La Settimana Enigmistica has an incredible origin story An iconic magazine and a “must-have” in the summer

Among Italians’ favorite pastimes to enjoy under the beach umbrella, one of the most enduring is the crossword puzzles of La Settimana Enigmistica, one of the oldest and most iconic Italian magazines. The first issue hit newsstands on January 23 1932, based on an idea by engineer Giorgio Sisini, who was inspired by an Austrian puzzle magazine, Das Rätsel. The original graphic design also followed that model: the cover featured a crossword in which the black squares formed the face of Mexican actress Lupe Vélez. The initial print run was about six thousand copies, enough to launch an editorial project that was immediately highly appreciated.

After just nineteen issues, the cover changed its layout and took on the form that, with few variations, has remained to this day – characterized by a black-and-white photograph. A design choice that has remained constant was also introduced: the alternation between male and female figures on the cover. Alongside this, two recurring slogans were introduced («The magazine boasting countless imitation attempts!» and «The leading crossword magazine in terms of foundation and distribution»), which alternate between even and odd issues and have become part of the magazine’s identity.

What distinguishes La Settimana Enigmistica

Another distinctive element of La Settimana Enigmistica is its sequential numbering. Unlike many magazines, issue numbers do not reset each year but continue uninterrupted. Over its history, the magazine has experienced only two delays in publication due to conflicts caused by the Second World War, reflecting a rare editorial continuity in the Italian publishing landscape.

The magazine’s headquarters are located in Milan, at Piazza Cinque Giornate 10, inside a building known as Palazzo Vittoria. From its origins, the editorial team has maintained strict confidentiality: it does not grant interviews, does not open its doors to external visitors, and does not disclose sales or revenue data, contributing to the creation of a near-mythical aura around the project – one that has no equal in Italy.

This approach is also reflected in its business management. As early as the 1940s, Sisini chose to make the magazine self-sufficient, directly acquiring the tools needed for production, from printing presses to paper mills and even ink production: a decision that reduced dependence on external suppliers and contributed to the financial stability of the magazine, which has never had to rely on advertising.

La Settimana Enigmistica, today

Over time, a decisive role in the evolution of content and in the reputation of La Settimana Enigmistica was played by Pietro Bartezzaghi, for decades the author of the magazine’s final crossword – considered the most difficult. His name became a sort of trademark, to the point that “Bartezzaghi” entered everyday language as a synonym for a very difficult but solvable challenge. Thanks to him, the magazine’s famous crosswords also opened up to more modern references, including foreign words and elements of current affairs, among other things.

After Bartezzaghi’s death in 1989, his crosswords continued to be published until August 1990 without any official announcement from the magazine. Later, the signature was changed from P. Bartezzaghi to A. Bartezzaghi, his son, who inherited his editorial and creative legacy.

Today La Settimana Enigmistica remains a benchmark and arguably the most successful case in Italian publishing – with circulation figures that (although not officially disclosed) are very likely far higher than those of the country’s leading newspapers. Its continuity, unchanged structure over time, and enduring popularity have cemented its role in the cultural imagination, making it an almost taken-for-granted presence in certain contexts – such as days spent under the beach umbrella.