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The Expedition of the Thousand

From Quarto to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies: Garibaldi's legendary enterprise

The Endeavor that Made Italy

Painting of the rock of Quarto in Genoa, the starting point of the Expedition of the Thousand.
The rock of Quarto dei Mille, the district in Genoa from which Garibaldi departed. Painting housed at the Garibaldian Museum.

The Expedition of the Thousand was one of the most daring and decisive events of the Italian Risorgimento. Led by Giuseppe Garibaldi, a group of about a thousand volunteers set off on the night of May 5-6, 1860, from Quarto, near Genoa, with the goal of overthrowing the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and unifying the nation under the crown of Victor Emmanuel II. An epic adventure, born of extraordinary courage and a deep love for the homeland.

The Headquarters: Villa Spinola

The success of such an ambitious enterprise depended on meticulous and secret planning. The nerve center of this preparation was Villa Spinola in Quarto, the home of patriot Candido Augusto Vecchi. It was here that Garibaldi established his headquarters, meeting his men, defining strategies, and spending the eve of departure. The rooms of the villa, now home to the Garibaldian Museum, were silent witnesses to the moments that forever changed the history of Italy.

The Key Stages of a Heroic Journey

From the landing in Sicily to the triumphant entry into Naples, the journey of the Thousand was a sequence of battles, strategies, and conquests that seemed impossible.

The landing of the Thousand at Marsala
The Landing at Marsala (May 11, 1860): The arrival in Sicily, evading the Bourbon fleet
The Battle of Calatafimi
The Battle of Calatafimi (May 15, 1860): The first, crucial victory that ignited hope
Garibaldi and his men entering Palermo
The Capture of Palermo (May 27-30, 1860): The conquest of the Sicilian capital with the help of the local population
The meeting between Garibaldi and Victor Emmanuel II at Teano
The Meeting at Teano (October 26, 1860): Garibaldi hands over Southern Italy to Victor Emmanuel II, completing the unification

Relive the Atmosphere: Visit the Garibaldian Museum

A Dive into History

Visit the rooms of Villa Spinola where Garibaldi planned the Expedition. Walk where history was written and feel the emotion of those crucial moments.

Authentic Artifacts

The museum houses original uniforms, weapons, letters, and documents belonging to the Thousand. Objects that tell stories of courage and sacrifice.

Plan Your Visit

The museum has free admission and is located at the exact spot where the expedition began. An unmissable opportunity for anyone who wants to understand the roots of our nation. Learn more about the Museum