The marble sculptures on Rome’s altar of absolute peace attract visitors because of their beauty, but their origins lie in celebrating the victories of Emperor Augustus… The Ara Pacis Augustae, or altar to the absolute peace, was commissioned by the Roman Senate in 13BC, and in 9BC was dedicated to the peace established by Emperor […]
When it comes to works of religious art, the Medici chapel in Florence has plenty to offer. Take a closer look at the history behind the paintings with Marina Belozerskaya Classical stories and portraits graced the homes of rich and self-consciously enlightened Florentines, but by far the most common household images were the Madonna and […]
The Carnival of Ivrea in Piedmont boasts a unique and intriguing element that sets it apart from other Italian festivals… the Battle of the Oranges Like all Italian carnivals, that of Ivrea is a feast of colour and spectacle. However, people come from far and wide to enjoy a particularly unusual element as nine competing […]
If you’re the type of person who goes gaga for Gucci and crazy for Cavalli, you’ll want to pencil this prestigious twice-yearly fashion show into your diary Okay, so many of the events are invite only, but it’s worth going along just to catch a glimpse of the glamorous guests on the red carpet. And […]
With crystal clear blue waters and a rugged granite coastline, the picturesque area of the Maddalena Archipelago has to be the perfect summer retreat… The Maddalena Archipelago consists of a group of seven large islands and several smaller islets that litter the stretch of the Strait of Bonifacio between northeast Sardinia and Corsica. The main […]
As the United Kingdom votes to leave the European Union, Tom Alberto Bull asks how this has news been received by Italians and what it might mean for the future of Italy… Read in English… As the political turmoil in the UK unfolds in the aftermath of the EU referendum, it is easy to forget […]
Diana’s shining face was not all that dwellers in the hills could see in the lake – there were dark and shadowy forms visible below the placid surface of the water In the Alban hills, 20 miles south of Rome, the little town of Nemi sits on a clifftop above a small, nearly circular, volcanic […]
Penny Wainwright combines a trip to see an Adele concert with a tour of the Verona of Romeo and Juliet, and a day out in the vineyards of Valpolicella… Verona, La Città dell’Amore, the City of Love, is known – to English-speaking visitors at least – first and foremost, for Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare’s ill-fated […]
One of Europe’s most remarkable buildings, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is an icon not just of a nation, but of an entire continent… Along with the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Big Ben in London and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, this is one of Europe’s most readily recognisable buildings. You might include the Colosseum […]
Italy wants its women to become baby-making machines. The article was originally written by Fortune. September 22 is the official date for the Italy’s ‘Fertility Day’. The state sponsored celebration has been constructed in order to promote family planning and parenthood. If you can’t believe it, then wait until you hear this… The government’s campaign to raise […]