The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella on a visit to the Compendio Garibaldino of Caprera.

A special visit on Sunday 12 August, 2018 at the Compendio Garibaldino.

The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella chose to visit the house of the Hero of Two Worlds while on vacation at the Archipelago of La Maddalena. His visit was informal, very pleasing, and strictly private. The President, accompanied by his children, visited the house/museum for the first time. He was assisted by the staff of the Compendio, and was really impressed by the General’s love for nature,  by the passion for his farm, by his organizational techniques, his house management, and by his ideas, decidedly ahead of his time.

The Head of State, after stopping to admire the pine tree planted to honor the birth of his daughter Clelia, visited the kitchen and its relics, and paused for a long time  in the room where Garibaldi died. Later, Sergio Mattarella followed the path that leads to the graves, and for a few minutes,  stood in perfect silence in front of Garibaldi’s resting place. The Head of State was pleasantly surprised by the management of the site, and asked numerous questions about Garibaldi’s life. The President noticed some references about Palermo and his Sicily in a painting of San Giovanni degli eremiti (Saint John of the hermits), particularly on a picture of Garibaldi’s visit in Sicily in 1882, and some photos of a few of his Sicilian followers.

At the end of the visit, Mattarella made a short stop at Garibaldi’s first dwelling, and the wind mill. He thanked everyone for the work, the hospitality, and the commitment shown, especially during the summer period when there is a great tourist turnout on the island. After receiving the greetings from the director of the Polo Museale of Sardinia, Giovanna Damiani, and from the staff of the Compendio, the President was presented with a copy of the catalogue of the House/Museum. His prestigious presence at the Compendio Garibaldino enriched, encouraged, and gave full support to all the initiatives promoted by  the Polo Museale, while implementing his institutional mandate.