Heraldry and symbols

A glorious heritage of history and tradition, built from the exploits of valiant men who, with passion, generosity, and conviction, have carried the Tricolour and the War Flag of the Air Force all over the world.

The Coat of Arms of the Italian Air Force

The coat of arms of the Italian Air Force, surmounted by the crowned eagle, a symbol of military pilots, contains the insignia of four squadrons that distinguished themselves in World War I for their skill, courage, and heroism. Accompanying the coat of arms is the scroll with the motto “By virtue, to the stars.”– with value towards the stars – which synthesises the courage, skill and sacrifice of all Italian Aviators.

X Squadron Farman

The “winged horse” with a torch depicts the badge of the “X Squadriglia Farman”, formed on 1st April 1913.

Ace Squadron

The “Grifo Rampante” represents the emblem of the “91st Fighter Squadron”, known as the “Squadron of Aces”.

10th Caproni Bomber Squadron

The “Quadrifoglio” reproduces the symbol of the “10th Caproni Bomber Squadron”, employed in daring wartime actions during the Great War.

LA SERENISSIMA

The famous “Lion of St. Mark” was adopted as an emblem by the “87th Aeroplane Squadron”, which was renamed “La Serenissima” in honour of the city of Venice.

The Italian Air Force Flag

The Flag is kept at the Palazzo Aeronautica, within the office of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force – the Constellations Room – and is used on the occasion of solemn military and civilian ceremonies during which it forms an integral part of the formation. Every movement of the Flag, whether exiting or returning to the ranks, is preceded by honours signals (three bugle calls for attention and salute to the Flag) and is accompanied by the notes of the National Anthem.

Tricolour cockade

The use of tricolour cockades on Italian aircraft, with the red/white/green colour arrangement, dates back to the First World War. Between 1917 and 1918, however, the order of the colours was reversed, to green/white/red, probably in order to avoid misidentification between Italian and French aircraft. Almost certainly at the end of the Great War, the original colour arrangement of the cockades was restored at Italian units, though their use was almost entirely abandoned in the early 1920s.

Officially suppressed on 9 July 1936, the tricolour cockade – with white placed between red and green – reappeared on Italian aircraft from the days immediately following the armistice of 8 September 1943.

Military Aeronautics Shrine

The Shrine currently has 204 burial niches for bodies, 198 niches for ossuary caskets, and 2 common ossuaries.

On the occasion of the commemoration of the deceased, a rite is celebrated in suffrage of the fallen of the Air Force. The Episcopal Vicar for the Air Force celebrates dedicated masses in response to requests from family members.

Permits for the burial of bodies, in accordance with current regulations, are granted by the Air Force Chief of Staff.

Opening hours:

Monday to Saturday: 09:00 to 12:30

Every 2^A Sunday of the month: From 09:30 to 11:30

Golden album

Images of the Ossuary

Regulations

Historical Office

The desire to acquire, preserve, and disseminate the vast historical heritage of the Italian Air Force, through the pursuit of its widest possible appreciation and visibility, undoubtedly animates the spirit and commitment of the Italian Air Force Historical Office.

The Office aims to perform the delicate functions of a keen researcher, a diligent chronicler, a rigorous custodian, an attentive observer, and a sagacious analyst, ready to respond to the vast demand for information coming from both a highly knowledgeable audience and those approaching the world of Italian Air Force Military History for the first time.

Entry to the Historical Office is by appointment only.

(Mon. – Fri. / 9:00 – 16:00)
archiviostorico@aeronautica.difesa.it

Museum of History

The Italian Air Force Museum of Aeronautics is one of the largest and most interesting aviation museums in the world. Spread across five large exhibition halls and new areas, the museum houses approximately 80 aircraft and a substantial collection of engines and aeronautical memorabilia of various kinds that chronologically recount the history of military flight in Italy and that of the men who were its protagonists.