Let’s review the history of Giovanni Battista also known as Mastro Titta. He was the official executioner for the Papal States from 1796 to 1864 till 5 years before he died in 1869 on June 18. It has been recorded that he was the longest-serving executioner in the States. He also got his nickname from it as Mastro Titta, a Roman corruption of maestro di giustizia, or master of justice.
He was born in Senigallia, Italy on 6 March 1779. After serving for 68 years long at the age of 85, he was retired by Pop Pius IX with a monthly pension of 30 scudi.
Giovanni started the execution at the age of 17, on 22 March 1796. The world has now witnessed his blood-stained clothes, axes, and guillotines which are on display at the Museum of Criminology at Via del Gonfalone in Rome. The guillotine is of a very peculiar build, with a straight blade and V-shaped neckpiece.
It is thrilling to know those were the tools which used to execute people in those days and are kept safe in the Museum to this day.
