On a wartime night in August of 1944, the historic bridges of Florence were bombed, destroyed as German forces fled the city. Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge spared. Why would it not suffer the same fate as the other fallen bridges?
Category: History
Leonardo da Vinci in Seven Stories
He left us master works such as The Last Supper and Mona Lisa. His intricate, ahead-of-his time thinking influenced the worlds of art, science and engineering. But at the heart of this Renaissance rock star was someone intensely human. 573 years after his birth, here are seven stories to celebrate the man behind the legendary…
Nine Places in Europe to Experience Ancient Rome
In its heyday, the Roman Empire occupied more than two million square miles and stretched from England to Egypt, with its citizens numbering around 120 million people. With such an enormous reach, the ancient Romans understandably left evidence of their heritage not only in Rome and Italy, but throughout Europe. As a companion piece to…
Paestum: Ancient Greece in Southern Italy
While there are plenty of sites throughout Italy to time travel to Ancient Rome, in Southern Italy you can also experience magnificent ruins once touched by the hands of ancient Greeks. One such spot is Paestum, an easy day trip from Naples, Sorrrento/Amalfi or Salerno. Paestum is home to three incredible Greek temples dating back…
Beyond Rome: Five Sites in Italy to Transport You to Ancient Rome
Of course if it’s ancient Rome you’re after, then Rome is an absolute must. You will want to put the Colosseum and Forum at the top of your list, and you might want to sneak in time at Circus Maximus. Plan plenty of time at the Pantheon, and as a general rule, be on the…
Nine Beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Cities for Your Italy Wish List
“Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations.” –UNESCO World Heritage Center Since 1972, UNESCO has designated sites throughout the world, both natural and man-made, as World Heritage Sites, in an effort to help preserve and protect “cultural and natural heritage around the…
Saint Catherine of Siena, Patron Saint of Italy
In a country filled with cities and towns each protected by a different patron saint, Italy, as a country, is watched over by two patron saints: Saint Francis of Assisi, and Saint Catherine of Siena. Today marks the feast day of Saint Catherine, who died in Rome on this day in 1380, at just 33…
Of Birds, Brothers and Beginnings: The Birth of Rome
Rome celebrates its birthday on April 21, and today marks its 2,773rd year. How did a flock of birds influence the birth of Rome?
These 14 Universities in Italy Have Welcomed Students Since the 1400s — or Earlier
As roughly 207 million college students worldwide begin their new fall term, many will attend universities which have been in operation since the 1400s — some since the 1200s. Being a passionate armchair historian, I find that information very enticing. The university as we regard it today —  an educational institution designed for instruction, examination, or…
The Oldest Universities in Italy: A Sneak Peek
Not only is Italy home to the oldest university in all of Europe and nearly the oldest in the world, il bel paese is also home to multiple universities which have been in continual operation for several centuries. Where might one find these educational treasures? And how many might there be still in operation? Here’s…
Prayers & Piazzas 