Helmet of the Bersaglieri |
Established in 1836, the Bersaglieri are known for being larger than life characters and exceptionally fit. They are outstanding marksmen (and, today, a few women). Originally intended to be a highly mobile unit that could get into and out of places quickly, they even carried folding bicycles as part of their gear during World War I.
World War I Bersaglieri with bicycles |
It was another Pope Pius, the Ninth, who headed the Holy See when the Bersaglieri broke through the wall. The struggle for unification had been waging for about fifty years at that point. Most of the peninsula had been unified as the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, with Victor Emanuel II as the king. A parliament had met that year in Turin, declaring Rome as the capitol of the new kingdom. But because Rome was under papal control, the government couldn’t enter the new capitol.
The pope had been able to retain power in large part because French troops protected Rome. With the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war, however, Napoleon III recalled those troops to France in August 1870, leaving the pope vulnerable.
Hoping to finally capture Rome without bloodshed, King Victor Emanuel sent an envoy to the Holy See on September 10 with a letter offering protection to the pope and outlining political solutions to a variety of sticky issues. The pope was enraged. He scared off the envoy, declaring, “You will never enter Rome.”
Porta Pia with Bersaglieri Monument |
The following morning, the attack began, and after three hours, the Italian troops broke through the wall. The Bersaglieri entered the city and overpowered the papal army. On September 21, all of the papal lands were firmly in Italian hands.
The Via Pia was rechristened Via XX Settembre in honor of the anniversary, and throughout Italy, cities and towns have established their own Via XX Settembre. Today, the Porta Pia houses a museum honoring the Bersaglieri.
The Via Pia was rechristened Via XX Settembre in honor of the anniversary, and throughout Italy, cities and towns have established their own Via XX Settembre. Today, the Porta Pia houses a museum honoring the Bersaglieri.
The Bersaglieri have continued to distinguish themselves since their establishment, in World Wars I and II and later in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet the breach of Porta Pia remains their finest hour. In parades they don’t march, they jog. Even the band, the black feathers on their helmets floating in the breeze.
This is a fascinating slice of history I never knew about, Patricia. I didn't even known about the Bersaglieris' role in any of the ongoing wars, frankly. I'll be looking out for them on the news now. Love that playful video of the band at the end, with the Coliseum in the backdrop.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Supriya. There's another video of the band in a competition that's fun. They do lots of jogging formations while playing their instruments. There is one woman with long blond hair in that band; her hair and feathers swinging in time to the music.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CYOeLEwT0U
Patricia, thank you so much for sharing this fascinating piece of history. I can only imagine how fit the members need to be to jog AND play instruments. Incredible!
ReplyDeleteThe military bands here are quite remarkable. The carabinieri have a band mounted on white horses. They play all kinds of instruments, even drums, while riding in parades.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating piece, Patricia. Do the Bersaglieri also where those plumed helmets in combat do you know? It looks like they do from the WWI picture, but I imagine the feathers would be a problem in camouflage situations today.
ReplyDeleteThe band members must not just be fit but also well coordinated! It's not easy to play an instrument and march in formation, let alone jog.
I understand that now they use these helmets only for public appearances or formal occasions. For combat, some units wear a red fez; others wear a beret, I think blue.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the post.
many people write about this history but you do in a way that I'll remember. thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteDoug
Oh, thank you Doug. That's a real compliment!
ReplyDelete