Francesco Miniscalchi

You are now looking at Francesco Miniscalchi (1811-1875). Following the annexation of Veneto to the Kingdom of Italy, he was elected among the first Senators of Verona in the new Parliament.

As a child, his parents instilled in him a passion for travelling. With them he visited much of Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, France and England. Later travels took him to Greece, Asia Minor, Palestine, Arabia and Egypt. Passionate about geographical studies and cartography, Francesco gave a considerable boost to geographical knowledge with a book focusing on the Arctic discoveries. He was also among the promoters in 1867 of the Italian Geographical Society, of which he became Vice President.  At the invitation of the Viceroy of Egypt, on 17 November 1869, together with his son Attilio and numerous authorities, he took part in the ceremonies for the inauguration of the Suez Canal.

On his left, the busts of his mother, Marianna Erizzo; and his wife, Eleonora Guerrieri.