This January, the ItalianROSE research team embarked on a shared exploratory trip to Milan and Genoa, diving deep into the cities’ state, diocesan, and private archives. By day, we sifted through centuries-old documents; by night and weekend, we wandered through museums, churches, and, of course, sampled the local cuisine.
Each of us found something unexpected—stories that shed new light on migration, trade, slavery, and cultural entanglements in early modern Italy. Here are some of our highlights:
Emily: A bill of safe-conduct for a Muslim family traveling from Genoa to Milan to convert, now housed in the Archivio di Stato di Milano. And in Genoa, the extraordinary frescoes of Santa Maria di Castello, a stunning blend of artistic traditions.
Alexandros: Invisible ink letters from Genoese spies in Constantinople, revealing the world of early modern espionage. Baptism records from Milan documenting the conversions of slaves and even a Croatian trumpeter. Plus, letters from the Giustiniani in Chios, fiercely reclaiming their Genoese heritage.
Mary: The alms book of Cardinal Borromeo, which lists payments to a diverse mix of Milan’s foreign residents—Flemings, Poles, and Scots “fleeing Lutherans”, Jews and “Turks” converting to Christianity, and countless Spanish and Portuguese friars seeking to fullfill their vocations. Also, a leather-bound volume from the Archive of the Misericordia in Genoa, recording the charitable bequests of formerly enslaved people.
Matteo: Two gems from the Archivio di Stato di Genova:
A 1679 edict warning against counterfeit coral, advising buyers how to tell real coral (sourced from Tabarka, off the coast of modern-day Tunisia) from cheap fakes. A fascinating glimpse into Genoa’s global trade networks!
A document detailing the sale of five young, enslaved Turks, captured by Croatian citizens from Rijeka and sold into Genoese households—an unsettling reminder of the Mediterranean’s deeply intertwined histories of commerce and exploitation.
Federica: A petition to Cardinal Borromeo in Milan, requesting that Muslim slaves not be forced to attend mass—apparently, they couldn’t stop laughing and making noise in church. And in Genoa, a confiscation list detailing the goods that North African galley slaves were selling on the streets.
These discoveries remind us how vibrant, diverse, and often surprising early modern Italy was. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into these findings!
The ItalianROSE team during a private visit to the parish archive of San Matteo in Genoa