How medieval lessons for managing floods could help those facing them in northern Italy today
Northern Italy has been hit by a series of devastating floods in recent years. In March 2025 and the previous autumn, heavy rainfall hammered the region, swamping fields, farms and towns. More than 3,000 had to leave their homes in Emilia-Romagna, between Bologna and Ravenna. The downpours caused widespread floods, landslides, and infrastructure da...
The quiet legacy of art in the heart of Italian politics
It’s no secret that museums and cultural agencies across Italy are home to countless hidden gems. What’s less known is that Italy’s Chamber of Deputies, housed in Palazzo Montecitorio, holds thousands of artworks—many of which have been sitting in “temporary storage” for nearly a century. While occasional headlines pop up over politicians displayin...
Taranto and its black gold: the story of the cozza tarantina
Taranto, often called the queen of Magna Graecia, is a city rich in history and art. Founded by the Spartans in the 8th century BCE, it was one of the most important city-states of the ancient world. Even today, its geography is unique, as it is surrounded by two bodies of water—the Mar Piccolo (Small Sea) and the Mar Grande (Big Sea)—precious trea...
From California to Abruzzo: a special visit celebrating Tommy Lasorda
Here we go! From June 26th to 28th, we’ll once again be welcoming our friends from Fullerton (U.S.A.), the city where Tommy Lasorda lived and with which the town of Tollo is twinned. After last October’s visit — which included a stop from the Mayor of the sister city, Bruce Whitaker — this time we’ll be hosting a group of students from Fullerton, w...
Pirandello: three Generations Between Agrigento, Rome, and Paris
I looked out the window onto Boulevard Saint-Germain and watched life pass by. I thought: this is the life we should be giving form to. Life as it is now. What nudes? What neoclassicism? Where are the bathers? I poured my coffee. This is where people come together. I thought of the Classics: they always portrayed the life they were living – and the...
The Castle of Agliè: a Gem on the 'Crown of Delights' in Piedmont
The Ducal Castle of Agliè is part of the Royal Residences of the Savoy, a collection of twenty-two structures created by the Savoy dynasty in the splendid setting of Piedmont between the 16th and 18th centuries. From the sumptuous palaces of Turin, the center of political power, to the magnificent residences nestled among verdant landscapes, where...
Rome's Victor Emmanuel II National Monument: everything you need to know about the Vittoriano
The Vittoriano, also known as the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II or the Altar of the Fatherland, is a national monument located in the heart of Rome, in Piazza Venezia. Dedicated to the first king of a united Italy, it stands as a symbol of national unity as well as democratic and European values. Its strategic position and imposing size make it on...
What You Need to Know About Driving in Italy as a Foreigner
There’s a certain romance to driving in Italy. It’s not just the switchbacks that climb through olive-dotted hills or the highways that stretch lazily along the coast. It’s the freedom to veer off the expected path—to stop for a vineyard that wasn’t on your itinerary, to chase the sunset across unfamiliar villages. But for anyone visiting from abro...
This California Expat Found Her Rhythm in Lucca, Italy
"I learned how to work in the US, but I learned how to live in Italy," says Lucia Comnes, an American from the West Coast who has been living in Italy for the past 10 years. Growing up in San Francisco, Lucia heard many Californians speak highly of Italy, saying it was their favorite place they had ever traveled to. Although she, too, wanted to vis...
Erika Tessarolo: The Italian Cowgirl Revolutionizing Rodeo One Mechanical Bull At A Time
In the heart of Italy’s Lake Garda region, Erika Tessarolo is crafting a revolution in the world of rodeo. As the founder and CEO of M.Art Technology and the creative force behind ShowGames.com, Erika has transformed the mechanical bull into a masterpiece of art, safety, and innovation, earning her the title of the “Italian Queen of Mechanical Bull...
Wishew, the Italian platform that blends social media and crowdfunding
In today’s world, social media is the place where most people—especially younger generations—form relationships and interact with others. At the same time, advances in technology have not only introduced new digital payment tools but also reshaped user behavior and business models. Within this landscape, crowdfunding has emerged as a powerful way t...
Italy's Uffizi to limit selfies after tourist damages painting
Latest incident sparks fresh criticism of tourists behaving badly in Italy's art museums. The director of the Uffizi Galleries in Florence has pledged new selfie limits after a tourist damaged an 18th-century painting while posing in front of it for a photograph on Saturday. The clumsy visitor tore a hole in the bottom corner of the canvas, a portr...