Museum of the 20th Century and the Shoah

The Museum of the 20th Century and the Shoah It offers you the chance to immerse yourself in the history of the Second World War and the period that followed, through interactive experiences covering topics such as racial persecution, the post-war crisis and the migration of people seeking a better life. It will allow you to travel back in time and relive the tragedies and challenges of the past.

Entrance to the Museum of the Twentieth Century and the Shoah in San Donato Val d’Comino
Photo courtesy of Antonio Cantalupo
Inside the Museum of the Twentieth Century and the Holocaust
Photo courtesy of Roberta Di Stasio
Museum of the 20th Century and the Shoah
Photo courtesy of Roberta Di Stasio

Stories of Jewish internees, soldiers, emigrants, workers and the local population during the Second World War and the post-war reconstruction: tales of suffering, courage, redemption, heroism and solidarity. Portraits of men and women who endured difficult times, but also of noble deeds and acts of bravery.

The Museum of the 20th Century and the Shoah, situated in the former Town Hall of San Donato Val di Comino, is a historic site of great significance. During the tenure of Podestà Marini, between 1943 and 1944, five local authority employees Risking their own lives, they forged the identity documents of Jewish internees in an attempt to save them from deportation to Nazi concentration camps.

The museum It offers an immersive experience to learn about and understand the history of the Holocaust and the 20th century.

The Museum of the Shoah and the Twentieth Century is a project funded by the Lazio Region and the result of an extraordinary collaboration between the Holocaust Museum in Washington, the Ministry of Defence, the University of Cassino, and numerous national and international archives. The museum offers a wide range of information and research on the Shoah and the twentieth century.

The Museum of the Holocaust and the Twentieth Century It offers a wide range of attractions for visitors. It is housed in a 200-square-metre building divided into eight themed pavilions, featuring interactive panels, touchscreen displays, exhibition showcases, virtual reality, projections and holograms.

Photo courtesy of Marino Fardelli
Photo courtesy of Roberta Di Stasio
Photo courtesy of Roberta Di Stasio

A moving journey into the past, through conflict and denied freedom, from the post-war period to the early days of the Republic.

During the visit, you will be able to relive the experience of the Second World War through an evocative interactive tour dedicated to everyday life in the 20th century, in San Donato – a “voluntary internment centre” for Jews – at the Shoah.

The display cases and showcases feature everyday objects belonging to Jews, emigrants, German soldiers, Italians and Allied troops. The projected images and exhibited objects have been selected so as not to cause distress to younger visitors or those who are particularly sensitive.

The Museum of the Holocaust and the Twentieth Century It offers educational programmes for schools at all levels, including projects, learning pathways, training for pupils and teachers, and workshops for different age groups.

During the Second World War, San Donato hosted the largest number of internees in the entire region, one of the highest figures in Italy (26th out of 601 municipalities).

The museum is an ideal place to learn about the history of the Holocaust and the 20th century through engaging and interactive educational experiences.

The exhibition is organised in chronological order: visitors can watch videos and browse through documents, diaries and unpublished writings on a number of displays.

Photo courtesy of Assoguide
Photo courtesy of Assoguide