Museo Aviotruppe Esercito Italiano
Museum | Pisa | Tuscany | Italy
The "Museo Storico delle Aviotruppe" in Pisa is a significant military museum dedicated to the history of the Italian paratroopers. It is located in the Center for Paratrooper Training and consists of 15 exhibition rooms arranged chronologically, covering an area of over 800 square meters.
History and Development:
The museum was originally founded on October 24, 1971 as the "Sala Ricordi" in the "Vannucci" barracks in Livorno. In 1992, it moved to the "Bagna" barracks in Livorno. Finally, the museum found its current location in the Center for Paratrooper Training in Pisa, the "Centro Addestramento Paracadutismo". Since then, it has significantly expanded its collection and now includes over 3,000 exhibits.
Collection and Exhibitions:
The exhibitions are divided into 15 thematic rooms that shed light on different periods and aspects of the history of the Italian paratroopers:
Gold Medals: This room showcases the 40 gold medals for military bravery awarded to the paratroopers, accompanied by photos and explanations.
The Precursors: Reproductions of drawings, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, illustrating early parachute concepts are displayed here.
The Schools: This section is dedicated to the founding of the first parachute school in 1938 in Tripoli and the second school in 1939 in Tarquinia, which shaped the training of the paratroopers of the "Folgore" Brigade.
El Alamein: This room commemorates the historic battle of El Alamein, in which the "Folgore" Brigade played a crucial role.
Tunisian Campaign: Memories of the fights in Tunisia, including the capture of the Takrouna fortress on April 20, 1943, are presented here.
Nembo: This section covers the formation of the second paratrooper division "Nembo" after the destruction of the "Folgore" Brigade.
Liberation Campaign: This room highlights the activities of the paratroopers during the liberation of Italy in World War II.
Tradate School: The paratrooper training center of the Italian Social Republic in Tradate is presented here.
1st Par. Btg. "Mazzarini": This room reconstructs the formation of the first paratrooper battalion "Mazzarini" in September 1943.
Multimedia Room: This area houses original documents from 1943 to 1945, including diaries and badges of the paratroopers.
1950s-60s Return to Pisa: This room explores the return of the paratroopers to Pisa in the 1950s.
1970s - Aviolancistico Equipment: Various parachute models and reproductions of airplanes from this era are displayed here.
Meloria and 3rd Btg. "Poggio Rusco": This section commemorates the tragic events of 1971 when a British plane carrying paratroopers of the "Folgore" Brigade crashed near Meloria.
Out of Area Operations: This room showcases evidence of the foreign missions of the "Folgore" Brigade from 1982 to the present.
R.A.S. and Antarctica: The last room is dedicated to the sports activities of the paratroopers and their scientific missions, including participation in an ENEA mission in Antarctica.
Significance and Contribution:
The museum plays a central role in preserving and conveying the heritage of the Italian paratroopers. It offers a comprehensive insight into their history, from early beginnings to modern foreign missions. The collection includes uniforms, weapons, badges, personal items, and authentic documents that document the development and experiences of the paratroopers over the decades.
Of particular note is the extensive collection of original documents and personal items gathered through donations from veterans and their families. These contributions allow visitors to experience the history of the paratroopers firsthand and honor the personal stories of the soldiers.
The "Museo Storico delle Aviotruppe" is an essential place for anyone interested in the military history of Italy and looking to gain a deeper understanding of the world of paratroopers.
