Genoa's National Museum of Italian Emigration to Open in Historic Commenda

Genoa is establishing the Museo Nazionale dell'Emigrazione Italiana (MEI) in the historic Commenda di San Giovanni di Prè, a 12th-century building built in 1180 by the Knights Hospitaller to shelter pilgrims and travelers. The museum will explore the history of Italian emigration through autobiographies, diaries, letters, photographs, newspapers, songs, and music from various archives and institutions. It will also address contemporary migration to Italy. The project costs €5.3 million, funded by Fondazione San Paolo (€300,000), MIBACT's Grandi Progetti Beni Culturali (€3 million), and the Patto per Genova between the municipality and government (€2 million). Renovation work will take about a year. The museum will feature interactive, personalized paths based on visitor data. Mayor Marco Bucci highlighted Genoa's strategic role in emigration due to its port. The MEI will be located near the Aquarium and the Museo del Mare, completing a top-tier museum district.