Rocca Paolina in Perugia, Italy

Rocca Paolina in Perugia, Italy

In the 16th century, the Umbrian city of Perugia enjoyed limited autonomy from papal rule—including an exemption from the Pope’s salt tax. This allowed its citizens to buy cheaper salt from nearby Tuscany. But in 1540, Pope Paul III extended his authority and imposed a new salt tax. Perugians refused to comply, sparking the brief conflict known as the Salt War. Though the region’s famous saltless bread is often linked to this rebellion as a symb…