Museo storico dell'Accademia Militare

About the museum

The museum occupies several rooms in the Palazzo Ducale in Modena, the seat of the Military Academy since 1862 (according to museionline). It opened in 1905 to commemorate the Academy's students and officers who fell in war, and reopened after a careful restoration.

The palace was the residence of the Este family after the duchy's capital was moved to Modena in 1598. After the Este were exiled, it passed to the House of Savoy, and in 1860 Victor Emmanuel II gave it to the Military Infantry School. After damage in the two world wars, the palace was returned to the Academy in 1947.

The museum rooms hold relics and memorabilia of soldiers who fell in the Risorgimento, the colonial wars and the two world wars, documents on the Academy's history from 1863 to the present, historical uniforms and a collection of toy soldiers and models. The route includes the Galleria della Memoria, the Sala delle Accademie, the Sala dei Comandanti, the Sala degli Allievi Illustri, the Sala dei Corsi (Camera d'Oro, with portraits of around five hundred officers awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valour) and the Tempio della Gloria, an oval hall with columns dedicated to those who fell in the First World War.

Highlights

• Galleria della Memoria
• Camera d'Oro with portraits of officers awarded the Gold Medal
• Tempio della Gloria, an oval hall with columns
• Historical uniforms, toy soldiers and models
• Two historic tricolour flags

Permanent exhibition

• Sala Museale dell'Accademia Militare – Rooms dedicated to the memory of the fallen and to the history of the Academy, including the Galleria della Memoria, the Camera d'Oro and the Tempio della Gloria.

Founded

1905

Operated by

Accademia Militare di Modena

Admission & discounts

Prices from the 2025 visit guide of visitmodena.it for the guided tour of the Palazzo Ducale, which includes the museum rooms.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The route is not accessible to wheelchair users because of the architectural barriers of the historic palace. Anyone with particular needs should contact the office before booking.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The Palazzo Ducale is on Piazza Roma. The main entrance is on the square, while the meeting point for the tour is the IAT office at Piazza Grande 14.

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