Fortezza Medicea Restaurant
The fortress, built in 1474, is a high-security prison for criminals serving at least seven years. In 2006, the prison administration instituted the occasional dinners as a rehabilitation scheme. Inmates selected for their good behaviour prepare a multi-course dinner and serve it at the prison. Proceeds are donated to charity. In the inaugural season, the chef was also an inmate, serving a life term; in subsequent years, invited guest chefs have presided. Guests must apply at least two weeks in advance, undergo a background check, and on arrival show identification and be assigned a registration number; cutlery is plastic.
The dinners proved popular and sell out weeks in advance. On release, several inmates have found restaurant jobs. The restaurant operates part-year, one day a month, serving a six-course meal in the former chapel or a courtyard. In September 2007, a seven-course medieval feast was served by inmates in period costume. Operations were suspended in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
References
- ^ Orth, Stephan (10 September 2007). "Gefängnis Volterra: Zu Gast bei Ganoven". Der Spiegel (in German). Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Gumuchian, Marie-Louise (20 May 2008). "Guests give top marks to Italian gourmet jail". Reuters. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ Santini, Bruno (June 2014). "Cena galeotta 20 giugno 2014 Fortezza Medicea Carcere di Volterra" (video, segment begins at 2:43) (in Italian). Informatore TV. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Inside the popular Italian restaurant serving up high-end cuisine behind bars". CBS News. 22 July 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Pisa, Nick (20 May 2007). "'They made me a pasta I couldn't refuse'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Cuneo, Cinzia (29 November 2021) [3 June 2013]. "Fine dining at maximum security in Toscany". SOSCuisine. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
External links
- Official website (archived on 20 February 2020) (in Italian)
- 2019–2020 programme of dinners (archived on 20 January 2022) (in Italian)
- Dinner Behind Bars, Volterra, Toscana