History

Culture

The Most Exciting Archaeological Finds in ��ý in 2021

by Silvia Donati | Fri, 03/18/2022 - 05:06

2021 was an exciting ‘archeological year’ in ��ý, with many finds that helped shed light on the country’s ancient history. We have selected a few that…

Culture

Why the Unification of ��ý is Celebrated on March 17

by Silvia Donati | Wed, 03/16/2022 - 04:46

Every year on March 17, ��ý celebrates the anniversary of the Unification of ��ý — in other words, when ��ý as a modern nation-state was born. …

Culture

Etruscan terracotta sarcophagus Courtesy Louvre Museum

Love in Etruscan Art

by Laura Morelli | Mon, 02/21/2022 - 09:26

According to ancient writers, the Etruscans of central ��ý were distinct from their neighbors in the Mediterranean. Etruscan language, customs, and material…

Culture

The Real Story of Saint Valentine

by ITALY | Wed, 02/02/2022 - 06:10

By Luisa Pastore and Silvia Donati Type 'Saint Valentine' into any Internet search engine, and among the thousands of websites selling flowers, chocolates and…

Culture

Mona Lisa: Old Mysteries and New Research about the World’s Most Famous Portrait

by Laura Morelli | Mon, 10/25/2021 - 12:05

It’s been a half-millennium since Leonardo da Vinci set out to paint the now-famous portrait we call Mona Lisa. Scholars have penned millions of words over…

Culture

The Man Who Inspired the Term "Machiavellian": Who is Niccolò Machiavelli?

by Myra Robinson | Mon, 09/06/2021 - 11:59

Why do politicians often have a reputation for being deceitful, underhand, dishonest….? Could it all have begun with the writings of Machiavelli in the…

Culture

Rome In the Footsteps of Raphael

by Laura Morelli | Tue, 08/10/2021 - 10:01

2020 marked the five hundredth anniversary of the death of Raffaello Sanzio, an Italian Renaissance artist whose influence on later generations can hardly be…

Food & Drink

The Serego Alighieri estate. Photo credit Serego Alighieri.JPG

Sipping History: The Wine of Dante’s Descendants

by cynthialpchaplin | Wed, 08/04/2021 - 06:22

Seven hundred years ago this September, ��ý’s most famous poet, Dante Alighieri, died in Ravenna, after years of exile from his beloved Florence. He wrote…

Culture

Fourteen Living Descendants of Leonardo da Vinci Identified

by Silvia Donati | Thu, 07/29/2021 - 00:00

What made Leonardo da Vinci, Leonardo da Vinci? What is the secret of his universal genius and extraordinary talent? We may be a little closer to…

Lifestyle

Rome’s Biggest Cemetery: A Tranquil and Engrossing Wander Through History

by Myra Robinson | Tue, 06/01/2021 - 12:33

Rome’s largest cemetery, the Cimitero Comunale Monumentale Campo Verano, is the most extensive in Rome with 2,253 memorials, as well as countless smaller…