A recent study by the insurer Generali reveals that 73 percent of Swiss people plan to travel during the summer holidays. Italy is the preferred destination, with over a quarter of respondents planning their trip to this southern neighbor. Alongside the typically beautiful weather, Italy promises picturesque landscapes, rich culture, and excellent food for relaxation. Or put another way, Dolce vita – the “sweet life.” This term represents a lifestyle that embodies Italian living in its purest form. It describes the joy of life's simple pleasures: good food, excellent wine, convivial gatherings, and an appreciation for art and culture. It’s a life marked by enjoyment, relaxation, and a deep connection to nature.
In this blog post, we present a selection of historical securities that we hope will bring you a touch of Dolce vita.
Speda, Siciliani Prodotti Erboristici Derivati Agrumari, stock certificate from 1956, source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
Speda, Siciliani Prodotti Erboristici Derivati Agrumari
Sun-ripened oranges, mandarins, or lemons provide vitamins and are part of the southern way of life. Besides their high vitamin C content for daily nutrition, citrus fruits also serve as the basis for fruit juices and lemonades, as well as fragrances and spices. The company Speda, Siciliani Prodotti Erboristici Derivati Agrumari once specialized in processing and exporting the fruits native to Sicily.
Società Italiana per le Strade Ferrate del Mediterraneo., bond from 1887, source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
Società Italiana per le Strade Ferrate del Mediterraneo
Wandering through the charming streets of Mediterranean port cities and enjoying a gelato – made possible thanks to the Italian railway. The Società Italiana per le Strade Ferrate del Mediterraneo (Mediterranean Railway Company) was an Italian railway company that operated from 1885 to 1905.
Società Anonima Pesca e Reti Italiana, stock certificate from 1923, source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
Società Anonima Pesca e Reti Italiana
Fish is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine – naturally, it should be freshly caught. The Società Anonima Pesca e Reti Italiana involved deep-sea fishing with modern boats, the transport of fresh fish in refrigerated wagons, marketing in major cities of the Kingdom, as well as the production of cords, ropes, nets, and all other necessities for fishing.
Adria Società Anonima di Navigazione Marittima, stock certificate from 1932, source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
Adria Società Anonima di Navigazione Marittima
The Adriatic Sea shimmers in deep blue to turquoise and invites swimming. The Adria Company, also known as Regia Ungarica Società Anonima di Navigazione Marittima di Fiume, was founded in Budapest in 1881 and headquartered in Rijeka. It was the major steamship company in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, connecting Rijeka with ports in Northern Europe, the western Mediterranean, and South America. After the dissolution of the Empire in 1919, it was taken over by Italy and renamed several times. The company was dissolved in 1937.
Società An."Circolo del Tennis", stock certificate from 1928, source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
Società An."Circolo del Tennis"
For those who don't mind the heat, vacation time is perfect for hobbies – like playing tennis. These are the founder shares of Società An. "Circolo del Tennis" in Santa Margherita Ligure from 1928. Even today, there is a tennis club in this glamorous harbor town on the Ligurian coast.