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Exploring the traditions of Lent in Italy can lead us down a path of rituals deeply connected both with Christian beliefs and local customs.  In Puglia, for instance, many families practice a curious rite involving … a grater. Il rito …

Every year on April 21st, the streets of Rome come alive to celebrate the birthday of the Eternal City, which tradition says was founded on the 21st of April 753 BC by the first of its seven kings,  Romulus. According to the …

Gambling was a pervasive aspect of Venetian life, reflecting the city’s wealth and status as a major cultural and trade hub. In Venice, everyone gambled everywhere: people engaged in games of chance in private homes, public squares, and during festivals, …

…Say the title out loud and every Italian will think immediately about the popular advertisement campaigns from the 1980s and 1990s, that saw Raffaella Carrà first and then Lorella Cuccarini support Scavolini kitchens on TV. Iconic! Scavolini’s journey, however, started much earlier, …

The history of mirrors dates back thousands of years, when our ancestors would use natural bodies of water, like lakes and ponds, as the first reflective surfaces, intrigued by their own images seen in these transient reflections. Curiosity led to experimentation with …

Cirio Conserve, an iconic name in the Italian food industry, represents a significant part of Italy’s culinary history. Founded by Francesco Cirio in 1856, the company became a pioneer in the industrial preservation of tomatoes and other vegetables. Cirio’s impact on the food …

Our word of the day, cogliere (koh-lleeai-reh) has a versatile range of uses and variations in meaning, rooted in its origin and etymology. Its broad spectrum of applications in the Italian language shows how adaptable it is in many different contexts!  Cogliere comes …

Gaeta is a picturesque town on the Tyrrhenian coast of Italy known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking natural landscapes, which make it a beloved tourist destination. Located in the Lazio region, in the province of Latina, Gaeta …

Today’s word, impeccabile (eem-pek-kah-bee-lai) is something you want to be associated with anything you do. It comes from the Latin impeccabilis, which combines the prefix “in-” (meaning “not”) with peccare (meaning “to sin” or “to make a mistake”). Thus, its …

Today’s word, raffinato(rahf-fee-nah-toh) truly embodies elegance, sophistication, and a touch of luxury.  Raffinato was first attested as an adjective (so it has a feminine and plural form, too) in the 16th century, and comes from the Italian verb raffinare, which …