In Italy, the presence of America was already recognized a century and a half before Christopher Columbus's expedition. The evidence resides in an old text that was lost, later discovered, and is currently stored in an unidentified location. In a text published by a Milanese Franciscan in the fourteenth century, Galvano Fiamma conceals a short reference to the country of Marckalada, situated west of Greenland. Sailors that traverse the North Seas describe it as a place abundant with plants and animals, where colossal structures and giants reside. It is startling news: the earliest reference of the American continent in the Mediterranean region, 150 years before the journey of Christopher Columbus. But, who is Galvano Fiamma and whence does he get such information? What did Italians actually know about the areas beyond the ocean? The answers to these questions may be found in a book released by Laterza recently. It is named "Marckalada - When America had another name" and was authored by Paolo Chiesa, professor at the State University of Milan and philologist. It is an exciting search like a spy story, an international plot full of twists and turns.
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