Abstract

The Club alpino italiano (Cai), founded in Turin in 1863, is a particularly emblematic case in the development of Italian national identity. In this context, mountaineering was aimed from the very beginning at the young generations as an educational activity and was both a symbol of bourgeoisie ethos and a tool to consolidate national identity. The organization of Cai activities specifically addressed to university students developed with the founding of the university branch of the Cai (Sucai) in 1905 in Monza. During the First World War, the Cai actively supported Italy’s part in the War. During fascism, it sided with the regime, and in 1927 it was absorbed into the Italian National Olympic Committee (Coni). Soon after this, it lost its elective offices, its seat was transferred to Rome and fasces were added to its crest. Mountaineering became increasingly associated with military training and the political formation of the young generations. This led first to the dissolution of the Sucai in 1930 and then in 1932 to the absorption of the Fascist University Group (Guf) into the Cai, replacing the Sucai. The regimentation of the Cai culminated in 1939 with the exclusion of its Jewish members. In the post-war years, the Cai was depoliticised but there was criticism of the way the transition was handled, with former supporters of the regime holding onto their positions of power.