On this day: Death of Beatrice Portinari, Dante’s muse
On 8 June 1290, Beatrice Portinari, a young woman whose brief life would shape one of the greatest works in the history of literature, died.
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On this day: Federico da Montefeltro, warrior duke, born
Born on 7th June 1422 in Gubbio, Federico da Montefeltro was the most celebrated condottiere of his age. He was a mercenary commander of formidable military skill who used the profits of war to create one of the finest courts of the Italian Renaissance at Urbino.
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€44 for two ice creams: American tourist’s receipt goes viral
A photograph of a receipt from a gelateria near Piazza di Spagna has caused a social media storm after a Florida tourist was charged more than forty euros for what she expected to be two small ice creams. It’s the latest in a long series of overcharging controversies targeting visitors to the Italian capital.
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Former Venice mayor Brugnaro indicted over election spending
Luigi Brugnaro, who served as Venice’s centre-right mayor for a decade before the recent end of his mandate, has been indicted on charges of violating electoral spending laws relating to his 2020 local election campaign.
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Salvini calls on banks to make ‘contribution’ from profits
Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini has publicly demanded that Intesa Sanpaolo and UniCredit banks contribute a share of their combined €20 billion in projected profits to the national interest. He intimated that the government intends to press the banking sector on redistributive grounds — and sending shares in both institutions briefly lower.
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On This Day: Vecchietta, Siena Renaissance master, dies
Lorenzo di Pietro di Giovanni — known to posterity as Vecchietta, ‘the little old one’ — died in Siena on 6th June 1480. He left behind a legacy in paint, bronze and stone that remains inseparable from the identity of one of Italy’s most artistically rich cities.
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Ancient Roman domus discovered beneath Rome school
A second-century AD domus (townhouse) has been unearthed beneath the boys’ gymnasium of the Liceo Scientifico Cavour in central Rome. The dig reveals frescoes, mosaics and stucco decoration of exceptional quality.
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Errani and Vavassori defend Roland-Garros title
Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori came from behind to beat Gabriela Dabrowski and Evan King on Court Philippe-Chatrier, securing their fourth Grand Slam mixed doubles title.
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Italy’s lower house approves bill for return to nuclear power
The Chamber of Deputies has passed legislation that would allow Italy to reintroduce nuclear power for the first time in nearly four decades, as the Meloni government pursues energy independence and decarbonisation goals.
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Italy passes parental consent law for sex and relationship education
The Italian Senate has given final approval to legislation requiring schools to obtain written parental consent before delivering any sex or relationship education. The vote has divided the country along sharply ideological lines.
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