Giovanni Battista Bugatti (1780–1869) was the official executioner for the Papal States from 1796 to 1865. He was the longest serving executioner in the States and was nicknamed Mastro Titta, a Roman corruption of maestro di giustizia, or master of justice.
He referred to his executions as justices and the condemned as patients. He first execution was on March 22, 1796. Up until 1816, the method of execution was beheading by axe or hanging. After 1816, the Papal States began to use the Guillotine.
Bugatti is described as being short and portly, though he always dressed well. He frequented the church Santa Maria in Traspontina . He was married but had no children.
He could not leave the Vatican precincts unless on official business. Whenever he crossed the bridge into Rome, it alerted the citizens that an execution was about to take place.
References
Last updated: 10-11-2005 23:47:01
