Context
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Guardia di Finanza, the exhibition "250 Years of Tradition and Future" was inaugurated at the Sacrario delle Bandiere of the Armed Forces at the Vittoriano in Rome. The event was attended by several authorities, including the Director of the Sacrario, the General Director of the Vittoriano, the Commander General of the Guardia di Finanza, and the Chief of Defense Staff.The exhibition traces the history of the Corps, starting from 1774 with the establishment of the Light Troops Legion of the Kingdom of Sardinia, up to its transformation into a modern economic and financial police force. Visitors will have the opportunity to delve into history through paintings by Vittorio Bustaffa, as well as artifacts and documents from various sources, including the Historical Museum of the Guardia di Finanza and the State Archives. The exhibition will be open to the public until June 25, 2024.
Company
The Guardia di Finanza, established in 1774 as the "Legion of Light Troops," has undergone various historical phases to become a financial and military police force. Over the years, it has faced challenges such as smuggling, defense during world conflicts, and humanitarian assistance in peacetime. Subsequent reforms have redefined its role, confirming its military status and enhancing its economic and financial expertise.In 2010, significant organizational changes further modernized the Corps, and in 2016, it became Italy's sole maritime police force. Recent reforms have adapted the Guardia di Finanza to the new regulatory framework, ensuring effective protection of national and international interests.Internationally, it has participated in assistance and training missions in various countries, demonstrating its global role in safeguarding national interests and fostering international cooperation.
250
Years of the Guardia di Finanza
7
Modular Structures
155
Linear meters of LED
Objective
Architects Fabrizio Berger and Carlo Sordillo designed an immersive pathway aimed at delivering an emotional experience. Visitors are surrounded by sensory stimuli—lights, colors, and content—that guide them on a journey through time. The environment, seemingly composed of luminous volumetric perimeters, was conceived with robust metal structures painted in gunmetal gray, a color choice that evokes the distinctive hues of the Guardia di Finanza and the solidity of its long tradition, accumulated over more than two centuries of operational service.As visitors traverse the path, they walk on wooden platforms treated with artisanal aging techniques. The creaking of the wood evokes atmospheres of times past, stirring the memories of those present. The pathway passes through a time tunnel displaying historical artifacts and paintings, whose colors progressively brighten, following the flow of time. At the end of the tunnel, a bright LED wall projects images representing the various fields of action of the modern Guardia di Finanza, always oriented towards the future.
