The Italian Tribune

09/14/2021

Many have asked this summer, how cicadas are able to produce such loud noises? What many do not realize is that in asking the question, we are following in the footsteps of one of the greatest scientists of all time. The scientist was Galileo Galilei and his question about cicada sounds played a key role in his dealings with the Catholic Church, especially in his attempts to win the good graces of Pope Urban VIII.

Many have asked this summer, how cicadas are able to produce such loud noises? Scientist Galileo has proposed the same question.

09/13/2021

With destinations in Italy opening up for tourism again, travels that take in the great outdoors look set for a genuine post-pandemic boom. In this brave new outdoor world, Italy’s beautiful, fragrant and historic gardens are seeing a great resurgence. Alongside the Renaissance art that draws visitors from all around the world, Italy has gardens and green spaces that date back centuries.

With destinations in Italy opening up for tourism again, travels that take in the great outdoors look set for a genuine post-pandemic boom.

09/12/2021

In the early 15th century, as the Italian Renaissance was sweeping through Florence, one of its rising stars was the painter Tommaso di Ser Giovanni di Simone, who earned the enduring nickname Masaccio, which means Messy Thomas. He was a big fellow, who cared little about his personal appearance, but was a brilliant artist, using perspective and shadows in his paintings to create a three dimensional image.

Tommaso di Ser Giovanni di Simone was an artist during the Renaissance known for his use of highly pigmented red paints.

09/11/2021

This year has been passionately embraced as a celebration of Dante Alighieri by Italy, commemorating the 700th anniversary of the death of the country’s national poet and father of the modern Italian language. Now handwritten manuscripts by the author of the Divine Comedy have been discovered by a nun; a remarkable finding, since no one has seen his handwriting in centuries.

Handwritten manuscripts by the author of the Divine Comedy have been discovered; no one has seen his handwriting in centuries.

09/10/2021

The Italian government has affirmed the decision to ban cruise ships from the Venice lagoon beginning August 1. It was hailed by UNESCO as “very good news and an important step that significantly contributes to the safeguarding of this unique heritage site.” The nearby industrial port of Marghera has been readied as the alternative docking point

The Italian government has affirmed the decision to ban cruise ships from the Venice lagoon beginning August 1.

09/10/2021

Chances are if you have been through the underground levels of the Colosseum, you are a well-credentialed archeologist. For everyone else, the heart of the structure, the subterranean levels known as the hypogea, have only been opened since 2016 and that represented only a small section.

For the first in the Colosseum’s 2,000-year history, visitors can see the extensive underground levels where gladiators and animals waited.

08/04/2021

When it comes to ancient Roman Imperial architecture, most people immediately think of white marble statues, columns and building fascia. While it is true that many important buildings and even piazzas were decorated with marble two thousand years ago, it was frequently not white, but colored marble, such as the beautiful green-veined Cipollino Verde, which was extracted from quarries hundreds of miles from Rome itself.

Marble is an iconic staple of Italian architecture and art, however, the stone we now associate with Rome used to have a different look.

08/04/2021

For those of you who have been to ROME. What would you said is the must see attractions?

08/03/2021

Authentic institutions of hospitality, the historic coffee houses of Italy, allow you to sip an espresso while contemplating the stylish interiors. These were temples of the cultural and political scenes of the 1800s and 1900s. The events they have witnessed and memories left by illustrious visitors let you travel back in time enjoying the historical heritage and traditions of Italy. This week we visit some of the most historic cafés throughout the country.

The events and memories left by the patrons of Italian cafes let you travel back in time while you enjoy both history and coffee.

08/02/2021

I love the summer; the warmth, the casual dinners, having friends over, the laughs… but most of all, I love to cook with fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and homemade, light pasta and sauces.

With the arrival of summer comes a variety of fresh Italian recipes, such as sweet and spicy peperonata or cocoa rubbed hanger steak.

08/01/2021

Constantino Brumidi was one of the many Italian Americans who died without recognition of his incredible work. It took more than a 125 years for the nation to recognize his genius.

Constantino Brumidi was one of many Italian Americans who died without recognition of his work, specifically in the Capitol Building.

07/31/2021

Enjoy a healthy summer by grilling your favorite foods. As I am not a hamburger, hot dog entertainer, I do appreciate others who like that type of July 4th BBQ, so please do.

Below I suggest a different type of grilled July 4th late day supper. I offer you my various ideas to choose from, like mussels to start with, then some delicious minty artichokes and grilled radicchio. Follow this up with grilled Chicken Bruschetta or a grilled Sicilian Swordfish with lemon, all healthy but scrumptious and easy to do! Make side dishes of ‘Corn that Italians Love’ and grilled asparagus with shaved Parmigiano.

Marion shares her favorite Fourth of July recipes, including mussels alla piastra and grilled artichokes with lemon.

07/30/2021

The Italian Tribune is thrilled to present 2 round trip, complimentary airline tickets to Milan, Italy. Dates of your choice (as per their flying days) from JFK MXP route, non-stop to Milan Malpensa Airport, in Economy.

Drawing will be held at the Italian Tribune office on Thursday, September 9, 2021 by an official of the Italian Government.

The Italian Tribune is offering 2 round trip, free airline tickets to Milan, Italy. Dates of your choice, JFK MXP route, to Malpensa Airport.

07/29/2021

We are pleased to announce the addition to our Italian Tribune family, Luigi Lanaro, a famed concierge from Milan, Italy, at a 5 Star hotel desk. This column will appear regularly in the Italian Tribune, as well as on our website.

Luigi Lanaro has been a Clefs d’Or Concierge Word Association member since 2013. Living in Milan, he is the life style consultant and referent for the trends and life in Italy. He writes for Milan Concierge Information and In Arte Periodico di Arte e Cultura. Educated at the Hotel College and Art College, he is passionate about cooking, art and tourism.

Renown concierge, Luigi Lanaro, joins the Italian Tribune in his new column to describe the beauty of the Tuscan city Punta Ala.

07/28/2021

A visit to Saint Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City is the dream of many who visit Rome, but many do not know they can climb to the cupola at the dome of the world-famous Basilica. Entry for visits to the dome of Saint Peter’s take place from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm, April through September, while during the remainder of the year, the tour closes an hour earlier.

A visit to Saint Peter’s Basilica is the goal of many who visit Rome, but most don't know they can climb to the cupola of the iconic monument.

07/27/2021

As most readers realize, at the time of the American Revolution there was not a united country called Italy. The Italian peninsula was still divided among a collection of city-states and the dominions of the Pope. However, Italians played a considerable part in the American war for independence. Additionally, events in Italy, both historic and contemporary, inspired America’s Founding Fathers. The independence movement in Corsica, first against Genoa and later against France, was something many Americans looked to and the historic legacy of the Roman Republic had a major influence on the establishment of the United States government.

Despite not yet being a unified country, Italian city-states played a considerable part in the American Revolution.

07/26/2021

Few Americans realize how influential an Italian author was by inspiring the Founding Fathers and promoting concepts that became part of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The author’s name was Cesare Beccaria. He was born in Milan in 1738, into a moderate level of the aristocracy. His father was Marchese Gian Beccaria Bonesana and his son was heir to become the Marchese or Marquis of Gualdrasco and Villareggio. Cesare received his early education in the Jesuit College at Parma. Subsequently, he graduated in law from the University of Pavia in 1758. He was a criminologist, jurist, philosopher and politician. In addition to his profound writings, he was also a brilliant mathematician, influential economist and is universally considered to be one of the greatest thinkers of the Age of Enlightenment.

Few Americans know how influential Italian author, Cesare Beccaria, was by inspiring the Founding Fathers in the creation of iconic documents.

07/15/2021

Roman Emperor Nero is remembered as a villain, but a new exhibition suggests there was more to the ruler than meets the eye. After Nero committed su***de in 68 AD, at the age of 30, a hostile Senate made a concerted effort to suppress any record of his existence. This act of damnatio memoriae, or condemnation of memory, consisted of defacing or destroying images bearing Nero’s likeness and it has made it difficult for the curators of “Nero: The Man Behind the Myth,” a new exhibition that opened at the British Museum in London.

Roman Emperor Nero is remembered as a villain, but a new exhibition suggests there was more to the ruler than meets the eye.