La presenza Italiana a Lisbona nella prima metà del cinquecento

The present contribution aims, through a brief analysis of the Italian presence in Portugal and mainly in its capital city, Lisbon, to call the attention to the activities of the Italian merchants in the golden age of Portuguese history following the opening of the new maritime route to India and at the beginning of the highly profitable trade with the East. Thanks to the royal privileges and to the strong entrepreneurial mentality of those foreigners, success came quickly. The Italian community of the first half of the XVIth century, rich and fully integrated into the Portuguese society, became so aware of its strength and importance to build, in 1518, its own church, dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto with special privileges making it directly dependent on the Holy See. The church became the common point of reference for all the Italians living in Lisbon and a profound tie to their native country.