Montefiorino is a small town in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, known for its important role during World War II. In 1944, it became the centre of the Republic of Montefiorino: the first attempt, in German-occupied Italy, to permanently control territory and establish democratically elected municipal administrations by the local population. This area was one of the first liberated territories in Nazi-occupied Italy.
The Museum of the Republic of Montefiorino and the Italian Resistance was created to perpetuate and modernise the memory and legacy of the struggle for liberation of the territory. It features a modern exhibit path where the history of the town gets told and visualised through different installations and technologies, ranging from audiovisual pieces to interactive maps and sound installations. Despite its modernity, the request was to remain sensitive to the uniqueness of the venue (a mediaeval fortress) and the historical significance of the site (the free zone of 1944) where the Museum is located.
The audiovisual and architectural project was designed to allow visitors to access information while also showcasing the many historical artefacts of the museum's collection. During the design phase, careful consideration was given to selecting forms, materials, and exhibition methods that would best integrate the museum display with the fortress's surroundings, respecting this remarkable historical site.
The exhibition unfolds across nine thematic rooms that combine direct evocation of the past through artefacts, testimonies, and the use of advanced multimedia technologies. Each room offers visitors a lectern that introduces the historical theme, one or more glass and steel cases displaying original objects, and an interactive installation that provides in-depth information and context, allowing users to continuously (and independently) navigate between local and national history, as well as between past and present.
Museum of the Republic of Montefiorino and the Italian Resistance, 2015
Museum of the Republic of Montefiorino and the Italian Resistance, 2015
Museum of the Republic of Montefiorino and the Italian Resistance, 2015
Museum of the Republic of Montefiorino and the Italian Resistance, 2015