I will write here about the historical place of Lucrezia Borgia without going into the prejudice and gossip that surrounded her in her lifetime and beyond. Lucrezia was the daughter of Rodrigo Borgia, from a family that left a significant mark on the period between the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Rodrigo Borgia, as […]
(Caffe alla Valdostana) I am from the Aosta Valley, and it seems right to talk to you about this particularity that is part of that region’s popular culture and tradition. In Europe, coffee spread between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and it is during this period that Valdostan-style coffee made its appearance. What makes this […]
Modena’s renowned traditional balsamic vinegar is a treasured condiment with an intriguing past and ancient origins. The meticulous craftsmanship of its creation evolved in the Emilia-Romagna region, in particular the picturesque provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and have been passed down through countless generations. While historical documents do not offer precise details about the […]
The Apuan Alps are ancient Italian mountains located between the Versilia coast of Tuscany and Emilia. They represent the largest and oldest marble basin in the world. The area is also known as “White Gold” due to the quality, beauty, and uniqueness of its white marble. Carrara marble, already used in Roman times, gained its […]
We are in Alessandria. It’s the year 1846. Giuseppe Borsalino is twelve years old and has been working for a few years. He is small, but he has big ambitions. He wants to make hats, but he needs to obtain a French certificate (Italy was under French domination) that allows him to sell and open […]
Shoes… Almost everyone loves shoes…they are an essential accessory, especially in cold areas. They are a symbol of elegance and sensuality. And now, a bit of the history of Italian shoes. The craftsmanship of Italian shoes is rich and fascinating. It is believed that Roman sandals were the first footwear specifically designed to fit the […]
Nutella is part of Italian culture like Fiat 500, the markets in each city, the fashion and the beauty. On April 20, 1964, the first jar of Nutella came out from the Ferrero factory in Alba-Piedmont city. Its origins, however, date back to the 1940s and before. Pietro Ferrero was a pastry chef in Turin. […]
La via del Sale (in English, “the Salt Road”) refers to the history and culture of salt production in Sicily, especially in the Saline di Marsala area of the Riserva Naturale dello Stagnone, the largest nature reserve in Sicily, stretching from Marsala to Trapani and today managed by the World Wildlife Fund. These famous salt […]
The ancestor of gelato appeared in China around 2000 BC and was prepared with very cooked rice, spices, and milk. It was then buried in snow to solidify. During the Middle Ages, inspired by Marco Polo’s stories of his Chinese journeys, cold desserts made with milk and fruit juices started to become popular. The first […]
Venice’s history is all about politics and money. For centuries, the city was one of the richest in Europe; but in the 16th century, that began to change. Venice came under pressure from the Turks and the European powers. The republic was going through an economic crisis. They had lost their Eastern market, and the […]