On the occasion of the 160th anniversary of the Italian Red Cross, it is important to remember the commitment of the volunteers who brought relief to the wounded, prisoners, and refugees. This commitment is evidenced at the International Museum of the Red Cross in Castiglione delle Stiviere, a place rich in documents about the history of the humanitarian organization founded by Henri Dunant.
Henri Dunant was inspired by the willingness of the population of Castiglione in 1863 to help thousands of wounded in the Battle of Solferino. Struck by the carnage and the effectiveness of the aid, Dunant proposed the creation of a neutral organization to assist the wounded on the battlefield. This idea materialized with the birth of the Red Cross, symbolized by a red cross on a white background.
During the bloody Battle of Solferino, about 9,000 wounded were transported to Castiglione delle Stiviere. Here, without distinction between enemies and allies, the population offered them assistance in churches, houses, and squares. Dunant himself actively participated in the relief efforts together with local volunteers and the parish priest who coordinated the efforts.
Dunant published his diary “A Memory of Solferino,” which shocked Europe and led to the founding of Relief Societies in peacetime to care for the wounded in war. In 1863, the leaders of 16 states gathered in Geneva laid the foundations for international humanitarian law.
The International Museum of the Red Cross preserves important historical testimonies such as the original manuscript “A Memory of Solferino” and other editions in various languages. Inaugurated in 1959 in the Longhi Palace in the presence of French President Charles de Gaulle and Italian President Giovanni Gronchi, the museum offers an exhibition path on two levels.
On the ground floor, there are historical specimens of vintage transportation, such as Red Cross cars from the 1920s and 1930s, wooden stretchers pulled by hand or by donkeys. There are also illustrative panels on the Battle of Solferino, war paintings, first aid kits, and stretchers used during the relief efforts.
The first floor hosts posters dedicated to the fundamental principles of the Red Cross: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Universality, Unity, Independence, and Voluntary Service. Here, there are also relics from the world wars, such as field kitchen utensils and gas masks.
The second floor is dedicated to a photographic exhibition on the contemporary activities of the Red Cross around the world. It also documents the birth of the Italian Volunteer Nurses Corps known as “Crocerossine,” who played a fundamental role both in wartime and in peacetime.
The museum offers educational projects aimed at teachers and students with interactive meetings aimed at civic-humanitarian deepening. Furthermore, a Media Library has been activated to share cultural content related to the history of the humanitarian organization.
For further information on opening hours, the museum can be contacted at:
– Phone: +39 0376 638505
– Email: info@micr.cri.it
Address:
International Museum of the Red Cross
Via Garibaldi, 50 – 46403 Castiglione delle Stiviere (MN), Lombardy – Italy
Italian Version
