The 4 November, National Unity Day e Armed Forces Day, also this year will bring with it a multitude of initiatives.
The celebrations will open at 9: 00 at the Altare della Patria, with the deposition of the laurel wreath by the president of the republic, in the presence of the highest offices of the State. Following the commemorative ceremonies will be held at the Shrine of King of Puglia and Overseas Shrine of Bari, where the presidents of chamber and senate will deposit the laurel wreath in memory of the fallen.
At 11:00 at the Quirinale palace will be conferred by the president of the republic Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Italy to the flag of arms of the Navy and Naval Forces.
At 12: 15 at the Piazza del Quirinale, the head of state will observe a minute of silence before the work of the fallen "Angels of Heroes" by Flavio Favelli, a monument with a lapidary aspect depicting the names of those killed in peacekeeping missions from the 1950 to today.
The "open barracks" initiative will allow visitors to visit some of the barracks in the area. Adults and children will come into close contact with the world of the Armed Forces. The purpose of the initiative is to overcome the commonplace inherent in the collective imagination, which sees the barracks as an austere place, and difficult to access.
Palazzo Marina Open Day: on the occasion of the celebrations Palazzo Marina opens its doors to the public. The imposing building, built by the architect Giulio Magni in the heart of Rome, and inaugurated in 1928, represents with its thirty-one thousand square meters, the triumph of the neo-baroque architectural style. The main entrance of the building, on the Lungotevere delle Navi, is enriched by two anchors from Viribus Unitis and Tegetthoff, two Austro-Hungarian battleships of the First World War. The Viribus Unitis, attacked by Italian underwater raiders in the port of Pula, was one of the three battleships sunk by our Navy during the Great War.
The two anchors, in their majesty, symbolize the Italian victory over the sea and are the emblem of the bold spirit that has characterized the Navy for centuries.
Thanks to the guided tour, it will be possible to immerse yourself in the historic atmosphere that permeates the building. From the inner courtyard adorned with greenery, the imposing staircase of honor will lead you to the third floor in the heart of the building. You can visit La Hall of Marbles that with its furnishings is a triumph of decorations: the walls are adorned with precious stuccos and the marble table dominates the scene in the center of the room. The visit will continue in the Library, divided into three rooms, with its wooden bookcases, spiral staircases and over 50.000 volumes of naval and military works.
You will admire not only ancient manuscripts dating back to the '500 but also the "globe", datable between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Through the display of iconographies, relics and naval models, you will be able to learn about the faces and stories of sailors who have distinguished themselves for their ingenuity and recklessness and receive information on the naval vehicles they use.
Visits are free and can be made on Wednesday 4 November from 08.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.30. The entrance will take place from the main entrance located in Lungotevere delle Navi, 17.
