Italian Heroes and Villains in History
Rodrigo de Borja was born in Xàtiva, near Valencia, in Spain on January 1, 1431. In Italian, he is known as Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia; or more commonly as Pope Alexander VI, the successor to Innocent VIII. Rodrigo’s mother was Isabella Borja and his father was Joffre Llançol. Rodrigo chose to take […]
Born on April 18 1480, Lucrezia Borgia was the daugher of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia and his mistress, Vannozza (Giovanna) dei Cattani. Lucrezia had two older brothers, Giovanni (Juan) and Cesare. She also had a younger brother, Goffredo. Her father doted on his children but had a special bond with his only daughter. […]
Before the twentieth century, one of the ways women could become independent and wealthy was to become a high-class courtesan. However, this was far more difficult than it might at first appear. Class distinction reigned even in the realm of prostitution, and only the most beautiful and the most […]
Marie Taglioni in Zephire She taught Queen Mary of England how to curtsy. Victor Hugo dedicated a book to ‘her feet, to her wings.’ Yet her French ballet teacher complained: “Will that little hunchback ever learn to dance?” He also called her an ‘ugly duckling’ and rejected her at the age […]
Cesare Borgia was born in 1475. He was the son of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, who would become Pope Alexander VI, and his mistress Vannozza de Cattani. He was also the older brother of Lucrezia Borgia. However, Cesare was probably the most infamous of all the Borgia’s. He is remembered for great […]
Niccolò Machiavelli in a painting by Tito di Santi “They were freer than their forefathers in dress and living, and spent more in other kinds of excesses, consuming their time and money in idleness, gaming, and women; their chief aim was to appear well dressed and to speak with […]
Florence Described by many as a living canvas and mainly known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, sophisticated Florence is impressive with its grand palaces, beautiful churches and priceless art collections. It is not for nothing that Florence epitomizes the wealth and extravagance befitting a European cultural capital. Yet this […]
Pauline Borghese Bonaparte Beautiful and immoral, Napoleon’s sister, Pauline broke hearts all over Europe. It was said of her that she and Napoleon were both going to conquer Europe, but Pauline was going to do it one man at a time! There are many legends about the behavior of this […]
Tazio Nuvolari – Photo courtesy of Everywhere West/Wikimedia Tazio Nuvalori, or the Flying Mantuan as he became known, was a famous Italian racecar and motorcycle driver. The European Champion in Grand Prix motor racing in 1932, Nuvalori won dozens of races and was known as one of the […]
Italian Luminaries – Heroes & Villains Sometimes, the paintbrush of history colors individuals who’ve helped shape her too strongly. Historic figures in Italy are either seen as heroes or villains. Very rarely, they are depicted in moderate tones, at least by those who write history for the popular public. Italy […]