On Friday 4 November, on the occasion of the celebrations of the “Day of National Unity and Day of the Armed Forces”, the Navy will open the doors of Palazzo Marina to citizens as part of the “OPEN BARRACKS” activity.
On the anniversary the date on which the process of national unification was completed which, begun in the Risorgimento period, had led to the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy on 17 March 1861. With the Royal decree no.1354 of 23 October 1922, the November 4 was declared a National Holiday.
To honor the sacrifices of the soldiers who died in defense of the Fatherland, on November 4, 1921, the burial of the "Unknown Soldier" took place in the Sacello dell'Altare della Patria in Rome.
Palazzo Marina, a symbol of the Navy which extends for 31.000 square meters, is one of the most significant constructions of the architect Giulio Magni (Velletri 1859 - Rome 1930), grandson of Valadier. The building, designed in 1912 and inaugurated on October 26, 1928, draws on the Roman Liberty repertoire, characterized by a style of "eclectic Michelangelo" with assonances typical of the "baroque". The entrance, which overlooks the Lungotevere, is enriched by the large anchors of two Austrian battleships: the Viribus Unitis, sunk during the First World War, and the Tegetthoff, war prey delivered to Italy in the 1919 and dismantled, in the 1925, in La Spezia.
A palace built for the Marina from which it derives its originality and decorative uniqueness.
The guided tour represents a dip in history. Accessing via the monumental staircase of honor, the route starts from the richly decorated Sala dei Marmi, crosses the historic corridors that overlook the internal courtyard of honor and leads to the prestigious Library, with a book heritage of over 40 thousand volumes including many manuscripts and documents ranging from the 500th to the 700th century. Paintings, photos and ancient seafaring instruments will be the common thread of the path between history and art, tradition, architecture and seafaring iconography in an ideal navigation that touches the history of Italy and the Navy.
On the occasion of the event there will be a promotional stand where it will be possible to get to know the editorial products of the Navy such as the 2017 Calendar, Navy News, Maritime Magazine and the volumes of the Historical Office, together with the staff of the Armed Force who will illustrate the opportunities professional that this offers.
Entrance: Lungotevere delle Navi, 17 from 08.30 to 12.00 of 4 November
