Poland

Bona Sforza – between Poland, Naples, and Bari. The Rivalry of the Great European Powers in the 16th Century

PixAngelantonio Spagnoletti, Articles and Studies, Heritage of Bona Sforza, nr 1 (2) 2020

In this article, the history of Bona Sforza is examined in the context of the relations between the European states of the first half of the 16th century, that is, the Empire of Charles V and the Catholic Monarchy and of Philip II in particular. The Queen of Poland and Duchess of Bari attempted to play a leading role in the international relations of the epoch, but she had to succumb to the wishes of the two Habsburgs, interested in regaining control over the Duchy of Bari and forming anti-Turkish alliances with Sigismondo II of Poland, a son of Bona.

Read more

Tommaso Fiore and the Crows of Warsaw

PixAlessandro Ajres, Discussions, overviews and commentaries, Heritage of Bona Sforza, nr 1 (2) 2020

The book is a commentary on the second trip that Tommaso Fiore made to Poland in 1953. He enthusiastically confronts what he considers to be enormous progress in comparison to his first visit (1948). Moreover, while speaking with some representatives of Polish society, he explores various topics, such as agriculture, the state-religion relationship, or the freedom of intellectuals. The text is a rare and detailed account of what was the Poland of the 1950s as seen from the perspective of a great historian.

Read more