Vittoriale degli Italiani reopens restored Mausoleum and Auditorium

The Vittoriale degli Italiani, the monumental complex conceived by Gabriele d'Annunzio on Lake Garda, has reopened its Mausoleum and Auditorium after extensive restoration. The Mausoleum, a marble tomb inspired by Etruscan-Roman tumuli, houses d'Annunzio's remains and those of his legionaries. Restoration addressed surface deterioration and introduced a new lighting system by A2A, allowing night visits for the first time. The Auditorium, redesigned by architect Angelo Bucarelli, now features a unified color scheme of deep blues and reds, new materials and technology, and integrates installations by sculptor Ugo Riva—ceramic birds and gold aluminum castings referencing d'Annunzio's 1918 flight over Vienna. The reopening marks a new cultural strategy under foundation president Giordano Bruno Guerri, aiming to blend historical preservation with contemporary programming including exhibitions and performances.