One of the most evocative places in the world, almost a city within a city, a verdant and panoramic space that holds a treasure of enormous value created by the genius of the great writer Gabriele D’Annunzio.
Here the poet’s soul lives on in every corner, in every monument, in every piece of furniture that he carefully chose to embellish his home.
The Vittoriale degli Italiani is a monumental complex that was the residence of the poet Gabriele d’Annunzio and today houses a House-Museum, Gardens, an Amphitheater and other Historic buildings.
At the entrance, two monumental arches welcome visitors, leading them through paths that lead to the Prioria, d’Annunzio’s house-museum, and other attractions such as the Nave militare Puglia and the Mausoleo degli Eroi, where the poet is buried. The amphitheater, inspired by classical theaters, offers a panoramic view of the lake and is home to cultural events.
More than a House-Museum
The Vittoriale is a small big world in itself, Gardens, Waterways, Roads, Streets, Squares, Buildings, House, Library, waterways, Amphitheatre: when you arrive at the Vittoriale for the first time you don’t know exactly what to expect. And in fact every corner is a surprise.
Sculptures, Medals of Valor, Relics, thousands of Books, Works of Art of every kind. In short, a house-museum to the nth degree.
In addition to what you would never think of finding, scattered along the path of the entire complex: the SVA plane, the Puglia military ship, the MAS 96 submarine.
On the top of the Vittoriale stands the Mausoleum, an imposing funerary monument where d’Annunzio rests: the grandeur of an “inimitable life” that continues even today.
What to see at the Vittoriale degli Italiani
The Park
Enigma Niche
The Enigma Niche or Aedicule is located on the right side of the avenue that leads to the Priory and houses a contemporary work of art by the master Ugo Riva called Testimone della memoria.
Pilo del Piave Square
The Pilo del Piave, built in imitation of those of warships, supports the Vittoria del Piave, a work by Arrigo Minerbi.
Il Parlaggio, the Theatre outdoors
Fully covered in red Verona marble, as per the poet’s wishes.
Exedra Square
In the center stands the noble coat of arms of the Poet of Prince of Montenevoso, together with the motto “Immotus nec iners” (Still but not inert), the Tempietto delle Memorie, a small shrine that housed the remains of the Commander until 1963.
Garden of Victories
From which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the lake and the Pilo del Piave. The garden hosts a sculpture by Ugo Riva (Tregua), one by the artist Sergio Capellini called Ashanti.
Dalmatian Square
It takes its name from the statue of the Virgin with the sceptre of Dalmatia, placed at the top of the tall pylon.
Auditorium
A space dedicated to conferences and events, in which hangs the two-seater S.V.A. (unique in the world because it was modified specifically for the poet) with which he made the flight over Vienna on 9 August 1918. A raised path allows, also in the Auditorium, to visit the exhibition “Homage to d’Annunzio”, created with permanent and itinerant works by contemporary artists.
Lago del Cigno
MAS 96 anti-subamarine
The Anti-Submarine Motorboat used by the Commander during the famous Buccari Prank, the feat accomplished together with Costanzo Ciano and Luigi Rizzo on the night between 10 and 11 February 1918 by the Italian Navy.
Mausoleum
Located on a hill overlooking the entire Vittoriale park, it can be reached via a labyrinthine path that recalls Dante’s circles.
Regia Nave Puglia
It is possible to climb – literally – aboard the Regia Nave Puglia, also, like the MAS 96, a gift from Admiral Thaon di Revel for the poet’s sixtieth birthday, nestled in the Vittoriale park with its bow facing the Adriatic Sea.
Valletta dell’Acqua Savia
A particularly suggestive natural environment crossed by the stream of the same name that flows downstream into the Laghetto delle Danze. During the walk you can admire some stone niches created just below the Nave Puglia and listen to the slow flow of “sister water”.
Valletta dell’Acqua pazza
An area rich in spontaneous vegetation, waterfalls, ravines and natural tuffs. The stream of Acqua pazza meets, just under the bow of the ship, the twin stream, that of Acqua savia, and together they flow into the Laghetto delle danze.
Lake of Dances
A stone lake where Gabriele and Luisa Baccara organized concerts performed by the Vittoriale Quartet. The architect Gian Carlo Maroni conceived this work perfectly integrated into the natural landscape, outlining and resuming the shape of a violin.
Iron Heads Bridge
Built in white Verona stone, with seat parapets. On the pillars were placed some howitzer shells, a gift from Marshal Armando Diaz.
Villa Mirabella
The Villa (which can be visited during temporary exhibitions) was conceived by d’Annunzio as a guesthouse for guests and artists.
Orchard
Modelled like a Renaissance Garden, it is surrounded by pillars and arches that support large stone eagles and lilies.
The Rose Garden
It hosts over 500 varieties of Roses, including the one hybridized specifically by Rose Barni in honor of the poet d’Annunzio.The roses, divided into flowerbeds and categories, bear ancient and aristocratic names, linked to the work of the most important hybridizers worldwide and chosen in an ideal path that brought the ancient flowerbeds back to life, dedicating them to the countries visited by the Poet, in his travels or through the pages of his works.
Lemon house
In addition to the plants with Buddha’s hands, the sculpture by Paolo Borghi.
Arengo
A sacred and evocative place, for the commemorative ceremonies of his war exploits and of Fiume where rites and rituals were consumed.
Courtyard of the Schiavoni
Place chosen by d’Annunzio to remember the Fiume enterprise and his companions.
Portico or Loggia del Parente
Dedicated to Michelangelo, the “relative” to whom d’Annunzio feels particularly close. Between the arches of the portico the Poet placed columns, plaster casts, fragments of sculptures, a portrait of Dante, holy water stoups, female heads and a monastic washbasin from Asolo, Eleonora Duse’s hometown.
The Priory
Or rather the house of “Frate Gabriel priore”, it is the last home of Gabriele d’Annunzio furnished and decorated following his taste as an “incomparable upholsterer”: “Everything here shows the imprints of my style in the sense that I want to give to my style”.
From a simple Farmhouse Villa, once owned by the German art critic Henry Thode, d’Annunzio created a house museum symbol of his “inimitable living”.
In the rooms of the Prioria are preserved about 10,000 objects and 33,000 books, which are combined with Enigmatic phrases and Mottos, readable on architraves and fireplaces, in a continuous game of symbolic references.
Museums
D’Annunzio Hero Museum, D’Annunzio Secret Museum, The Automobile is Female Museum, Gian Carlo Maroni Santa Fabbrica Museum, Hidden Gulf Museum, On-Board Museum
Via del Vittoriale 12
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