€10 - €30Venetian fugassa in Venice
AI summary
Venetian fugassa is an ancient leavened cake born in the bakeries of the lagoon centuries before panettone. Soft, fragrant with citrus and vanilla, and often decorated with sugar or almonds, it reflects a simple pastry tradition deeply rooted in Venetian domestic life. Traditionally associated with Easter, it symbolizes celebration, sharing, and the return to the table after a time of waiting. Taking one home means tasting an authentic piece of Venice’s culinary memory.
- Da assaggiare
- Tradizione pasquale
- Dolce veneziano
- Da regalare
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The product
What Venetian fugassa is
Venetian fugassa is a traditional leavened cake from historic Venice and the Veneto region, considered the ancestor of modern panettone. It has a low, round shape, a soft yet compact texture, and a delicate flavor scented with citrus and vanilla, often topped with sugar or almonds.
Unlike large industrial sweet breads, fugassa began as a simple, popular dessert made with humble but once-precious ingredients: flour, eggs, butter, sugar, and natural yeast.
The roots
Origin and history
Fugassa has medieval origins and is documented in Venice and across the Veneto region as early as the 14th and 15th centuries. Originally it was prepared mainly during Easter celebrations, as a festive cake marking the end of the Lenten fasting period.
The name derives from the Latin focus (hearth), referring to a cake baked over the domestic fire. In the following centuries, particularly between the 18th and 19th centuries, the Venetian recipe influenced the evolution of Italy’s great leavened cakes, indirectly contributing to the creation of Milanese panettone.
The message it carries concerns the value of mindful celebration. Giving this gift means recognizing the importance of marking time with gestures that strengthen community. It affirms the cultural function of pauses and festivities, suggesting that cohesion grows from sharing common rhythms.
The context
Cultural significance
Fugassa represents Venetian domestic tradition, closely tied to family life and religious festivities. It was a cake prepared at home or purchased from local bakeries, symbolizing sharing and renewal, especially during the Easter period.
It is one of the few desserts that can be considered authentically Venetian, born and developed in the lagoon before the industrialization of pastry-making.
Where to buy
Where to find Venetian fugassa in Venice
Dal Nono Colussi – A historic Venetian pastry shop in the Dorsoduro sestiere, famous for its Venetian fugassa made artisanally according to the traditional recipe; here it can be found year-round alongside other typical Venetian sweets. 📍 Calle Lunga San Barnaba, 2867A – Venice VE
Antica Pasticceria Marini (Mestre) – A historic pastry workshop on the Venetian mainland where fugassa can be found almost all year.
Local bakeries and pastry shops in Venice and the Veneto – Many artisan bakeries and pastry shops in the city (such as Rizzardini and other historic pastry shops in the center) prepare fresh or seasonal fugassa linked to Easter and other holidays, especially during the festive season.
Packaged artisanal versions – Some Venetian companies (e.g. Cipriani) produce artisanal fugassa in tins or gift boxes, available online or in gourmet shops.
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