On this day in history: Florence hit by floods six centuries apart
On 4th November, Florence was hit by floods. Bizarrely, the two worst floods the city suffered occurred on the same day some 633 years apart, in 1333 and 1966.
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Category: History of Italy
On this day in history: Niccolò Paganini born
On 27th October 1782, Niccolò Paganini, the virtuoso violinist, and composer, was born in Genoa. His mastery of the strings set him apart from all his contemporaries. Long fingers, a memory that rendered sheet music obsolete, and the astonishing ability to weave up to 12 notes in a second left audiences in awe.
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On this day in history: Death of Jacopo della Quercia, Sculptor
On 20th October 1438, the sculptor Jacopo della Quercia died, leaving behind a legacy chiseled from the very essence of the Italian Renaissance. A master of the early 15th century, Jacopo’s handiwork profoundly influenced renowned artists of his time, including the eminent Michelangelo.
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On this day in history: Theft of Caravaggio Nativity from Palermo Church
In the world of art, few names evoke as much reverence as that of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. One of his most renowned paintings, “Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence,” was stolen on 17th October, 1969 from the Oratory of San Lorenzo in Palermo, Italy. The theft of this Caravaggio nativity, valued not only […]
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On this day in history: Treaty of Campo Formio signed
The Treaty of Campo Formio, signed on 17th October 1797, in a small Italian town of the same name, was a pivotal event in European history. Negotiated between France and Austria, the treaty marked a significant turning point in the tumultuous period of the French Revolutionary Wars, redrawing the continent’s map. Whilst many date the […]
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On this day in history: the poet Virgil born
On 15th October 70BC, in the village of Andes near Mantua, the literary luminary known as Virgil was born. Originally named Publius Vergilius Maro, he would later be celebrated as the pre-eminent Roman poet.
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On this day in history: Mary of Modena born
Mary of Modena, the controversial Queen Consort of James II of England was born on 5th October, 1658. She was the daughter of Alfonso IV, Duke of Modena, and his wife, Laura Martinozzi.
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On this day in history: Introduction of The Gregorian Calendar
The Gregorian calendar, also known as the Western or Christian calendar, is the most widely used calendar system in the world today. The date of 4th October 1582 was the last date of the Julian Calendar.
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Pompeii politician bought votes with bread
Pompeii Archaeological sites unearth tangible proof that vote buying was not uncommon in ancient Pompeii. In one particular case, bread was the dough which brought in the votes.
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On this day in history: Adventurer Scipione Borghese born
Scipione Borghese was a remarkable adventurer and nobleman hailing from Italy. Born on 11th September, 1871 into the illustrious Borghese family, Scipione embarked on a life of adventure and exploration during the early 20th century.
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