Giovanni Battista Bugatti

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In the shadowy annals of papal history, few figures loom as large and as dark as Giovanni Battista Bugatti, the official executioner of the Papal States who became legendary under the nickname Mastro Titta. Born on 6 March 1779 in Senigallia, this extraordinary man would become the most notorious executioner in Roman history, carrying out an astounding 516 executions over nearly seven decades.

The Making of an Executioner

At the remarkably young age of 17, Giovanni Battista Bugatti began his grim career as the papal executioner in 1796. Unlike typical career paths, his profession was both a calling and a duty to the papal authorities. He served under six different popes, including Pius VI, Pius VII, Leo XII, Pius VIII, Gregory XVI, and Pius IX, witnessing some of the most tumultous periods in Italian history.

Methods of Execution

Bugatti was not just an executioner, but a craftsman of papal justice. His methods were varied and reflected the brutal legal practices of the time:

• Beheading with an axe was his most common method
• He expertly used the guillotine, introduced during the Napoleonic era
• Hanging and throat-cutting were also part of his repertoire
• For particularly heinous crimes, he would use a mallet (mazzola) before cutting the victim’s throat

A Curious Professional Life

Despite his terrifying profession, Bugatti led a surprisingly mundane life. When not performing executions, he worked as an umbrella maker. He was married but had no children. Interestingly, he was bound by strict rules - he was not allowed to cross the Tiber River except for official business, and he received a mere three cents of the Roman Lira for each execution.

The Ritual of Execution

Mastro Titta was known for his peculiar pre-execution rituals. Before each execution, he would:

• Attend Mass and pray for the soul of the condemned
• Offer the condemned a pinch of snuff as a final gesture
• Wear a distinctive red cape that struck fear into the hearts of Romans

Legacy and Cultural Impact

His reputation was so fearsome that parents would warn misbehaving children, “If you don’t behave, Mastro Titta will come for you!” Literary figures like Charles Dickens and Lord Byron wrote about him, immortalizing his dark profession in their works.

Final Years

Bugatti retired in 1864 at the age of 85, receiving a monthly pension of 30 scudi. His last execution was of Domenico Antonio Demartini on 17 August 1861. He passed away on 18 June 1869 in his hometown of Senigallia, leaving behind a complex legacy that blends terror and professional duty.