Saved--the Alfa Giulias and Giuliettas on display at the Alfa Museum!
Story and photos by Roberto Motta
Over the past weekend, the Mayor of Arese, Gianluigi Fornaro told the Italian press that the Alfa Romeo Museum, with all the cars and all the valuable historical archives, cannot be moved from its home of Arese.
Mayor Fornaro said that the Ministry of Culture (in the central government in Rome) has now accepted and officially announced that the Arese architectural structures and the headquarters building will be considered of National and Historic importance.
Please take the time to contribute and keep VeloceToday coming to your inbox every week. It’s easy and safe. Simply click here for details. article about the effort being made by Italian politicians to help save the Alfa Romeo Museum. During a visit to the museum, Milan’s mayor Letizia Moratti assured the audience of her political commitment to involve the Ministry of Cultural Assets, so that the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese is officially considered a national treasure to be protected. In addition, she has committed to include the famous automotive center in the tourist routes of the Expo 2015 in order to protect the heritage preserved in the Museum at Arese. “I think it is right to continue to value the Arese Museum here where it is. It is an extraordinary museum, a patrimony that deserves to be bound by the Cultural Assets.”
Saved, the 159/159 Alfa Grand Prix cars for the museum at Arese.
The recent announcement of the Ministry of Culture means that this act safeguards the Alfa archives from being sent to any other destination, such as Turin. Fiat has so far issued no official statement in regards to this initiative.
Saved, the gorgeous Montreal for posterity.
We would like to remind the reader that the collection is still owned by the Fiat Group, but will not be dismantled or moved from its original location, so it is impossible transfer any parts of the museum in Turin or any other city. This initiative, on the 100 year anniversary of Alfa Romeo, gives a future to the museum, which will become a magnet for the many fans that come to see the cars which made the glorious history of Alfa Romeo.
Saved, this grouping of three historic T33 Alfas.
What fantastic news. This is a superb collection of design icons and to visit is to experience all that Alfa has to offer in terms of history, sporting prowess and design excellence. It is the most evocative of places.
Great news, but how sad that the initiave was required in the first place. The fact that it was necessary, and the shambles that was the celebration of Alfa’s centenary makes it all to clear that Fiat has lost any idea of the jewel it has in the Alfa Romeo brand. Perhaps this will reawaken their interest…?
did fiat have its eyes on the museum? yes a good move to keep it where it is.anyone who’s moved large scale knows not everything is still there at the new site.
When I last visited the Museum in May of 2006, I took a picture of every car on display for fear that I would never be able to see them again. It was clear — at the abandoned complex at Arese, with grass growing through the concrete — that there was not a lot of interest in the remarkable car collection housed in the otherwise vacant buildings. I am so glad that the commitment has now been finally made to preserve this special jewel of Milan’s automotive history.
Mary Ann Dickinson
great news, can’t imagine anyone considerig to destroy this heritage, the real cuore sportivo
I visited the museum in the early 1990s and was thrilled to be able to walk through Alfa history. The B.A.T. cars and the Disco Volante stand out in my memory.
This is truly an Italian national treasure to be kept intact for posterity. This ranks as one of the greatest museums of automobiles in all of Europe. To dismantle it would be beyond words. Now the world can enjoy the sight and sound of these great cars for years to come. Mille Grazie Gianluigi Fornaro and Letizia Moratti for making this come to fruition.
Whaat great news that the complete Alfa Romeo museum has been saved in its present location. But, as has been noted, how utterly tragic that the Fiat group has demonstrated a complete lack of understanding as to the true nature of Alfa Romeo’s historical value to Italy and the world. It defies mortal’s understanding how this jewel can be allowed to fall into even the slightest hint of disrepair.
These are grate news
Now, not only the Alfa Romeo museum will stay as it is
It will be under the Ministry of Cultural Assets, so that the Alfa Romeo Museum gets the most of preservation site
The history of Alfa romeo linked directly to the history of Italy
Well done all alfisties, specially in Italy
When I last visited th museum in 1995/1996 I had the honor of sitting in the pre-war (WWII) grandprix car that never raced as a result of WWII. It was a flat 12 and I was honored. Hope it is still on display and would like to see some photos of it. I am pleased that the museum will last forever in Aresa.
AR Museum in Arese was a favorite when visiting Italy during Giubileo 2000. We took a wrong turn driving a Fiat Punto at the AR facility and found ourselves starring down the barrel of a Beretta machine gun – and a screaming guard trying to explain in broken English that the “Muesio” was a driveway down and a building over. (The situation of waving hands was smoothed over with the Alfa Romeo guard by an exchange of a gift box of American Marlboro Reds – always hand them out like candy when traveling in Italy – and I don’t even smoke)
AR has a very rich racing, aviation, and automotive at history at the AR museum. It is worth the side trip from Milano.
Glad to see it is preserved for future Alfisti!
I can only second Will Grime’s comments (G’day Will!) about the Museum and the 100th Anniversary celebrations. It does appear that the events ‘oragnised’ in Milan had no real budget and not much logistical thought involved, despite the 3000+ Alfisti and their cars that turned up. A fantastic promotional opportunity wasted by Alfa (FIAT?). I can only hope that FIAT does not drive the Alfa badge into the ground and have it go through more dark days like the Lancia marque has…
Note to Scott. The 512 GP car was on static display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It’s not run for a very long time, but still looks interesting! It would make a great contrast to the ‘Silver Arrows’ from Mercedes-Benz and Audi if it ever ran again, but I doubt it will happen unfortunately.
Fantastic news! I was already convinced that fiat will ruin this place…
The museum itself and the collection is more impressive than that of Ferrari or Lamborghini and it truly shows how influential Alfa was during 20th century.
It must be saved for future generations!
This museum deserves great respect in the automotive world. To have spent time with Cav. Luigi Fusi at the museum years ago, will leave a legacy to his efforts to bring as many Alfa’s together in one location. This museum is a national treasure for all to enjoy. The cars there have written their signature on the pages of history along with the legendary drivers, mechanics who were there. All we can hope from here is that there will be a restoration staff to maintain the cars for all to enjoy at events.
I just got back from the museum a few days ago. Apparently, they ask you to call ahead if you plan to visit as there is no one actually running the museum. They may have a problem getting volunteers as it seems to be out in the wilderness, and not actually in the city of Arese. There was a gift shop, but nobody was managing it. I did see three mechanics who were bringing cars in and rolling them out. Like most museums, it seems to be involved in borrowing and loaning out holdings. Don’t plan on finding anything to eat anywhere nearby. I arrived by public transportation, which took forever (well, over an hour) from Milano and involved a ride down every side street in town and a bus transfer. The ride back to Milano was pretty fast. I made a rough estimate of the number of model cars, some fairly large and some quite small. There must be around 2,000 in some ten cases. There are also a lot of motors with their wonderful cast fins on display. Some of these are cut open. You may not want to go when the Pebble Beach and Goodwood events are taking place, as quite a few cars were pulled out for those. I am surprised the museum declined to contribute anything to the annual Alfa Romeo Owners Club event this year in Maryland. There is an interesting display of books about Alfa Romeo, including the one Enzo Ferrari wrote (along with a couple of other authors) on the Alfa Romeos of Vittorio Jano. There is a nice brochure about the museum which a member here in northeastern Ohio picked up, but I did not see any sitting out while I was there. They had all the currently available cars on display. I saw three Alfa Romeos during a week in France, more in Switzerland, and so many in Italy that I only took notice of situations like where two were parked next to each other in the street. The museum is a bit on the dark side, so a camera with a big lens or sensitive receptors would be a plus. There is a sign at the entrance that says “No Photographs” but everyone seemed to be taking pictures, so I wonder if that refers to flash or tripods or professionals. The signs say you are being watched on video, but no alarms sounded and no one yelled at me for taking pictures. Apparently there are movies, but with no one to run them . . . . You gotta love these Italians. The museum is closed from noon to 1:30pm for lunch. The guard at the front gate gave me a chair and newspaper to keep me entertained. The paper was in Italian.
Mary Ann Dickionson PLEASE PUBLISH YOUR PHOTOS OF THE ALFA COLLECTION,,i’m on my way to Italy to see this place..Thank you
David:
At the risk of being banned forever at the Alfa Museum for taking these pictures, I am sharing them with you. Have fun at the Museum. You won’t regret your visit, although I had the same experience as Winston. I highly recommend renting a car to get there, as it is much easier to find the complex that way. When in Italy earlier this year, I rented an Alfa Mito and it was a delightful ride and a fun rental.
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=bb24c97e494d480d&sid=0AZMW7hs4bsmLiQ
What a tragedy will be the closing and dismantle of the Alfa Museum in Arese.
Unfortunately we Italians as we can create marvels of engeneerings we are also very passive when some of our history goes to the dogs.
You just have to go and see the Coliseo in Rome, Pompei in Napoles and I could go on for days on end and see what a sorrow state this sites are.
Just this momet I can recall when the glorious motorcycle brand MVAGUSTA closed shop due to the passing of Count Agusta, everybody starting from his closed family, let everything disappear and all was los forever, if anyone of you knows what MVAgusta gave not only to the Italians but to the whole world to see and hear the magical sound of those engines expecially at the TT Races at the Island Of Man, will know what I am talking about.
As an Italian I feel sick and disgusted, as a lover of motor racing I feel very sad indeed. I hope if same cars are to be sold, the best museum in the world that is Donnington in UK will be able to accomadate.
Lets hope this will not happened. Regards and many thanks for letting me air my vews. Vittorio Orsi
I am confused…they will close the museum but will deny VW from buying Alfa. No, I don’t want Alfa to go German but neither do I want the museum to close.
Hi,
Is the museum still open, we’re travelling to Milan in October and would like to visit?