Located on the shores of Lake Bracciano, just a few kilometers from our hotel, the Historical Museum of the Italian Air Force (MUSAM) in Vigna di Valle is one of Italy’s most important institutions dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the nation’s aeronautical heritage. In addition to aircraft and engines that showcase the evolution of aviation in Italy, the museum houses significant collections of photographic equipment, radio apparatus, weapons, and onboard gear.
The site
Inaugurated in 1977, the museum is set within the historic premises of the Vigna di Valle seaplane base (a district of the municipality of Bracciano), the oldest in Italy. At the beginning of the 20th century, on the initiative of Major of Engineering Mario Maurizio Mosir, recognized as the father of Italian aviation, the first experimental aeronautical shipyard for airship construction was established here. In 1908, the first Italian military airship, the N.1, built by engineers Gaetano Arturo Crocco and Ottavio Ricaldoni, took flight at this site. Therefore, even before being a museum, this location is truly the cradle of military aviation in Italy.
The exhibition path
The museum, which spans over 16,000 square meters of exhibition space, is one of the largest aviation museums in Europe. Its exhibition is organized chronologically across five major pavilions, each dedicated to specific periods and themes in the history of aviation.
The pavilions are divided as follows: Hangar Troster, covering the origins of aviation up to the end of World War I; Hangar Velo, showcasing General Umberto Nobile’s polar expeditions, spectacular mass air cruises, and the challenges of the Schneider Trophy; Hangar Badoni, displaying aircraft from World War II and large airplanes; Hangar Skema, illustrating the post-war revival of the Italian Air Force, including contemporary jet aircraft; and Hangar 100, dedicated to the modern era, designed with aesthetics resembling a high-tech hub.
The museum also houses a Documentation Center, named after General Umberto Nobile, which contains his personal library and archives as well as those of other prominent figures in Italian aviation history. In addition, there is Magazzino 22, which displays engines, uniforms, and technological areas such as flight simulators and virtual reality setups, alongside a conference room suitable for congresses, workshops, and presentations.
The most precious pieces
The museum exhibits around 80 aircraft and a substantial collection of engines and various aeronautical memorabilia, narrating the history of military flight in Italy and the men who made it possible.
Its most prized artifact is undoubtedly the Garnerin Balloon, the oldest aeronautical relic in the world. Its story is remarkable: it was commissioned by Colonel André-Jacques Garnerin, a French aeronaut and inventor specializing in hot air balloons and aerostatic balloons, for a special occasion—the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as emperor. However, during the celebrations on December 16, 1804, strong winds carried it away from Paris and it ended up in Lake Bracciano. Local fishermen recovered it and handed it to the Vatican, which later donated it to the Italian Air Force in 1978 by the wish of Pope Paul VI.
Other notable exhibits include a two-seater Bleriot XI, used during the Libyan War; the single-seat biplane Ansaldo SVA-5, which participated in the 1918 raid on Vienna; the Macchi MC 39 Idro, with which Mario De Bernardi won the 1926 Schneider Trophy; the Macchi MC72, holder of the speed record for seaplanes with an average of over 709 km/h; the biplane fighter FIAT CR32, which took part in the Spanish Civil War; and the only complete example of the Caproni-Campini CC2, which in 1938 experimented with the jet engine principle.
Visitor information
The full ticket costs €10, while the reduced ticket (€5) is reserved for children aged 6 to 18 and for first-degree family members of various Armed Forces and State Corps, both active and retired, upon presentation of the required documentation. In certain cases, as indicated by the museum and verified at the ticket office, entry may be free. The museum is not only an exhibition space; it regularly organizes guided tours, cultural events, conferences, and educational activities for students and aviation enthusiasts.
Discover Bracciano While Staying in Its Historic Center
After visiting the Bracciano Civic Museum, relax at the Albergo della Posta, about a 10-minute drive away. Enjoy comfortable rooms, authentic hospitality, and an ideal location to experience Bracciano at a leisurely pace.
Photo © Italian Air Force – Ministry of Defense
