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The Risorgimento

Occupying four large halls, it gathers documents, pictures, heirlooms and arms dating back to the years 1848-’49 and 1859-‘61.

Risorgimento Occupying four large halls, it gathers documents, pictures, heirlooms and arms dating back to the years 1848-’49 and 1859-‘61. Documents range from the coronation of Marie Louise in the duchy of Parma and Piacenza (1816) to 1848. A rich section is that dedicated to the events of ’48 and the result of the referendum with which Piacenza joined the Reign of Sardinia. Decrees, proclamations and original pleas witnessing the events taking place in the period 1859-’60. A whole section is dedicated to the political importance of Giuseppe Manfredi, patriot and ruler from Piacenza. Large relevance is also given to Garibaldi and drafting at the time of Garibaldi, with prints, etchings, litographs and signed letters.

ROOM 1
The first section is dedicated to Marie Louise, become Duchess of Parma and Piacenza in 1815, and to the revolutionary riots that, in 1830-31, led to making Piacenza the Capital of the Duchy.  Most of the room commemorates the events which took place in 1848, when, after the favourable result of the referendum, Piacenza was the first one to be annexed to Piedmont. The exhibits also include newspapers of the time and portraits of some of the most famous patriots of Piacenza.


ROOM 2

The room reconstructs the historical events from 1849 to 1859. Inside it is possible to admire two flags from 1859  and to learn the story of the Italian flag. There is a bust portraying Mazzini, besides several images of the protagonists of the period and the most important events described in this room. On the wall at the entrance of the room there is a foulard which represents some of these people. Moreover, in the boards it is possible to observe a series of litographs about the battles of San Martino, Solferino and Magenta and a medal celebrating the opening of the Italian Parliament . This room is also the location of the memorial stone from piazza  Cavalli, bearing the inscription 10 giugno 1859 (10th June 1859),  when the  Austrian garrisons started to leave the city.


ROOM 3
This section focuses on the military campaign connected to the second war of independence, the Austrian defeat, the annexation to the Duchy of Piedmont, mostly celebrating  Giuseppe Manfredi, who became the governor of the province of Parma after the Austrian escape. Another corpus of documents refers to Mazzini and Garibaldi, who affected and played a fundamental role in the unification process.


ROOM 4

The last room contains a significant collection of military objects from the Risorgimento period, among which sabres, swords, rifles with bayonet and clothes. There are also two remarkable portraits of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first Italian King after unification, and of Cavour, and a statesman from Piedmont who led the Risorgimento.