We’ve all seen historical films and cartoons in which papyrus plants thrive along the banks of the famed Nile. Nonetheless, a few thousand kilometers away stands the old and illustrious city of Syracuse, which hides a heavy secret. What is the secret of Syracuse being the only European city where papyrus […]
Culture
Italian Culture
Roman Inventions that Shaped Modern Life
Famous Roman inventions of ancient times are among the first things that come to mind when discussing our ancient history: just to name a few, aqueducts, concrete that withstood the passing of time, and a vast network of roads that connected — and still connects — many parts of Italy […]
September, 3rd: The Saint Rose celebration is a unique event in the world
Every September, Viterbo celebrates Saint Rose, the patron of the city who died in 1251. This unique tradition, handed down for over 750 years, was recognized by UNESCO in 2013 as part of the oral and intangible heritage. The tradition of Viterbo The annual festival of Santa Rosa is Viterbo’s […]
Venice is looking for new gondoliers: how do you become one?
The application process is now open to officially become a gondolier, transporting tourists through Venice‘s fascinating and much-envied canals. However, the available spots are very limited, the selection process is stringent, and the requirements are numerous. Obtaining the certification is not for everyone; the ancient tradition of Venice cannot be […]
Bella Ciao, the meaning.
Find out more about the Money Heist song.
Michelangelo’s David and his legally protected image
About a year ago, a ruling of the tribunale di Firenze divided Italy in two, when a groundbreaking legal case concerning Michelangelo‘s David image rights reshaped the discourse on cultural preservation and commercialization. Italy’s court system ruled in favor of the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, reaffirming that the museum must […]
August 21,1911: the story of the theft of the Gioconda
The night of August 21-22, 1911, was unlike any other. It is a symbolic date for Italian artistic tradition and fervent patriotism. On that night, Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian employee of the Louvre Museum, stole the Mona Lisa to reclaim it as Italian property. This is the story of the […]
Italian centenarians: longevity secrets
Italy is not known for its delicious cuisine, gorgeous landscapes, or rich cultural legacy. Or, more accurately, it is also this, but there is much more. Italy has one of the world’s five blue zones, which are the places where life expectancy exceeds significantly the worldwide average. We’re talking about […]
10 Italian Inventions and Discoveries
10 Italian Inventions and Discoveries including firefighters and shopping centres The list of things we relate with Italy is very long – and tasty – with pizza, pasta, coffee, cheese, tiramisu, cannoli, gelato, and wine all reminding us of the southern European country, which we can always spot on the […]
Leonardo da Vinci: the culinary genius
When we think of Leonardo da Vinci, many images come to mind: an artist, an inventor, a scientist, an all-around great mind. However, one of the lesser-known facets of his genius was his passion for gastronomy. Yes: Leonardo, a true Renaissance man, was also a culinary genius who used his […]