Sandri in Perugia and Stoppani in Bari are the last two historical pastry shops still run by the heirs of the over 100 Swiss pastry cooks who came down to Italy in the nineteenth century to seek their fortune and open kitchens and shops that became legends in their own right. Both the owners come from Sent, in the Canton of Grisons, and now represent the fifth generation of the founders.
Founded by Swiss confectioners from the Grisons, now in their fifth generation. It was here that, after Garibaldi’s exploits of 1860, the Bari plebiscite decreed the annexation of the city to the Kingdom of Italy. Illustrious guests included Kaiser Wilhelm II, Victor Emanuel III and Queen Elena, Italo Balbo, General Badoglio, Umberto Nobile, the first president of the Italian republic De Nicola, the philosopher Benedetto Croce, and the scientist Marconi. It moved from its original premises in Corso Vittorio but has lost none of its great cultural traditions.
The confectioner Sandri is of Swiss origin and the sign, which reads "Pasticceria - Drogheria - Confetture coloniali", goes back well over one hundred years. The vaulted ceilings are delicately painted and the venue of the store is so pleasant, cheerful and cosy that it resembles a candy box. Run by the same family for five generations.
