A Hundred Years of the Francesco Baracca Museum
The centenary of the museum dedicated to Francesco Baracca in Lugo, in the province of Ravenna, is being marked by a programme of events running from May until winter 2026, celebrating and promoting his legacy. Through cultural events, meetings and collaborations with local schools and organisations, the celebrations pay tribute to the Italian flying ace and the historical heritage preserved by the museum.
At the heart of the commemorations will be the reopening of the renovated museum on the 13th of June and the days that follow, leading up to the anniversary of Baracca’s death on the 19th of June, a symbolic moment for the whole community.
An invitation to rediscover history, identity and tradition: a journey through time that unites past and present.
PROGRAMME
26 September to 21 November – Trisi Library
Exhibition: ‘When Wings Became Reality: The Myth of Flight in the Belle Époque’, curated by Giulia Garuffi and Annarita Tasselli. The exhibition explores the imagery associated with flight and aviation during the period when Francesco Baracca was coming of age.
Opening: 26 September at 10.00 am with a lecture entitled “Wings in the Name: Liala and the Myth of Flight” by Prof. Bruno Pischedda, lecturer in Contemporary Italian Literature at the University of Milan
From 26 September to 11 October – Baracca Hall
Exhibition: “Horsepower: A Motorbike, a Coat and a Overalls”
An exhibition that brings together the worlds of aviation and motoring through historical photographs and memorabilia, including a vintage Peugeot motorbike, a mechanic’s overalls and helmet, a coat that belonged to Enzo Ferrari, and a historical cavalry uniform worn by Francesco Baracca.
10–25 October – Pescherie della Rocca
Exhibition: “Fantastico Baracca – The Aviator and Other Superheroes from the World of Comics” Curated by Vintage Festival, Fumetteria Monomanga and Biblioteca Trisi. On display are original artwork by comic artists and illustrators inspired by Francesco Baracca and Domenico Rambelli’s monument.
17 October at 10.30 am – Sala Codazzi – Trisi Library
Presentation of the book “Un cavaliere del cielo”
Alessandra Povia Vladimiro presents the book dedicated to her grandfather Filippo Vladimiro, a First World War aviator and comrade-in-arms of Francesco Baracca
(date to be confirmed)
Salone Estense, La Rocca
Conference: “From Wunderkammern to the museum of the future. The persistence of a magical aura in objects, between memory and new technologies”
Organised in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Department of the Emilia-Romagna Region, the conference explores the prospects for the contemporary museum, drawing on the experiences of the new Francesco Baracca Museum and the Museum of the City of Lugo.
Friday 23 October at 9.00 pm – Sala Codazzi – Trisi Library
Presentation of the graphic novel “Angelo D’Arrigo. The Man Who Flew in the Wind”
Nicholas Ciuferri presents the book published by BeccoGiallo (2025), dedicated to the life of free-flight champion and populariser Angelo D’Arrigo. In collaboration with Fumetteria Monomanga.
6 November – Salone Estense della Rocca
Lecture by Angelo Nataloni
Organised by the association La Squadriglia del Grifo (Time to be confirmed)
8 November to 6 January 2027 – Pescherie della Rocca
Exhibition: ‘The Little Horse, Death and the Devil’
The exhibition, organised to mark the centenary of the Francesco Baracca Museum, is dedicated to the insignia of Italian pilots from the First World War.
28 November – Salone Estense della Rocca
Conference on the Italian Air Force and Fascism: the story of its origins, a long and complicated relationship, and a network of exhibitions and museums – some never realised, others still in existence
Organised by Gregory Alegi and Daniele Serafini, in collaboration with the Italian Air Force and the Network of Aeronautical Museums.
Additional concerts, theater performances, exhibitions, meetings, and celebrations will round out the program.
Useful information
Franscesco Baracca Museum
Address: Via Francesco Baracca, 65, 48022 Lugo RA
Tel: 0545 299105
Email: museobaracca@comune.lugo.ra.it
