Heritage

The term Carnevale stems from the Latin expression carnem levare, which roughly translates to an urging to abstain from eating meat. Indeed, the day after Mardi Gras, the climax of Carnival, marks the beginning of Lent, a period extending until …

A few years ago, a study revealed a significant insight into Italians’ sense of identity, when it discovered they overwhelmingly consider their language as the most crucial factor defining national identity. The essence of this revelation lies in the discovery of of …

You may know her from the “scandalous” Sicilian dessert, or at least have seen it in photos. Small mounds, covered in a layer of sugary, white marzipan and adorned with a candied cherry on top. It’s also popular in iconic …

Think about Brunelleschi’s cupola, in Florence, think about its color… that rich, beautiful orangey-red, so vibrant and clean, so vivid against the blue skies of a terse winter day. Well, that color is all down to Impruneta terracotta.  Impruneta, set in …

Many are familiar with the founding date of Rome, the 21st of April. But have you ever wondered about the birth of the Roman Empire? Unlike the city’s legendary foundation, the inception of the Roman Empire isn’t marked by a singular, …

The culture of good food is as central to the heart and soul of Italy as practically any other facet of the Dolce Vita. Each of Italy’s regions is renowned for distinctive food and wine specialties, all lovingly produced with pride …

As the summer heat wanes and the air turns crisp, Italy undergoes a transformation. The country, renowned for its art, history, and gastronomy, dons a vibrant palette of autumnal hues, making it an even more enchanting destination. From the rolling …

Ginori 1735 is among the most iconic names of Italian porcelain making, but you may be more familiar with the way it used to be called until a couple—four, to be precise!—years ago, Richard Ginori. Its story, as you may …

The cult of Bacchus, or Dionysus as he was known in ancient Greece, has roots that stretch back to the cradle of Western civilization and, while many know him only as the god of wine, he was much more than that.  …

Chiacchiere, bugie, frappe, and cenci. No matter the name, they are a similar Carnival snack—thin, deep-fried strips of a liqueur-enriched dough that are tossed in sugar and munched upon during the festivities. In Venice, arguably home to Italy’s most famous …