Matilde Serao (Patras, 1856 – Naples, 1927) was one of the most prominent figures in Italian journalism and literature at the turn of the 20th century. As the first Italian woman to found and edit a daily newspaper, Il Giorno di Napoli, she left an indelible mark on Neapolitan culture.
A prolific author, she chronicled Naples with a keen and passionate eye, giving a voice to its working-class neighborhoods, its traditions, and the contradictions of a city in constant flux. Her works—including The Belly of Naples(Il ventre di Napoli) and Neapolitan Legends (Leggende napoletane)—remain essential documents for understanding the very soul of the city.
Her writing, characterized by vivid realism and deep empathy for the marginalized, continues to inspire readers and scholars alike, confirming Matilde Serao as a fundamental voice in the Italian literary canon.
