That patriotic shoemaker praised by Parini

Cucchi: From Via Borgogna, I arrive at Via Anselmo Ronchetti , drawn as always by its singular opening, leading into the archway where it begins. Just a stone's throw from Piazza San Babila, the street retains its ancient, picturesque charm, and here it's only right and proper to mention the special figure to whom it is dedicated. Ronchetti, who lived between 1773 and 1833, is referred to on the street sign as a "patriot." He was indeed a celebrated shoemaker of his time, as well as a lover of literature, praised by no less than great authors such as Carlo Porta, Vincenzo Monti, and Giuseppe Parini. Ugo Foscolo, who was his friend and later called him an "egregious craftsman," also wrote. The street leads us in the footsteps of a man who, as we've been told, even made boots for Napoleon ... Anselmo Ronchetti was born in a village on the outskirts of the city, Pogliano Milanese, where his memory is rightly proudly preserved and where a literary prize, curated by the young poet Valerio Mello, has even been dedicated to him in recent years. From his village, the shoemaker soon moved to Milan , working on Via Cerva. Meanwhile, I resume my walk along the street named after him, which is among the narrowest and most private in our city. I observe some elegant two-story houses and, on the opposite side, a building covered in a formidable cascade of leaves. Thus, I arrive at the nearby Corso Monforte, read the sign for the old "Boeucc" restaurant on the corner, and decide to retrace my steps. The street, indeed, bends sharply on the other side, in the opposite direction, bringing me right to Via Cerva, where our man once had his shop. The walk revealed to me a central street, but I don't think it was very busy, and it aroused in me the desire to know more about the singular man to whom it was dedicated, to this craftsman who in his time enjoyed much esteem and considerable notoriety.