 icunme's Rome Travelogues | | | |
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| Page Views: 2,351 Last Visit to Rome: March, 2006 I Visit Here Frequently | Vittorio Emanuele Monument and Museum by icunme - last update: Sep 6, 2006 |
Memories of World War I (then...... World War II) | World War I painting in Vittorio Emanuele Museum |
The monument itself is a sight to behold - any time of day, evening or night.
Venturing inside that monument's museum is another tremendous experience. The first thing I saw on display in the lobby was a new red Ferrari - incredible. Then, going up the stairs to the right, you see post office boxes from years past. I have to laugh, with a mind's eye view of my nonno instructing me as we mailed letters to Verona from America - "open the mailbox door - shout loudly down to the inside 'ITS GOING TO VERONA' or it won't get there." I think I was about 10 before I stopped shouting into mailboxes.
Then, you come to costumes and other various art objects - some modern and a host of mixed media - newsprint accounts of momentous events, photos, video footage, computerized research - all with clips from a riotous Roberto Begnini film bombarding your senses from the upper right wall.
Mount the stairs ahead and you come to the serious part of the museum - dedicated to World War I and historic conflicts that precipatated Italy's unification.
If you are Italian-American, as I am, it is a heart rending experience and, even more so if you are of an age to remember the ensuing World War II. The many Italians who were drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to fight their own people in Italy have a story that has never been told in its entirety. My uncle, Gino, was one of those men. Snippets of conversations led me to understand when I was very young that he had to fight his own people. He returned to America a hero with a subtle cloud of resentment hanging overhead in his native Italy and new homeland as well. His first cousin from Verona who fought for Italy against the Allies left Italy for Argentina after the war -- we presumed he was a Facisist and I never heard his name mentioned again. |
| Monument Vittorio Emanuele |
|  | Vittorio Emanuele Monument Inside is as impressive as the outside. |
| Unification history and attributes |
| | Entrance to the top floor Museum rooms |
| | Canon and bell just inside the unification room |
| | Unknown Soldier Plaque near the canon You will be able to read this if you click it to zoom. |
| Busts of notable figures and artifacts |
| | Hall of Busts and conflict memorabilia |
| Angels of Vittorio Emanuele in sun and clouds |
| | Angels of Vittorio Emanuele in sun and storm stand staunch - much like the people of Italy |
| | An espresso and bring me back to the here and now. Ah, of course, a Caffe on the terrace of Vittorio Emanuele - God is good......... |
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 Comments for icunme about Rome | | | | |
Roadquill Wed Nov 11, 2009 03:16 UTC
Hi Carol, thanks for letting me know you enjoyed my Rome page. I will be using some of your tips next time in Roma, but not the "accomodations".. ;-) Ciao, Karl | RoscoeGregg Sun Nov 8, 2009 16:29 UTC
As a man that lives by his relationship with with plants I love parks. Thanks for thr tip Happy trails | royalempress Sun Nov 8, 2009 02:25 UTC
LOL "speaking english is what kills you" I love it. Great opening pages. I'm going to explore the rest right now!!! Mike | Pawtuxet Thu Nov 5, 2009 15:12 UTC
cute jokes. I forwarded one to my husband. |
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