List of products by brand ZANOTTI

The First Bacio di Dama in 1890

Our journey begins over 130 years ago, when Angelo and Secondo, brothers and pastry chefs, opened a confectionery workshop in the small town of Tortona and decided to offer something new.
At that time, Italy had been unified for just over a decade and was going through a period of great social and economic transformation. Institutions were being consolidated, trying to integrate the different regions, each with its own historical and cultural personality. The Kingdom of Italy, proclaimed in 1861, worked on the creation of a national identity with the aim of developing a stable political structure.

Electricity and industry
At the end of the 19th century, the introduction of electricity and public lighting marked a substantial turning point, improving people's quality of life. Industrialization was taking hold, especially in the north.

Takeoff of modernity
Agricultural activities still prevailed, but the textile, steel and mechanical sectors developed, contributing to the modernization of the country. The production capacity of the food sector also took off.

Challenges and opportunities
The phenomenon of the “great emigration”, which radically shaped the Italian demographic fabric, was countered by a growing middle class and greater urbanization. Peace and general well-being were expected.

Communication and business
The installation of telephone and telegraph networks allowed for an exponential progress in rapid communications, facilitating the management of business on a national and international scale. More remote parts of the globe were connected.

Transport and infrastructure
The construction of roads and railways facilitated trade by stimulating significant economic growth, and the flourishing Italian market benefited from the many revolutionary technological innovations that characterized the early years of the “Belle époque”.

Room for inventiveness
At the same time as the birth of Verism and Futurism, Italy was preparing to play a significant role on the European and world stage. The first Bacio di Dama fits into this prosperous framework of cultural and artistic ferment, creativity and inventiveness!