Cesare Pascarella

Born in Rome on April 28, 1858, Cesare Pascarella was an Italian poet and painter best known for writing in Romanesco, the dialect of Rome. He began as a visual artist, but from the early 1880s he also started publishing sonnets that quickly drew attention for their freshness and strong sense of place.

His work often focused on ordinary people, city life, and episodes from history, all told with warmth and a sharp ear for spoken language. Among his best-known books are Villa Glori and La scoperta dell'America, works that helped make him one of the most distinctive literary voices connected with Rome.

Pascarella continued to be recognized later in life and was appointed to the Royal Academy of Italy in 1930. He died in Rome on May 8, 1940, leaving behind a body of work that still stands out for its charm, humor, and deep connection to the character of the city.