The history of the Vittoriale degli Italiani dates back to the 1920s, when Gabriele D'Annunzio, an influential poet and writer of the time, decided to build a place where Italian culture and history could be celebrated.

The poet moved to Gardone Riviera in 1921 and, shortly afterwards, purchased the Villa Cargnacco, where he began to devote himself to the creation of the Vittoriale.

The Vittoriale degli Italiani complex encompasses a vast area of 9 hectares, where numerous architectural buildings, museums and gardens are located.

The most important buildings include the Villa Cargnacco, the Vittoriale tower, the library, the mausoleum, the Puglia ship, the open-air theatre and the Fata Morgana. The Vittoriale museum houses a large collection of artwork, weapons, personal items and photographs of Gabriele D'Annunzio.

Highlights include the statue of St. Michael Archangel, sculpted by Francesco Messina, the SVA 10 aeroplane, in which D'Annunzio made his famous flight over Vienna, and a large collection of paintings, including Francesco Paolo Michetti's large canvas 'Venis'.