Museum

The Fondazione Museo Storico del Trentino (Trento Historial Museum Foundation), the municipal museum for the city and autonomous region of Trento, presents the history of the region from the end of the 18th century to the present day; this includes significant material on Trento’s experiences in both the First and Second World War, the rise of Italian fascism, local resistance to German and fascist occupation from 1943-45, and postwar violence and reconstruction.

The Museo della Seconde Guerra Mondiale del Fiume Po (Po River Second World War Museum) in Sermide e Felonica presents the wartime history and significance of Felonica and the Po River, an important strategic position during the Allied invasion of northern Italy in 1944 and 1945. The river formed part of the German defensive position, and the region witnessed aerial attacks leading up to the successful Allied crossing of the Po in April 1945; the Felonica region, meanwhile, represented the border between the British and American armies.

The Sale della Resistenza (Halls of the Resiatance) in the Museo Storico di Lecco (Lecco Historical Museum) is one exhibition within the municipal civic and historical museum of Lecco which presents the region’s Second World War experience and local resistance to German and fascist occupation from 1943-45. The exhibition includes documents and letters, photographs, newspapers, posters, and military and civilian physical artifacts from Lecco with an emphasis on presenting the activities of local resistance.

The Museo della Fine della Guerra (End of the War Museum) in Dongo is located in the town near where, on April 27, 1945, Benito Mussolini was halted while attempting to escape Italian territory and was held by local partisans before being executed the following day. The museum is located in Dongo’s Palazzo Manzi, the town hall, where Mussolini and accompanying Italian Social Republic officials were taken and held prior to Mussolini being taken into captivity.

The Museo della Resistenza e del Folklore Valsabbino di Forno d’Ono (Valsabbino Resistance and Folklore Museum in Forno d'Ono) documents the history of local resistance to German and fascist occupation in the Valle Sabbia from 1943 to 1945. Established in 1972, the museum displays weapons, photographs, and documents originating with local partisan groups including the Perlasca Brigade (Brigata Perlasca) initially led by Giacomo Perlasca.

The Museo della Brigata Val di Vara (Val di Vara Brigade Museum) presents the history of the partisan Val di Vara Brigade, which resisted German and fascist occupation in the La Spezia region from 1943 to 1945. Part of the partisan Justice and Liberty Column (Colonna “Giustizia e Libertà”) and organized several different times, the unit was composed of local soldiers and partisan volunteers and ultimately under the command of Daniele “Dany” Bucchioni.