The avant-garde sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro was born in Morciano di Romagna, a small town just inland from the Adriatic coast, on this day in 1926. He is best known for his Sphere within Sphere series.
Continue Reading
Today (6th June), Google’s Doodle celebrates the 171st birthday of Italian inventor Angelo Moriondo. He is credited with patenting the earliest known espresso machine.
Continue Reading
In 1762, Pope Clement XIII officially opened the iconic Trevi Fountain in Rome. The fountain now helps raise money for the poor.
Continue Reading
The painter Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini, who is regarded as one of the most important Venetian painters of the early 18th century, was born on this day in 1675 in Venice.
Continue Reading
On 24th April 1859, Luigi Lavazza was born. The Turin grocer founded the Lavazza Coffee Company, one of Italy’s most famous coffee brands.
Continue Reading
The adventurer and author whose name is synonymous with ‘womaniser’ was born on 2nd April 1725. A Venetian, Giacomo Casanova travelled widely and wrote an autobiography Story of my Life.
Continue Reading
Guccio Gucci, the man whose name inspired the interlocking G logo, was born 26th March 1881 in Florence. Inspired by wealthy clients at the Savoy Hotel, his fashion brand has gone on to become one of the most famous in the world.
Continue Reading
Giuseppe Mercalli was one of Europe’s leading authorities on earthquakes and volcanic activity. He died on 19th March 1914 in a fire at home.
Continue Reading
Twice prime minister and inventor of modern Chianti wine, Bettino Ricasoli was born on this day – 9th March – in 1809. He was considered one of the driving forces of the Risorgimento.
Continue Reading
The 14th century painter Giotto di Bondone, known simply as Giotto, died on 8th January, 1337 in Florence. He was one of the greatest artists of the early Renaissance period.
Continue Reading
