Italian history is full of famous characters, recognized not only on the Italian territory but also and especially in the rest of the world. The Italian culture is a rich and colourful one that affects all possible areas. Architecture, writing, engineering, science, politics, and more. The most important Italians in history are many, although among them there are some names that, for obvious reasons, are recognized more than others.
The 10 most important Italians in history
It is almost impossible to try and name the 10 most important Italians in history, but today we want to try and do so. Obviously, since Italy, despite its relatively small size, is a country incredibly rich in culture and history, it is difficult to talk about 10 precise characters since the “great protagonists of the past” can be found in almost every area. From astronomy to politics, from science to engineering, from music to sport. So, let’s try to make a summary list of those that we believe to be the 10 most important Italian characters ever.
The 10 most important Italians in history: artists and musicians
The most important Italian artists in history are surely:
- Michelangelo Buonarroti, sculptor and painter of worldwide fame, painter of frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and statues such as Pietà (Basilica of the Vatican – Rome) and Moses (Basilica of St. Peter –Rome).
- Raffaello Sanzio, famous creator of the Marriage of the Virgin, kept in the art gallery of Brera, Milan.
- Ennio Morricone, famous music composer and author of the most beautiful musical soundtracks ever, at an international level
- Andrea Bocelli, famous music composer and author of the most beautiful musical soundtracks ever, at an international level
The 10 most important Italians of all time: the literary arts
Among the 10 most important Italians in history some great contemporary writers and of the past certainly deserve a mention. Among the most important names of all time we must certainly remember that of the Tuscan Dante Alighieri, a writer of works of inestimable value such as the Divine Comedy and Convivio;
Italo Calvino, with his “The Baron in the trees” and “American Lessons”, and Umberto Eco, from Milan, creator of one of the most famous literary works in the world which is “The name of the Rose”, world bestseller translated into every language.
The 10 most important Italians of all time: Science & Engineering
Italy certainly stands out because of the presence, in its past, of many historical figures who were dedicated to contributing to science and in general to all scientific subjects. There are also names of great engineers and architects. Among the scientists we must certainly remember two great women of the past:
the astrophysicist Margherita Hack and the doctor/Nobel Prize for Medicine (1986) Rita Levi Montalcini. As for the engineering sector, one of the major contributions to innovation was given by the artist and eclectic genius Leonardo da Vinci, the first to attempt to allow man to fly, but also the Creator of the famous “Communicating vessels”.