Museo tecnico navale

About the museum

The origins of the museum go back to the Savoyard navy: as early as Amedeo VII, the Count Red, began a collection of relics of naval feats at Villafranca di Provenza. After the Restoration the collection was moved to the Arsenale of Genoa and, with the completion of the Arsenale of La Spezia in 1869, the Genoese Naval Museum was transferred to the new complex in La Spezia.

In 1905 a collection of underwater weapons and ammunition was established. After the war, Admiral Ugo Conz reorganised the museum and brought the various collections together in the premises of the former Directorate of Naval Construction in via Chiodo, where the museum reopened on 15 June 1924. Soon afterwards, by royal decree, it gained the status of a State institution. The Second World War forced the lighter material to be moved elsewhere, and it was recovered at the end of the war.

The present seat, next to the main gate of the Arsenale, was inaugurated on 12 May 1958. The museum, among the most important of its kind in Italy, holds models, relics, weapons and documents of the pre-unification navies, the Regia Marina and the Marina Militare. The exhibition route is organised in four themes: Origins; Maestranze (the skilled workforce); Men, Feats and Heroes; and Technology and Excellence.

Highlights

• Scale models of sailing ships and units built at the La Spezia Arsenale
• Relics of Navy assault craft, from the Grillo to the “Maiale” (human torpedo)
• Figurehead room on the first floor with 28 wooden figureheads
• Route in four themes: Origins, Workforce, Men, Feats and Heroes, Technology and Excellence
• Site beside the entrance of the military Arsenale

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso permanente del Museo Tecnico Navale – The route is arranged in four themes (Origins, Workforce, Men, Feats and Heroes, Technology and Excellence), with models, relics, weapons and documents of Italian naval history.

Founded

1870

Operated by

Marina Militare

Visitors per year

approx. 36,201

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for Ministry of Defence personnel, schools of the Comune della Spezia with teachers and escorts, ANMI members, members of the museum friends' association, ICOM members, licensed tourist guides and journalists. For reductions and free admission a valid document proving professional activity or entitlement to the concession is required. Part of the takings goes to the Istituto Andrea Doria, which supports orphans and needy families of Navy personnel.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

People with disabilities enter free with a companion. The official website does not describe a barrier-free route.

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.

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