On July 16, 1995, a team of chefs in Naples, Italy, created the world's largest pizza, named 'Ottavia', with a diameter of 1261.65 square meters (13,580.28 square feet) as part of a campaign to promote healthy eating. This unique event showcased Italy's famed culinary traditions.

The creation of Ottavia involved more than 5 tons of flour, 3 tons of tomato sauce, and more than 2 tons of mozzarella cheese. The record-breaking pizza was baked using a special oven created just for this occasion, and its preparation took about 48 hours.

The public was enchanted by this extraordinary feat, celebrating Italy's rich pizza culture. Following this record, pizza festivals have become popular around the world, reflecting a universal love for this delicious dish.

The event was not only a culinary triumph but also a symbolic gesture towards the importance of using natural and quality ingredients in modern cuisine, promoting the 'made in Italy' brand.

Interestingly, the pizza was gluten-free and made with local ingredients to promote healthy eating, demonstrating the evolving culinary practices even in traditional food preparation like pizza-making.

Naples also claims to be the birthplace of pizza, with historical roots tracing back to the 18th century. This event emphasized the significance of preserving culinary heritage.

As a promotional stunt, over 3,000 people joined in the event, which ended with the public sharing slices of the massive pizza, making it a community celebration of food and togetherness.

The world record established by Ottavia remains a symbol of culinary achievement and has inspired countless pizza-making activities around the globe, encouraging creativity in the art of pizza crafting.

Have you ever tried making a pizza from scratch? What toppings do you think would stand out on a giant pizza?