People

In some cities, such as Venice and London, walking around with curiosity, looking up and not getting too caught up in shop windows can reveal new discoveries and knowledge. In London, Blue Plaques commemorate famous people from the past who lived or…

Zanetta Farussi, a Venetian theatre actress nicknamed ‘la Buranella’, was known for her beauty, talent and frivolous character. Married to the actor Gaetano Casanova, she had six children, including Giacomo Casanova. Despite financial difficulties…

Son of Jacopo and brother of Giovanni, Gentile Bellini was born in Venice in early 1429; his date of birth is assumed from the 6 February will of his mother Anna, who feared for her life in view of the imminent birth. In the signature of the lost…

Jacopo Negretti was born in Venice between 1548 and 1550 to Antonio and Giulia Brunello, granddaughter of the painter Bonifacio de' Pitati. He was nicknamed Palma the Younger to distinguish him from his famous great-uncle, also a painter, Palma the…

Venetian intellectual, artist, architect and designer among the most important of the 20th century. His architectural work ranged from object design to interior design, from exhibition design to museum layouts, from restoration to construction.

One of the greatest architects and sculptors of the 16th century whose extraordinary talent contributed to some marvellous creations. In Venice, he was the driving force behind Roman classicism and 'proto' of the Republic, a position he held until…

Inimitable life': this is the definition that D'Annunzio himself gave of his own existence lived in luxury, full of dazzling and unfaithful loves and participation in the First World War as an aviator. And with Venice? It was love at first sight.

Paolo Caliari, known as the Veronese, was born in Verona in 1528. The family's real surname is not known, but it is known that Paolo took the surname Caliari from 1555 onwards, signing the contract for the Montagnana Pala. In 1541 his name appears…

"[...] the World has been able to certify that it is more difficult for the Tintorettos to be reborn than the Apelli, since the things he did in his youth gave everyone cause for admiration". This is how Carlo Ridolfi, perhaps the most famous…

Pietro Lando was the 78th doge of the Serenissima (1539-1545).

The Crovato twins were the first Venetian citizens to be awarded the honour of Venetian of the Year in 1978. They were recognised for their valuable work in witnessing the degradation of the abandoned islands in the lagoon.

The 34th edition of the Venetian of the Year Award 2012 was presented to an internationally renowned Venetian astrophysicist scientist: Fabrizio Tamburini. He was awarded for a sensational discovery that could revolutionise the world of…