A decade of preparation, Garibaldi and the Expedition of the Thousand

Raccolta:

The first decade of the Unification (1849 - 1870)
These are the decisive years for the achievement of the national unification with Rome as its capital.
It is the most spectacular section of the museum, in that it combines large paintings depicting the Wars of Independence, the representation of the democrats and Mazzini’s enterprise.
A wide area is devoted to Garibaldi and the Expedition of the Thousand, with the weapons and the uniforms of the Red Shirts and Carabinieri Genovesi, the experienced shooters who left the ranks of the Thousand from the cliffs of Quarto in May 1860.
An area focusses on the Ligurian soldiers who left from Quarto under Garibaldi’s command on 5 May.

A section is dedicated to temporary exhibitions of letters and documents from the extensive archive of the Istituto Mazziniano. Among these, a large number is related not only to the most emblematic figures of the Risorgimento, but also to others, who might be less known to the public, but just as significant for their contribution to national independence and unification. As counter-evidence of the notion that the Risorgimento was male-dominated movement, here are exhibited many writings by women who fully supported the cause, albeit in different ways. Among others, the eccentric and cosmopolitan princess Cristina di Belgioioso, ardent champion of patriotic ideals and author of modern articles on female empowerment; the Genoese Carlotta Benettini, faithful friend of Mazzini; the Savoyard Rosalia Montmasson, the only woman to participate in the Expedition of the Thousand; and the intrepid British journalist Jessie White, who fought fiercely for the cause of the Italian independence.