Celebration of the 159th anniversary of the battle of Solferino and San Martino on 24 June 1859

Events Program:

Friday June 22nd

SAN MARTINO DELLA BATTAGLIA

3.30 pm The big Tower and the Memory of a Nation – Tour (meeting point: ticket office. Booking at: +39 030 9910370)*

SOLFERINO

8 pm Dinner with the History. The France and the French people during the Italian Risorgimento. Convivial dinner on the occasion of the 159° Anniversary of the Battle. Guest of Honour: the french historian Gilles Pécout (booking and info at: +39 0376 854019)

Saturday June 23rd

SOLFERINO

10.30 am – 3.30 pm – 5.30 pm A memory of Solferino RELOADED – Tour (meeting point: ticket office. Booking at: +39 0376 854019)*

6 pm French-Austrian Honour Guard – Ossuary Church

8 pm Departure of the Red Cross torchlight procession, from Solferino to Castiglione delle Stiviere

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SAN MARTINO DELLA BATTAGLIA

Morning: Setting up of the Reenactors Camps

2.30 pm Women and civilian during the Italian Risorgimento – Everyday camp’s life from the women’s point of view

3 pm Military camp surgery: the care of the wounded people, staged in the park near the Tower

3.30 pm The soldiers and the weapons on 1859, Tour (meeting point: ticket office – booking at +39 030 9910370)

4 pm The two Towers and the Fencing: an old connection – Class of Ancient and historical Fencing

4.30 pm Historical Reenactment of the Battle of Solferino and San Martino: A preview

5 pm Tour at the temporary exhibition on World War I (until 6 pm. Meeting point at the main entrance of the Tower).

9.30 pm Symphonic Concert organized by the Municipality of Desenzano

DESENZANO DEL GARDA

6 pm The Italian Risorgimento and the Garda Lake: on the boat from Desenzano to Sirmione with the XIX°Century Imperial Families (Matteotti Square)

MEDOLE

7 pm Holy Mass in Honour of the French soldiers died during the Battle of June 24th 1859, San Vito Chapel

Sunday June 24th

CASTIGLIONE DELLE STIVIERE (GROLE)

8.30 am Commemoration at the War Memorial dedicated to the French soldiers

SOLFERINO

10.00 am INSTITUTIONAL CEREMONY: COMMEMORATION OF THE 159th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE, Historical Center

10.30 am Holy Mass in Honour of the Soldiers died during the Battle of June 24th 1859 – Official Speeches, Ossuary Church

12.00 pm Honor the Fallen (Ossuary Square)

DESENZANO DEL GARDA

11.30 am Entertainment of the Bersaglieri brass-band “Piume del Garda”. Historical Centre

SAN MARTINO DELLA BATTAGLIA *

10 am Military camp surgery: the care of the wounded people, staged in the park near the Tower

10.30 am Historic treasure hunting for children (meeting point: ticket office. Booking at: +39 030/9910370)

11 am Tour at the temporary exhibition on World War I (until 6 pm. Meeting point at the main entrance of the Temporary exhibition, inside the Tower).

2.30 pm Women and civilian during the Italian Risorgimento – Everyday camp’s life from the women’s point of view

3 pm Military camp surgery: the care of the wounded people, staged in the park near the Tower

3 pm Book signing: “The Lorenz rifle-muskets. The last muzzle-loading firearms in Austria” by Bruno Dotto

3.30 pm Places and music from the Italian Risorgimento – Tour (meeting point: ticket office. Booking at: +39 030/9910370)

4.15 pm Cavalry practice

4.30 pm Entertainment of the Bersaglieri brass-band “Piume del Garda”.

5 pm Historical Reenactment of the battle of Solferino and San Martino

6 pm Lowering of the Flag

6.30 pm Holy Mass in Honour of the Soldiers died during the Battle of June 24th 1859 – Ossuary Church

* Events included in the entrance fee of the Museum – During the previous days there will be free Tour at the monumental site of Solferino (booking at: +39 0376 854019) Thursday June 21st at 3.30 pm and Friday June 22nd at 10.30 am and 3.30 pm