Museo del Mare di Tortona «Ammiraglio Carlo Mirabello»
Free museum run by volunteers, with around 1,500 maritime finds: an Enigma machine, polar memorabilia, Roman amphorae, shells and antique weapons.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo del Mare di Tortona was founded in 2008 through the will, tenacity and collaboration of the Marinai d’Italia group “Lorenzo Bezzi”, and was officially opened on 10 June 2010 in the presence of civil and military authorities, Navy units and citizens. It is named after Admiral Carlo Mirabello.
Today it extends over about 300 square metres and holds around 1,500 finds. It is run by the volunteers of the association “Amici del Museo del mare di Tortona”. Among the pieces of greatest historical value are the German Enigma cipher machine and the memorabilia of the North Pole expedition of the Duke of the Abruzzi, Luigi Amedeo di Savoia, of 1899–1900, which belonged to the fellow townsman Admiral and doctor Pietro Achille Cavalli Molinelli, with a polar bear in the rooms devoted to the “Stella Polare” (Polar Star).
The collections also include archaeological finds recovered from the seabed, such as Roman amphorae and anchors, a rich collection of shells, corals and marine fauna specimens, antique weapons, navigation lights, ship’s chronometers, sextants, a diver’s helmet, and photographic documentation of life on board the training ship “Caracciolo”, as well as the war diary of a sailor who took part in the first naval engagement against the Germans after 8 September 1943.
Highlights
- German Enigma cipher machine
- Memorabilia of the Duke of the Abruzzi’s polar expedition (Stella Polare)
- Roman amphorae and anchors recovered from the seabed
- Collection of shells, corals and marine fauna
- Ship instruments, navigation lights, diver’s helmet and antique weapons
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Collezione permanente di cultura marinara – Around 1,500 finds: Enigma machine, polar expedition memorabilia, underwater archaeological finds, marine fauna, ship instruments and antique weapons.
- Founded
- 2010
- Operated by
- Associazione Amici del Museo del mare di Tortona
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Adults | free |
|---|
Admission is free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | School classes and large groups can book a visit outside normal opening hours too. |
