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The Italian Air Force's museum (Museo Storico dell' Aeronautica Militare Italiana) at Vigna di Valle is situated north of Rome on the shores of Lake Bracciano. With typical clear blue skies, gently lapping water crystal clear water, just feet from the historic hangars, this old airship and seaplane airbase must surely be one of World's most attractive locations for an aircraft museum. It's a collection of the finest aircraft Italy has to offer. Italy is a proud nation with an impressive aircraft design and manufacturing pedigree. The collection follows Italian aviation history from a Blériot XI, which used in the war in between Italy and Turkey in 1912, to a Tornado. The museum always seems to have a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, making it a pleasure to visit, and yet in 2008 they recorded 68,000 visitors.
It was back in 1913 when Italy's first aeronautical museum was founded, at the Castel San Angelo in the centre of Rome. From 1933 the collection moved to other locations within Rome, but following the Second World War, all the exhibits were lost. From the 1950's ideas for a new aeronautical museum began to develop. Finally in 1961 a museum in Turin was founded. Unfortunately by 1974, the costs of running a large museum in Turin became prohibitive. As the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana - AMI) had buildings available at Vigna di Valle, the search for a cost effective solution was over. This site, situated on the shores of Lake Bracciano, and just 25 km north of Rome, has an aeronautical history dating back to 1907. Italy's first airships and later its seaplanes were test flown from here. On May 24, 1977 the Italian Air Force Museum, was opened by the Head of State at Vigna di Valle. The museum was open with two hangars or halls with a new connecting hall.
It was back in 1913 when Italy's first aeronautical museum was founded, at the Castel San Angelo in the centre of Rome. From 1933 the collection moved to other locations within Rome, but following the Second World War, all the exhibits were lost. From the 1950's ideas for a new aeronautical museum began to develop. Finally in 1961 a museum in Turin was founded. Unfortunately by 1974, the costs of running a large museum in Turin became prohibitive. As the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana - AMI) had buildings available at Vigna di Valle, the search for a cost effective solution was over. This site, situated on the shores of Lake Bracciano, and just 25 km north of Rome, has an aeronautical history dating back to 1907. Italy's first airships and later its seaplanes were test flown from here. On May 24, 1977 the Italian Air Force Museum, was opened by the Head of State at Vigna di Valle. The museum was open with two hangars or halls with a new connecting hall.
