Recovered Columbus Letter Returns to Florence; Historic Palaces Open Courtyards; Matilde di Canossa Abbey Restored
La Repubblica reports on the recovery of a rare incunabulum containing Christopher Columbus's letter announcing the discovery of the New World. The letter, stolen from the Biblioteca Riccardiana in Florence and replaced with a forgery, was found after a four-year international investigation at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., which returned it upon confirming its illicit provenance. In Rome, Il Messaggero announces that on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22, the courtyards and gardens of 26 historic palaces—including Del Drago, Lante, Massimo Lancellotti, Sforza Cesarini, Odescalchi, and Torlonia—will open to the public, with some hosting art exhibitions. QN reports the completed restoration of the Abbey of Matilde di Canossa in San Benedetto Po, damaged by an earthquake four years ago in Emilia, now fully visitable again.
Key facts
- Christopher Columbus's letter announcing the discovery of the New World was recovered in Washington.
- The letter is an incunabulum stolen from the Biblioteca Riccardiana in Florence and replaced with a fake.
- The recovery followed a four-year international investigation.
- The Library of Congress in Washington returned the letter after confirming its illicit provenance.
- In Rome, 26 historic palaces open their courtyards and gardens to the public on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22.
- Palaces include Del Drago, Lante, Massimo Lancellotti, Sforza Cesarini, Odescalchi, and Torlonia.
- Some palaces will host art exhibitions during the openings.
- The Abbey of Matilde di Canossa in San Benedetto Po has been restored after earthquake damage four years ago.
Entities
Artists
- Matilde di Canossa
Institutions
- La Repubblica
- Il Messaggero
- QN
- Biblioteca Riccardiana
- Library of Congress
- Palazzo Del Drago
- Palazzo Lante
- Palazzo Massimo Lancellotti
- Palazzo Sforza Cesarini
- Palazzo Odescalchi
- Palazzo Torlonia
- Abbey of Matilde di Canossa
Locations
- Washington
- Florence
- Rome
- San Benedetto Po
- Emilia
- Italy
- United States