The MUSEAL SYSTEM of Iola Montese was founded in 2011 and consists of a series of collections, of approximately 4,000 objects, which are exhibited over 16 rooms with a total area of about 600 sqm. Additionally, there are itineraries through the battlefields where Allied and German soldiers fought during the months between late 1944 and early 1945 on the last line of defence of the Green Line better know as the Gothic Line.

     The museum, recognized MUSEUM OF QUALITY by the Institute of Artistic Heritage Cultural and Natural Heritage of the Emilia Romagna Region, overlooking the square of the village, which is located about 920 meters above sea level, beside to the church built in 1630's. The hospitality is guaranteed by large parking area and nearby restaurants, one of which is reached by a short walk.

 
     The collections MEMOIRS OF ITALY are dedicated, since its establishment in 2003, to the World War II period and consist of five rooms devoted to the armies that fought in the areas adjacent the hill town of Iola between last months of 1944 until the end of war in Italy: Wehrmacht Heer, 232^nd Infantry Division and the 114^th Jager - U.S. 10^th Mountain Division - BEF, Brasilian Expeditionary Force and the Royal Italian Army.

     All items, collected by typology, represent what was available to soldiers on the front line. On display there are uniforms, decorations, badges, weapons, everyday objects, medical first aid and various type of clothing and accessories. The collections, which highlight the technical features and quality of the equipment available until the first line of battle, aim to understand the logistic organization behind the fighters on the various battlefields in accordance with the axiom that wars are won by the army with the men more motivated and the better logistics organization. The museum was officially recognized by the 10^th Mountain Division Descendants who organizes, every three years, the return on the battlefields of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine. The next tour is scheduled on June and will be an important event by resorting the 70^th anniversary of the 5^th Army battle that, in this area, led the breakthrough of the German defenses by 10^th Mountain Division soldiers. The Brazilians soldiers, after the conquest of Monte Castello and Montese, replaced the Americans in the backline. In the rooms devoted to the history of our country there are also books, report cards and school objects of the prewar period.

Are you thinking about donating items to the museum's collections?

The museum has always relied on donations of objects that help us to preserve, reconstruct, explain, illustrate and interpret the experiences and lives of our fathers related to the period which they trod. This is a fundamental and indispensable necessity that allows us to transmit and renew this knowledge to history buffs, younger generation and schoolchildren who visit the museum more and more often.
The offers of donation are evaluated case by case basis in accordance with the guidelines set by the steering committee of the museum.
Please contact us in advance via email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  by describing the object or objects that you want to donate.


Other useful information are:

 What is the history of the object or objects ?

• Where, when and who made it ?
• Who owned it ?
• For what and when is it used ?
• There are stories about this item ?
• What condition is the object in ?
• If possible, a photograph is appreciated that includes a ruler or a pen to give us a sense of proportion.

The information regarding your data will be used only in the management of the donation, however, according to our Privacy Policy


Things to consider before offering to make a donation:

• Discuss and share the donation with all family members.
• Once donated no item can be returned.

What the museum does:

• We collect material divided by collections: Rural Life, World War II, Ancient Memories. The collections and consequently the amount and type of exhibits, subject to the preservation of historic quality, are directly related to the available space. Although a part of these spaces is dedicated to the periodic rotation of objects from our warehouses sometimes it can happen that, after careful consideration of our curators, some offers of donation may be rejected.

• Within the types of collections are also welcome diaries, letters, photographs and films. In these cases donation also includes the consent to the study, publication in specific books and / or on the website of the museum on the understanding the citation of the source.

• Sending objects to the museum, after completion of the donation, is charged to the museum. Whenever possible we prefer to arrange a meeting at the museum where you can personally deliver donated items.

Obviously, subject to your consent, your reference will be added to the list of donors and benefactors of the museum.

What the museum does not :

• Ensure constant exposure and the digitization of all objects.
• Provide valuations for items.
• Accept prohibited items such as live ammunition.

CONTACT:

E-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.