“Tener casa aperta” or “aver casa aperta” literally mean to keep open house and to have an open house. What did early-modern and nineteenth-century Italians mean when they used these ex‐pressions? In this article I will try to answer this question mapping how they used them. While some uses had to do with hospitality and sociability, others had legal meanings, referring to privileges of aristocrats, rights and duties of citizens, differences between foreigners and local people, and taxpaying. I will pay particular attention to the latter, also suggesting possible geographical differences and changes over time. This will offer an opportunity to delve into the cultural and legal world of early-modern and nineteenth-century Italians, unveiling the importance of houses for one’s status.
Case Aperte im Italien der Frühen Neuzeit. Emische und etische Perspektiven auf „offene Häuser“
Raffaella Sarti
2023
Abstract
“Tener casa aperta” or “aver casa aperta” literally mean to keep open house and to have an open house. What did early-modern and nineteenth-century Italians mean when they used these ex‐pressions? In this article I will try to answer this question mapping how they used them. While some uses had to do with hospitality and sociability, others had legal meanings, referring to privileges of aristocrats, rights and duties of citizens, differences between foreigners and local people, and taxpaying. I will pay particular attention to the latter, also suggesting possible geographical differences and changes over time. This will offer an opportunity to delve into the cultural and legal world of early-modern and nineteenth-century Italians, unveiling the importance of houses for one’s status.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
