A place for Reflection and Historical Research
Hidden among the hills of the Marche region, the small town of Loro Piceno preserves an important historical collection dedicated to the soldiers who fought in the two World Wars. The Museum of the Two World Wars was established on 25 April 1999 inside the medieval Castello di Brunforte, in the historic center of the town.
Located in the former granaries of the castle, the museum was created to preserve the memory of those who suffered during the conflicts and to encourage reflection on the devastating consequences of war. Over the years the museum has welcomed thousands of visitors including school groups, historians, researchers and travelers interested in the history of the Second World War and the liberation of Italy.
The Collection
The museum contains an important collection of original uniforms, equipment, weapons and wartime photographs from both World Wars. Visitors can see 14 life-size mannequins, including one mounted on horseback, all dressed in original uniforms and equipped with authentic military gear.
- Original uniforms and equipment displayed on historical mannequins.
- Helmets pierced by bullets, powerful reminders of the violence of war.
- Historical photographs documenting the human experience of the two conflicts.
- Original wartime objects including weapons, personal items and military equipment.
The museum also features reconstructions of environments from the First World War made entirely with original material, including an Italian barbed-wire defensive position, an Austrian machine-gun post and a reconstructed Italian trench.
The Polish II Corps Section
One of the most important sections of the museum is dedicated to the Polish II Corps, the formation commanded by General Władysław Anders that played a decisive role in the Italian Campaign during the Second World War, particularly in the Battle of Monte Cassino in May 1944.
On 16 November 2023, a new wing of the museum dedicated to the Polish II Corps was officially inaugurated in the presence of Anna Maria Anders, Ambassador of Poland to Italy and daughter of General Anders.
The section displays seven mannequins wearing original uniforms of the Polish II Corps together with authentic weapons, equipment, insignia and wartime objects. Among the most striking symbols is the emblem of the Polish Corps featuring the famous Warsaw mermaid holding a sword.
The collection was assembled over more than thirty years of research and collecting. Because many Polish soldiers settled abroad after the war, artifacts connected with the Polish II Corps were located in many different countries including the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Canada, Argentina, Australia and Italy.
The passion for this research was also inspired by the stories told by Colonel Antoni Mosiewicz, a veteran of the Polish II Corps who frequently visited Loro Piceno and shared his wartime experiences with the curator.
The Monument to the Forgotten Heroes of the Polish II Corps
On 18 July 2022, a monument dedicated to the “Forgotten Heroes of the Polish II Corps” was inaugurated in Loro Piceno in the presence of Ambassador Anna Maria Anders.
During the ceremony two historic armored vehicles bearing Polish insignia were displayed:
The museum, located in the Marche region, preserves the memory of the Polish soldiers who fought from Monte Cassino to Ancona during the Italian Campaign.
- Bren Carrier Mk I with the insignia of the Carpathian Rifles.
- M3 Half-Track marked with the insignia of the Polish 2nd Armoured Brigade.
The Bren Carrier has a remarkable history: it was originally used by Polish soldiers during the war and was abandoned near Forlì because of a mechanical failure before being recovered years later.
Research and Historical Collaborations
The curator of the museum also collaborated with historian Giuseppe Campana during an important research project promoted by the Marche Region. The project involved the analysis of more than 7,700 wartime photographs preserved in the archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum and the Imperial War Museum in London.
This research contributed to the publication of two historical volumes issued by the Marche Region:
- Ancona 1944 – Images of British and Polish War Photographers (2004)
- The Polish II Corps in the Marche 1944–1946 (2005)
In 2019 the curator was also interviewed by researchers of the Pilecki Institute in Warsaw as part of the international historical project Odyseja Polska, which collects testimonies and memories related to the Polish II Corps in Italy.
Future plans include the publication of a book in Italian, Polish and English dedicated to the uniforms, weapons and equipment of the soldiers of the Polish II Corps.
A Personal Story Behind the Collection
The history of the museum is also connected to the story of the Cimarosa family of Loro Piceno. During the final phase of the Second World War, three Polish soldiers were hosted in the home of Domenico Cimarosa and Assunta Gualdesi.
When the soldiers left the town, they gave the family several objects as a sign of gratitude, including an ammunition crate for a 25-pounder field artillery gun and a military duffel bag used by Polish soldiers serving within the British 8th Army.
These objects have been preserved ever since as a reminder of the bond between the Polish soldiers and the local population during the liberation of Italy.
Curator and Contacts
The Polish II Corps collection has been assembled over more than thirty years of research by Luca Cimarosa, curator of the museum and specialist in the uniforms, weapons and equipment of the Polish II Corps.
Museum Address
Castello di Brunforte
Piazza San Liberato
62020 Loro Piceno (MC) – Italy
Municipality of Loro Piceno
Tel: +39 0733 509112
Curator – Luca Cimarosa
Tel (Home): +39 0733 507424
Mobile: +39 331 1091567
Email
comune@loropiceno.sinp.net
The museum is municipal and can be visited by appointment by contacting the Municipality of Loro Piceno or the curator directly.