September 26 is World Maritime Day. This international celebration recognizes the importance of the maritime sector. The day also attempts to promote awareness about the issues that the maritime sector faces, such as the need to strike a balance between economic interests and marine environmental protection.
World Maritime Day
The International Maritime Organization of the United Nations established World Maritime Day in 1978. The chosen date is symbolic, as September 26 is the anniversary of the IMO Convention on the Law of the Sea’s entry into force in 1958. Here are several museums in Italy to visit on World Maritime Day that focus on marine life, maritime transport, and the history of Italian navigation.
Galata Museum of the Sea, Genoa
Galata Museum of the Sea in Genoa is the largest naval museum in the Mediterranean. It focuses on the sea and the history of Genoese sailing. Genoa was once one of the four Maritime Republics of Italy. The museum’s permanent exhibition spans five levels, with 30 rooms, 4,300 items, and 50 multimedia stations.
Some chambers showcase topics related to marine trade and navigation during the era of the Marine Republic of Genoa. Additionally, there is a dedicated area for ocean liners and a storm simulator. The collection includes Christopher Columbus’ autographed documents. The complex contains the Galata Open Air Museum, which houses the 1976 Nazario Sauro submarine, the MEM Memory and Migration area, and the Francesco Leoni Photographic Archive.
The Galata Museum of the Sea can be found at Calata Ansaldo de Mari, 1.
Museum of Ancient Ships – Pisa
During World Maritime Day in Italy, you should visit the Museum of Ancient Ships in Pisa, a unique museum. It traces a thousand-year history. The Medici Arsenals, one of the city’s most picturesque locations along the Lungarno, house the eight exhibits. The path recounts the story of the Maritime Republic of Pisa through archaeology and legend, showcasing past technologies and the display of ships and their cargo.
One of the attractions of the Museum of Ancient Ships is the section with archaeological remains of the Roman ships from San Rossore. In 1998, near the San Rossore train station in Pisa, during railway excavations, several wooden objects emerged. These turned out to be extremely well-preserved Roman shipwrecks, with their trade cargo intact.
The Museum of Ancient Ships is located on Lungarno Ranieri Simonelli, 16.
Naval Technical Museum – La Spezia
The Naval Museum in La Spezia, located in the Maritime Military Arsenal near the city’s main attractions, is one of the world’s oldest maritime museums. It preserves relics and artifacts related to navigation, exploration, battles, scientific experiments, inventions, and the city’s close relationship with the sea.
A unique collection of 28 figureheads, mounted on broad wooden beams resembling sailing ships’ prows, is housed in the spectacular Hall of Figureheads. The figureheads are from vessels that participated in the historical events of the Italian Risorgimento. The oldest, Minerva, dates back to 1783. The exhibition showcases expedition leaders and the special unit of the Xª MAS Flotilla. The Marconi Hall displays the world’s most important collection of genuine instruments created by Guglielmo Marconi (1874–1937), the Italian inventor of the wireless telegraph and pioneer of radio communications.
The Naval Technical Museum is located on Viale Giovanni Amendola, 1.
Historical Naval Museum of the Italian Navy – Venice
The Historical Naval Museum of the Italian Navy in Venice is the most significant Italian museum of its kind. 42 rooms on five floors, including the Ships Pavilion, house an exhibition. The collections include artifacts, records, and historical relics from Italy’s and Venice’s maritime histories.
The first levels depict the histories of the Venice Navy and the Italian Navy. Visitors can observe the Bucintoro, the doge’s ancient ceremonial vessel. On the third floor, there are models of typical vessels from the Venetian lagoon and the Eastern world. The “Swedish Room” is located on the fourth floor. The Ships Pavilion is only open for exceptional events. The Historical Naval Museum of the Italian Navy is one of the most fascinating places to see in Venice.
The Historical Naval Museum of the Italian Navy is located in Riva S. Biasio 2148.
Maritime Museum – Cesenatico
The Maritime Museum of Cesenatico houses items that tell the history of old navigation techniques and devices. The display of antique sailors’ boats depicts Cesenatico’s origins and history. It is the only museum in Italy and one of the few in the world to have a floating component, including ten undamaged traditional boats.
The seafaring museum, located in the old Porto Canale and created by Leonardo da Vinci, takes visitors on a unique voyage through traditional Adriatic seafaring. In addition to historical boats, there are relics and testimonials that depict seafaring traditions as well as fishermen’s cultural and historical heritage.
The Maritime Museum is located in Via Carlo Armellini 18.
Museum of Science and Technology – Milan
Also worth seeing during World Maritime Day is Milan’s Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology. It is Italy’s largest technical and scientific museum, as well as one of Europe’s most important. The museum is located in the old monastery of San Vittore al Corpo, near which Leonardo owned land.
The museum has the world’s greatest collection of machine models based on Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings. The collection contains 19,000 artifacts relating to the history of Italian science, technology, and industry from the nineteenth century to the present. Outside, the museum displays the Enrico Toti S506 submarine. The Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology is one of the most attractive museums to see during your trip to Milan.
The Museum of Science and Technology is located at Via San Vittore 21.
MuCa Shipbuilding Museum – Monfalcone
Monfalcone is a city in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region that has one of Italy’s major shipyards. MuCa teaches tourists about the history of shipbuilding and the Fincantieri firm. In fact, Fincantieri was the first factory town in Italy. However, the museum also allows visitors to experience the shipyard’s history through immersive sensory routes and simulators featuring virtual characters.
The museum tour also includes a virtual reproduction of the Panzano workers’ area, which grew around the factory. It was a notable example of a neighborhood developed around the requirements of the workers. Visitors can even participate in the full shipbuilding construction process. Guided tours must be scheduled.
The MuCa Shipbuilding Museum is located on Via del Mercato, 3.
World Maritime Day Museums Gallery
