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.

OPENING EVENTS
9th May 
4.30 pm – Salone Estense (Rocca Estense)
“Il cavaliere dei cieli. Francesco Baracca e l’aviazione italiana nella Grande Guerra” – Presentation of the new biography of Francesco Baracca, edited by Roberto Allegro
6 pm – Sala Baracca (Rocca Estense)
Inauguration of the exhibition “L’Aquila e la Corona”, featuring historical photographs and documents, curated by Mauro Antonellini, Andrea Albonetti, and Squadriglia del Grifo.
The exhibition will be open until 21st June.

5th and 6th June – Centro sociale “Il Tondo”
5pm and 6.30pm Viaggio in aereo – A show for children and families, inspired by “Il Piccolo Principe”, presented by Ravenna Teatro – Compagnia Drammatico Vegetale, using the language of shadow and puppet theater, in collaboration with the Teatro Rossini of Lugo. Free entry with reservation.

13th June – Francesco Baracca museum
10.30 am – Opening of the museum’s new spaces (special extended hours until 11 pm with free admission). The inauguration will begin in the Sala Baracca of the Rocca, the museum’s original location, and continue in a procession to Francesco Baracca’s birthplace.
3.30 pm Free guided tour
5 pm Inauguration of the exhibition “Due aeropittori futuristi nella Casa Museo Francesco Baracca” with works by Tato and Alessandro Bruschetti.
6 pm – Scrittura Festival with Giorgio Zanchini, in the museum garden. Free entry.

14th June – Francesco Baracca museum
Free entry to the museum (from 10 am to 8 pm)
10 am – I baffi di Francesco (Free drawing workshop for children ages 6–12)
11 am – Concert featuring Federico Emanuele Babini (on the cello that belonged to Baracca) and Giulio Giurato on piano, performing works by Pratella, Bach, Paganini, and Rossini, in the museum garden. Free entry.
4 pm and 5 pm Free guided tour

16th June  – Francesco Baracca museum
8.15 pm – Guided tour
9.30 pm – Concert by Filippo Gorini for the Ravenna Festival

17th June 
6 pm – Presentation of the book “Ritratto di Francesco Baracca” by Maria Luisa Suprani Querzoli – Francesco Baracca museum
9.30 pm – Performance “Sotto di me il vuoto” by and starring Elena Bucci – Baracca Monument (piazza Baracca)

19th June 
11.30 am Ceremony in Piazza Baracca with a flyover by historic aircraft and the Piemonte Reale Cavalry – Baracca Monument (piazza Baracca)
9 pm – Conference “19 giugno 1918, ore 18.40. Com’è morto Francesco Baracca?” – Rocca Estense

20th June – Francesco Baracca Aeroclub (Villa San Martino)
Morning – Exhibition and demonstrations of historic aircraft

4th July – Baracca Museum Garden
6.15 pm – Guided tour
7.30 pm – Cena al museo – Chef Alessandro Miroballo presents a full-course menu (from appetizer to dessert) inspired by the recipes of Countess Paolina Biancoli, mother of Francesco Baracca.
The event is part of the Lugo Music Festival program.

6th July – Baracca Museum Garden
9.00 pm Notturni e cantici – Piano Marathon (Sofia Donato, Daniel Grosch – piano; Elisa Tinti – vocals; Music by Bach, Chopin, Ravel)

26th September –  Biblioteca Trisi 
10 am Inauguration of the exhibition “Quando le ali divennero realtà: il mito del volo nella Belle époque”, curated by Giulia Garuffi and Annarita Tasselli (the exhibition will be open until 21st November)
Lecture “Le ali nel nome. Liala e il mito del volo” by Prof. Bruno Pischedda, professor of Contemporary Italian Literature at Università Statale di Milano

23rd October – Biblioteca Trisi
9 pm Nicholas Ciuferri presents the graphic novel “Angelo D’Arrigo. L’uomo che volava nel vento” (BeccoGiallo 2025), in collaboration with Fumetteria Momomanga

Additional concerts, theater performances, exhibitions, meetings, and celebrations will round out the program.

Full program coming soon online

Useful information

Franscesco Baracca Museum
Address: Via Francesco Baracca, 65, 48022 Lugo RA
Tel: 0545 299105
Email: museobaracca@comune.lugo.ra.it