Deirdre Pirro, author of Italian Sketches: The Faces of Modern Italy, Famous Expats in Italy and Royals in Florence, published by The Florentine Press, is an international lawyer who lives and works in Florence. Her writing focuses on modern Italy, its people, history and customs. Follow her on Twitter @dp_in_florence or contact her at ddpirro@gmail.com.
The northern Italian cyclist won the Tour de France in 1924 and 1925.
The writerly couple lived in Florence in the 1860s on the run from creditors.
A closer look at five centuries of the fortress' history and the next five years of developments.
A look at the fascinating life of the historical figure.
Art Deco architecture and details make this landmark worth a visit.
The task of these 12 men was to collect funds, seek out the needy and distribute the alms.
Francesco de' Medici's wife once had her own private chamber in the Palazzo Vecchio.
The massive scale of Luca’s palace would make it the largest private home in the world at that time.
On May 26, 1805, Napoleon Bonaparte declared himself as the King of Italy in Milan Cathedral, crowning himself with the Iron Crown of Lombardy.
Mary McCarthy’s 'The Stones of Florence' (1959) still has much to offer.
A brief history on the iconic Italian fashion designer Renato Balestra and his impact on the world of fashion.
Home-atelier museum Casa Schlatter houses a collection of over 350 Schlatter works and artefacts that are available for public viewing.
An insightful history about hot chocolate and where to find the best cup in Florence.
Isabella Stewart Gardner spent over one million dollars between 1894 and 1903 building her collection of over 40 old masters’ paintings.
Maria Annunziata Carolina Bonaparte, the youngest sister of Napoleon Bonaparte and Queen of Naples, was buried in the San Salvi Church.
Summer 2022 brought exciting discoveries in Pompeii, the largest working archaeological site in the world, attracting millions of tourists every year. About 24 kilometers south of Naples, this Ancient Roman ...
The centenary of the birth of Margherita Hack, one of Italy’s most illustrious astrophysicists and the first woman to become the director of an astronomy observatory (Trieste, 1964–87), was celebrated ...
The history of Montelupo's ceramics factory and the story of the family that were behind the potter's wheel for over a hundred years.