Italian flavors: Mortadella Bologna
The origins of Mortadella Bologna are to be found in the area of ancient Etruscan Felsina and the Bonomia of the Gallic Boii, places rich in oak forests that provided tasty acorns for the numerous local swine, both wild and domesticated. There are two theories regarding the origin of the name: one is that it derives from “murtatum”, meaning meat fi...
Italian good news: Airbnb, an important support for the economy of small Italian villages
According to the findings of a study conducted by the Politecnico University of Turin, Piedmont, the research carried out of 270 villages belonging to the list "I borghi più belli d’Italia," showed that short term rentals and realities such as Airbnb grow rural tourism and Italy's artistic heritage. In particular, they help boost the local economy,...
Italian handcrafts: Footwear of Riviera del Brenta
One of the oldest congregations of shoemakers was founded in Venice in the 13th century. The Statute of the Congregation was reformed in 1268, the year used to calculate the duration of the Art of the Calegheri. The seal of the “Confraternita dei Calegheri” (Cobblers’ Confraternity) has remained a badge for the sector for centuries, which from Veni...
Italian wine: One of Campania's Greatest White Grapes with Aia dei Colombi Falanghina del Sannio
This month we venture to the region of Campania highlighting the native white grape, Falanghina. Campania is a region in southern Italy located on the western coast along the Tyrrhenian Sea. With Naples as the capital of Campania that most are familiar with, maybe you’ve also been fortunate to travel there to explore the Amalfi Coast and the ancien...
Italian gardens and parks: The Botanical Garden of Collemaggio, L'Aquila
The Botanical Garden of Collemaggio is located near the church with the same name, on the outskirts of the city of L'Aquila. Originally, the garden was used by the Celestinian monks who lived in the basilica, and then in in 1965 it began property of the Faculty of Mathematical, Chemical, Physical and Natural Sciences of the University of L'Aquila....
Italian jewelry industry closes 2022 with turnover at +22%
The Italian jewelry industry files a decidedly positive 2022, with sales of 13.2 billion euros, up 22.1 percent from the previous year, a result that reinforces the important rebound accrued in 2021 (+55.3 percent). Exports (worth 70 percent of turnover) exceeded 9 billion euros, fully recovering pre-Covid levels in both value (+41 percent) and qua...
John Cabot University honors Rocco b. Commisso at 50th anniversary New York gala
John Cabot University, the fully accredited American University located in the heart of Rome, hosted its annual Gala in New York City to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The premiere university event took place at the Union League Club. The New York Gala, is a celebration of John Cabot University and offers the opportunity to support its academic in...
Anonymous births and safe heaven baby boxes: Italy's new controversy
In Italy, a woman who -- for whatever reason -- decides she can't take care of her baby can leave it in a safe haven baby box, in complete anonymity. It’s increasingly rare for Italian women to choose this option, but it still happens. Over Easter, one woman decided to anonymously drop her baby boy into such a box at one of Milan’s biggest hospital...
Tomaso's closing after 46 years. How to visit the iconic Phoenix restaurant one last time
Tomaso's has long been an Italian cuisine institution in Phoenix, the first of what would become a family-run Italian restaurant empire. But after 46 years, the Maggiore family announced they are ready to close the chapter. The restaurant was opened by Tomaso and Patricia Maggiore in 1977 and their children went on to open their own restaurants aro...
Agritourism in Italy is worth 12.5 billion: 50 percent growth in 10 years
Agritourism in recent years has become one of the pillars of Italian agriculture: in 2021 it was worth more than 12.5 billion euros, with a growth of 50 percent in the last ten years, and accounts for more than one-fifth of the total value of production in the primary sector. It is the most widespread related activity practiced by 38 percent of the...
Harrisburg-based Italian restaurant plans May opening of Carlisle location
Less than six months after Nonna Ilva made its Broad Street Market debut in Harrisburg, the Italian restaurant plans to open another location in Carlisle. The business, featuring Italian cuisine and desserts, is anticipated to open at 204 N. Hanover St., around May 11, owner Mattia Cappella said. He said the Carlisle location will have a larger...
Apulia, a key region for Italian pasta
Apulia is Italy’s leading producer of durum wheat, with 360 thousand hectares cultivated and 10 thousand tons on an annual basis. However, these figures have declined significantly in the last three years: according to Istat data, there were only 344,700 hectares invested for a production of 6 million 877,000 quintals and a yield of 19.95 quintals...