Itinerary 4 - Discovering the MOTO GUZZI Myth
Come with us, we are discovering the Moto Guzzi myth. From Piazza Italia, just in front of the pier, you can see a small arcade that leads you to the Archpriest's Church of San Lorenzo. Go straight along Via XXIV Maggio to the intersection with Via Bertola. Turn right and then follow the left curve to Via Diaz.
Shortly after, you can see on your right Villa Confalonieri, a 1913 Art Noveau-style mansion. Just ahead, at number 5, is the wonderful villa that was once the residence of Carlo Guzzi, the co-founder of Moto Guzzi.
Carlo was born in Milan in 1889. In his family he is called Taj, a nickname that will follow him throughout his life. With an intractable character and little inclination to study, Carlo failed to finish the normal school-cycle and his father, in order to guarantee the young man an education, was forced to send him to boarding school.
However, not even the very strict discipline of the institute improved his school performance, and in these years, partly because of his father's sudden death, the family decided to let him abandon his studies: it was necessary to go to work to support the family. The apartment in Milan was put up for sale and the Guzzi family moved to their holiday home on Lake Como, in Mandello del Lario.
Here Carlo began working as an apprentice metalworker, frequenting Giorgio Ripamonti's workshop in his spare time, where he became interested in the first motorcycles. In 1909 he was hired at Isotta Fraschini, where he became familiar with aircraft engines.
During World War I, Carlo Guzzi is appointed motor marshal in the Regia Marina and assigned to the Venice Seaplane Station. Here he forms a deep friendship with the two 260th Squadron pilots Giovanni Ravelli and Giorgio Parodi, both passionate motorcyclists.
The three friends had a common dream and made a pact: once the conflict was over, they would design a revolutionary motorcycle together. Carlo had clear ideas and excellent motoring knowledge, Giorgio Parodi, from a wealthy family, guaranteed the necessary financing, and Giovanni Ravelli, already a famous pilot and aviation hero, would be a test rider and the familiar face of the future Brand.
As fate would have it, Giovanni's young life was cut short by a plane crash; in his honor Carlo and Giorgio chose the Eagle as the company logo.
The Società Anonima Moto Guzzi is finally established on March 15, 1921.
Let's go now to see the historical museum of this glorious Italian brand! From Villa Guzzi it is very simple: cross the provincial road, right in front of you there is a tunnel that passes under the railway line. As soon as you exit the tunnel, on the left, you will see the imposing Guzzi structure.
Entrance to the museum is free.
In the vast display you can admire all the jewels produced here, from the first motorcycle built by Carlo Guzzi in 1919, the only one signed GP (Guzzi-Parodi), to the famous Eight-Cylinder 500 of 1957, born from the genius of Giulio Cesare Carcano - Click here to learn about GC CARCANO.
This is followed by an exhibition area reserved for production motorcycles, with the story of the company's production history, and an area dedicated to racing motorcycles – all vehicles that have written world sports history. Finally, the Sound of Passion room, where historical Moto Guzzi films are shown.
Leaving the Museum, go up via Parodi to the right to reach a small traffic circle. Take via Zucchi to reach, shortly after, the monument dedicated to Carlo Guzzi.
