ROME — One of the most remarkable treasures of the Italian Renaissance — the Borso D’Este Bible, a 15th-century illuminated manuscript celebrated for its exquisite artistry and craftsmanship — has gone on public display in Rome for the first time in years. The unveiling marks part of the Vatican’s Holy Year celebrations, drawing art lovers, historians, and religious scholars from across the world.

The two-volume masterpiece, adorned with gold and lapis lazuli details, was officially presented Thursday inside the Italian Senate, where it will remain on view until January 16. The event was broadcast live as the rare volumes arrived under tight security, enclosed in two red crates and carefully unpacked by specialists wearing gloves.

A Jewel of Renaissance Artistry

Created between 1455 and 1461, the Borso D’Este Bible stands as a monumental collaboration between calligrapher Pietro Paolo Marone and illustrators Taddeo Crivelli and Franco dei Russi. The Italian Culture Ministry hails it as one of the finest examples of Renaissance miniature art — a unique fusion of sacred devotion, historical significance, and masterful design.

Ordinarily housed under lock and key at the Gallerie Estensi in Modena, the Bible is rarely displayed to the public due to its fragility and immense cultural value. During its Roman exhibition, the manuscript will remain sealed behind protective glass, but visitors can explore every page digitally through ultra-high-resolution touchscreen displays, allowing them to experience its intricate illuminations and script without direct contact.

“The Mona Lisa of Illuminated Manuscripts”

Alessandra Necci, director of the Gallerie Estensi, described the Borso D’Este Bible as “the Mona Lisa of illuminated manuscripts,” highlighting both its artistic brilliance and spiritual depth. “It unites sacred meaning, historic importance, precious materials, and refined beauty,” she said during the presentation.

A Source of Spiritual and Artistic Inspiration

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, who oversees the Vatican’s Jubilee Year celebrations, expressed hope that the exhibition would inspire visitors to reconnect with the Bible in their own lives. “The splendor of this manuscript is a provocation,” he said, “one that invites contemplation not only of its beauty but of the divine word contained within it.”

A Noble Legacy and Remarkable Journey

Commissioned by Duke Borso D’Este of Ferrara, the lavish manuscript was originally part of the Este family’s private collection. It remained with the dynasty for centuries until Francesco V of Austria-Este, the last duke, fled to Vienna in 1859 during political upheaval and took the Bible with him.

According to the Italian Senate’s historical record, the manuscript stayed with the Habsburg family even after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire following World War I. In 1922, after the death of Archduke Charles I, his widow Zita of Bourbon-Parma decided to sell the Bible to a Parisian antiquarian.

The following year, Italian entrepreneur and philanthropist Giovanni Treccani — best known as the founder of Italy’s renowned Treccani Encyclopaedia — learned of the sale. Determined to return the national treasure to Italy, he personally traveled to Paris and purchased the manuscript for 3.3 million French francs in 1923, before donating it to the Italian state.

A Rare Glimpse Into Italy’s Renaissance Splendor

Art historians regard the Borso D’Este Bible as a turning point in Renaissance illumination, distinguished by its harmonious color palette, precise lettering, and rich narrative imagery. The combination of gold leaf and Afghan lapis lazuli pigments exemplifies the luxury and devotion of 15th-century Italian art.

For visitors in Rome, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to witness a cornerstone of Italy’s artistic heritage — a luminous artifact bridging faith, history, and creative genius.

Source: AP News – One of the most spectacular Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, a bible, on rare display in Rome

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An early morning mishap in the heart of Rome left locals stunned — and Italy’s fire brigade with a unique rescue job.

An 80-year-old man accidentally drove his Mercedes-Benz A-Class halfway down the iconic Spanish Steps around 4 a.m. Tuesday, prompting a swift response from police and firefighters.

“I Was Wrong,” Says Driver After Staircase Blunder

According to Italian media, the driver told police he was “going to work” and had simply taken a wrong turn. While he wasn’t injured, he was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Police later confirmed he tested negative for drugs and alcohol, and that he held a valid driver’s license.

It remains unclear whether he was using GPS at the time of the incident.

A Delicate Rescue on Historic Ground

Firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after police stopped the vehicle. To remove the car safely from the 18th-century staircase, the fire department deployed a crane from the base of the steps. Photos show some damage to the vehicle, though it’s not confirmed if it resulted from the incident.

The Spanish Steps have since been closed to the public while archaeologists inspect the site for possible damage, as is standard protocol when incidents occur involving Rome’s historic landmarks.

Age and the Rules of the Road

Under Italian law, drivers over 80 must renew their license every two years and pass a medical exam, which includes basic cognitive assessments. The unnamed man was reportedly in compliance with these requirements.

Not the First Time the Steps Took a Hit

This isn’t the first vehicular blunder on the Spanish Steps:

• In 2022, a Saudi tourist drove a Maserati down the same staircase and was charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage after fracturing two of the steps.
• That same year, two American tourists were fined and briefly banned from Rome’s city center after damaging the steps with electric scooters.

A Cinematic and Cultural Treasure

The Spanish Steps — named after the nearby Spanish Embassy to the Holy See — are among Rome’s most beloved landmarks. Featured in the classic film Roman Holiday (1953) starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, the staircase underwent a major €1.5 million ($1.7 million) restoration in 2015.

What’s Next?

As of now, officials are waiting for the results of the archaeological inspection to determine whether the landmark suffered any structural harm. Meanwhile, the man’s wrong turn has sparked renewed calls for tighter vehicle access restrictions near historic sites — and a reminder of how fragile these cultural icons really are.

Source:  CNN – Elderly man drives down Rome’s Spanish Steps and gets stuck

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In 1947, the town of Gorizia was split between Italy and Slovenia, leaving its two parts divided for decades. But in 2025, the two cities will reunite as the first transnational European Capital of Culture, an unprecedented celebration of shared heritage and cross-border cooperation.

Standing in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, a modernist town with a population of 30,000, I’m just a few steps from the invisible border that separates it from Italy’s medieval Gorizia. I don’t need a passport to cross into the Italian side, but I do step into a new world.

Once, these towns were one. In 1947, after World War II, the Treaty of Paris drew new borders in Europe, and the town was divided along the Isonzo River. Gorizia was allocated to Italy, and the area on the opposite side became part of Yugoslavia, later evolving into Nova Gorica. From then on, they lived as two separate towns, split by borders and political systems.

But when Slovenia joined the European Union in 2004, the once-restrictive border became just a line on a map. The new openness sparked a cultural exchange that, by 2025, will culminate in their co-hosting of the European Capital of Culture under the banner GO!2025.

This award, which attracts millions of visitors each year, will see between 2 and 5 million tourists flocking to the region in 2025, a sharp increase from the usual 250,000 annual visitors. The towns, historically overlooked, are now preparing for an influx of travelers, drawing attention to their unique charm and history. To celebrate, a packed schedule of cultural events, from music and dance performances to art exhibits, will showcase the vibrant cultural fusion of these twin towns.

Two Towns, One Spirit

Despite sharing a history, Gorizia and Nova Gorica offer contrasting atmospheres. Gorizia, with its medieval cobblestone streets, lively cafes, and imposing castle, feels like a step back in time. The castle houses a museum filled with interactive exhibits that bring its rich history to life.

In stark contrast, Nova Gorica—designed in the Modernist style—bears the imprint of post-war Yugoslav ambition. Its concrete architecture and carefully planned streets tell the story of a town built to showcase the possibilities of a new political and cultural reality. While unassuming at first glance, Nova Gorica surprises with hidden gardens, crumbling palaces, and faded murals—reminders of the city’s turbulent past.

Though unglamorous at first, Nova Gorica’s understated beauty makes it a place worth exploring. And with the spotlight of the European Capital of Culture, it is poised to captivate millions of visitors, just as it did me.

A Transnational Capital of Culture

The European Capital of Culture designation is awarded by the EU to two towns each year, and 2025 will see Gorizia and Nova Gorica make history as the first transnational recipients. The joint bid, which promotes the idea of a “borderless” cultural exchange, is symbolic of Europe’s evolving understanding of borders and national identity. With two cultures and languages—Slovenian and Italian—interwoven in daily life, the towns are a living example of cross-border cooperation.

Administratively, Gorizia and Nova Gorica remain distinct, but in practice, the border feels more like a concept than a reality. People speak both languages, and locals freely cross back and forth. Some, like Tomaž Gržeta, a Slovenian music journalist, choose to live on one side and work on the other, a testament to the seamless integration of these two towns.

While there are no checkpoints to cross the border, one of the most iconic spots for tourists is Piazza Transalpina. Straddling both countries, this cultural hub allows visitors to stand in two places at once—half in Italy, half in Slovenia. As part of the GO!2025 program, the square has been transformed into a vibrant cultural space featuring an underground art gallery, amphitheater-style seating, and performance areas, all celebrating the shared heritage of these two towns.

A Rich and Complicated History

Gorizia and Nova Gorica’s borderless identity is rooted in a complex history. Over the centuries, the region passed through various political hands: the Habsburgs, Napoleon, Austria-Hungary, the Kingdom of Italy, Yugoslavia, and now Italy and Slovenia.

Local tour guide Evelin Bizjak offers a personal reflection of the region’s shifting borders: “My grandma was born in Austria-Hungary. My father was born in the Kingdom of Italy. I was born in Yugoslavia. If I had kids, they’d be born in Slovenia.” The fluidity of identity and the historical layers of this area are embodied in local landmarks, like the Slovenian Smuggling Museum and its Italian counterpart, the Lasciapassare Museum. These museums offer a glimpse into life along the border, showcasing the smuggling culture that arose when strict travel restrictions were imposed.

In the mid-20th century, when the border was drawn, families had just two months to decide whether they wanted to be Yugoslav or Italian. Those who chose to live under Yugoslavia’s rule helped build Nova Gorica from a cluster of houses into a planned town. While architect Edvard Ravnikar’s modernist vision shaped part of the town, much of it was built according to practical needs rather than aesthetic ideals, leaving Nova Gorica with a somewhat unfinished feel.

A Cultural Crossroads

My visit ends at Kostanjevica, a 16th-century Franciscan church overlooking both towns. The church, nearly destroyed in World War I, was lovingly restored and houses the tombs of French king Charles X and his family. It’s a striking reminder of the area’s rich cultural tapestry—where French royalty rests among Slovenian and Italian landmarks, and where centuries of history converge.

From Kostanjevica, I can see both Gorizia and Nova Gorica, situated between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. This is where two cultures meet and thrive, where borders blur and coexistence thrives. As the first transnational European Capital of Culture, GO!2025 is an opportunity to explore and celebrate a truly unique European region—a place where history, culture, and the spirit of collaboration create something extraordinary.

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