THE HEMINGWAY AND THE GREAT WAR MUSEUM: ON ERNEST’S ITALIAN TRAIL

Almost 60 years have gone by since the passing of an author like Ernest Hemingway, and yet many still consider him to be one of the greatest writers of all time, not of the United States alone, but of the entire world. Younger generations of readers are still enthralled by Hemingway, for his celebrated writings as well as for his turbulent existence. The writer’s enthusiasts may be surprised to find out that, in order to learn more about his eventful biography, a visit to a small town in northern Italy could be of help. More specifically, to Bassano del Grappa, a town in the province of Vicenza in the Veneto region.

Here, just north of the famous wooden bridge by architect Palladio, on the east bank of the Brenta river, stands Villa Ca’ Erizzo Luca. Not everyone knows that this elegant building, dating back to the fifteenth century, was the seat of Section 1 of the American Red Cross ambulance units. This territory was in fact a “hot zone” during World War I: efforts were made here in resistance to the Austro-hungarian attempts to break into the Venetian plain and overwhelm the Italian army.

Having been left out of the fighting wards due to problems with his eyesight, but eager to make his contribution on the war front, Hemingway was comissioned as an American Red Cross driver of the ambulance services for the Italian front. The Hemingway and The Great War Museum, housed within the walls of Villa Ca’ Erizzo Luca, narrates the experience of the American writer, and of the companions that carried out that difficult task with him. Through images, photographs and texts on display, the museum recounts some of the events of the conflict and provides an important contribution on the United States’ participation in World War I. In the entrance hall, visitors are welcomed with information about the novels inspired by the Great War: “A Farewell to arms” and “Across the River and into the Trees”. An extensive photographic archive and documentation are held within these walls; including magazines of the time and various editions of a number of editorial works of his, both in Italian and in foreign languages.

A precious collection that wishes to enhance Hemingway’s prestigious presence in Italy, a presence that possesses even greater value because those were among the times of greatest difficulty for the country. For further information: www.museohemingway.it