Museo del tricolore

About the museum

The museum is housed in the Palazzo del Comune (Town Hall) of Reggio Emilia, whose construction began in 1416. In 1774–75 the architect Ludovico Bolognini designed a large hall, first used as an archive and later for important council meetings. In November 1796 the hall was chosen for the Congresso Centumvirale and renamed the Sala Patriottica: here, on 7 January 1797, the Tricolore was born, destined to become a symbol of Italian independence and unity.

The idea of dedicating a museum to the flag is due to the historian Ugo Bellocchi, who in 1966 reconstructed the model of the first Tricolore. A first seat was set up between 1985 and 1987; after the relaunch linked to the 1997 bicentenary, the new display was inaugurated on 7 January 2004 by the President of the Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, and the museum was permanently arranged between 2004 and 2006.

The collection was started by Gaetano Chierici and enriched by Naborre Campanini. The route, spread over two floors next to the Sala del Tricolore, follows the history of the flag from the Napoleonic period (1796–1814) to national unity. In 2017 the museum was reorganised, with a new entrance from the portico of Piazza Casotti, new workshop spaces and a contemporary section with the collection “Novanta artisti per una bandiera” (Ninety Artists for a Flag), donated to the city by the Storchi family.

Highlights

• Sala del Tricolore, where the Italian flag was born in 1797
• Napoleonic room “Bandiera Tricolore”
• Risorgimento room “Italia Tricolore”
• Collection “Novanta artisti per una bandiera”
• Workshop spaces for schools and families

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso permanente sul Tricolore – The route presents the birth of the Italian flag from the Napoleonic period to national unity, with the Napoleonic room, the Risorgimento room and the Sala del Tricolore.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Comune di Reggio Emilia – Musei Civici

Visitors per year

approx. 25,862

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the venues of the Musei Civici. Guided tours are paid and can be booked by calling 0522 456816.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The Musei Civici offer activities for families and young people, such as “Il museo dei ragazzi”, “Vacanze in Museo” and “F@mu”; the museum has workshop spaces.

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.

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