of studies dedicated to the relationship between the Grand Duke and the history of Siena’s heritage.
This is complemented by events in Torrita di Siena with meetings and initiatives spread throughout the area.
The celebrations also continue in Livorno, where public events and spotlights recount Peter Leopold’s role in the institutional and social transformations of the 18ᵗʰ century.
In Montelupo Fiorentino, a conference dedicated to the Grand Duke highlights the link with local history and artistic productions in the area, while in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, a series of meetings traces the Leopold-era reforms and their impact on the life of Chianti communities. 
San Marcello Piteglio, in the heart of the Pistoia Mountains, also offers meetings and initiatives that invite people to rediscover the traces left by the ruler in the rural and mountainous areas of Tuscany.