On this day in history: Birth of Zanetta Farussi
Zanetta Farussi, born on 27th August 1707 in Venice, was a celebrated comedy actress in 18th-century Italy and the mother of the infamous adventurer and womaniser, Giacomo Casanova.
Continue Reading
Category: History of Italy
On this day in history: Michelangelo’s La Pietà Commissioned
On 26th August 1498, one of the most iconic sculptures in the history of art, La Pietà, was commissioned, marking a pivotal moment in the career of the young Michelangelo Buonarroti.
Continue Reading
On this day in history: World’s First Air Raid
On 22nd August 1849, the city of Venice witnessed a historic and unprecedented event: the world’s first air raid. Long before the age of aeroplanes and modern warfare, this remarkable feat was achieved by primitive, unmanned balloons. It marked a pivotal moment in military history, laying the groundwork for the concept of aerial bombardment.
Continue Reading
On this day in history: Author Emilio Salgari born
Emilio Salgari, often hailed as the father of Italian adventure novels, was a prolific writer whose works captivated generations of readers with tales of swashbuckling heroes, exotic locales, and high-seas adventures. He was born in Verona on 21st August 1862.
Continue Reading
On this day in history: Eleonora Fonseca Pimentel, poet and revolutionary, hanged
Eleonora Fonseca Pimentel, born in Rome in 1752, was an exceptional figure in the history of Italy, whose life intertwined poetry, intellectual rigour, and revolutionary fervour. As one of the most prominent women of her time, she played a crucial role in the short-lived Neapolitan Republic of 1799. She was hanged on 20th August, 1799.
Continue Reading
On this day in history: Death of Emperor Augustus
Augustus, born Gaius Octavius Thurinus on 23rd September 63 BCE, in Rome, is best remembered as the first emperor of the Roman Empire and one of the most influential figures in Western history.
Continue Reading
One this day in history: cartographer Vincenzo Coronelli born
Vincenzo Coronelli, an Italian Franciscan friar born on 16th August 1650 in Venice, is widely regarded as one of the most significant and innovative globe makers in history. His work in cartography and globe highlights his profound influence on the fields of geography, navigation, and visual culture.
Continue Reading
The Venetian Gondolier: A centuries-old tradition
The image of a gondola gliding gracefully through the canals of Venice, steered by a gondolier in a striped shirt and straw hat, is one of the most iconic and enduring symbols of Italy. The profession of the gondolier is not just a job; it is a revered tradition passed down through generations, deeply intertwined […]
Continue Reading
On this day in history: Opera composer Jacopo Peri dies
Jacopo Peri, who died on 12th August 1633, was a seminal figure in the history of Western music. Often referred to as the “father of opera,” Peri’s work laid the foundation for an entirely new genre of music, blending dramatic narrative with musical expression. His most famous contribution, Dafne, is widely recognised as the first […]
Continue Reading
On this day in history: Rodrigo de Borja becomes Pope Alexander VI
Rodrigo de Borja became Pope Alexander VI on 11st August 1492. He remains one of the most infamous figures in the history of the Catholic Church. His papacy, from 1492 to 1503, was marked by scandals, political intrigue, and accusations of corruption, yet he also played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of […]
Continue Reading