Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Encyclopedia
The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was founded as the senior order of knighthood by the second President of the Italian Republic
, Luigi Einaudi
in 1951. The highest ranking honour of the Republic; it is awarded for "merit acquired by the nation" in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities and for long and conspicuous service in civilian and military careers. The post-nominal letters for the order are OMRI.
The order effectively replaced as national orders the Civil Order of Savoy
(1831), the Order of the Crown of Italy
(1868), the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
(1572) and the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
(1362), which the sovereign, as Grand Master, did not abdicate on the abolition of the monarchy and continues to award in exile as fons honorum. Today, these continue merely as dynastic orders of the former Royal House of Savoy
. Whilst their bestowal is suppressed by law in Italy
, the continued use of those decorations conferred prior to 1951 is permitted, exclusive of any right of precedence in official ceremonies.
and on 27 December, anniversary of the promulgation of the Italian Constitution. However, those awards on Presidential motu proprio
, related to termination of service or granted to foreigners may be made at any time. The badge, modified in 2001, bears the inscription Al Merito della Repubblica encircling the national coat of arms
on the obverse and Patriæ Unitati and Civium Libertati encircling the head of Italia Turrita
on the reverse. The five degrees with corresponding ribbons are as follows (with numbers to June 2011):
The order is bestowed by decree of the President of the Italian Republic
, as head of the orders of knighthood, on the recommendation of the President of the Council of Ministers
. Except in exceptional circumstances, no one can be awarded for the first time a rank higher than Knight. The minimum age requirement is normally 35.
President of the Italian Republic
The President of the Italian Republic is the head of state of Italy and, as such, is intended to represent national unity and guarantee that Italian politics comply with the Constitution. The president's term of office lasts for seven years....
, Luigi Einaudi
Luigi Einaudi
Luigi Einaudi , Cavaliere di Gran Croce decorato di Gran Cordone OMRI was an Italian politician and economist. He served as the second President of the Italian Republic between 1948 and 1955.-Early life:...
in 1951. The highest ranking honour of the Republic; it is awarded for "merit acquired by the nation" in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities and for long and conspicuous service in civilian and military careers. The post-nominal letters for the order are OMRI.
The order effectively replaced as national orders the Civil Order of Savoy
Civil Order of Savoy
The Civil Order of Savoy was founded as an order of knighthood in 1831 by the King of Sardinia, Charles Albert, Duke of Savoy. The intention was to reward those virtues not belonging to the existing Military Order of Savoy, founded by Vittorio Emanuele I in 1815. The order has one degree, that of...
(1831), the Order of the Crown of Italy
Order of the Crown of Italy
The Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861...
(1868), the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus is an order of chivalry awarded by the House of Savoy, the heads of which were formerly Kings of Italy...
(1572) and the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
The Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation is an order of chivalry, or knighthood, originating in mediæval Italy. It eventually was the pinnacle of the honours system in the Kingdom of Italy, which ceased to be a national order when the kingdom became a republic in 1946...
(1362), which the sovereign, as Grand Master, did not abdicate on the abolition of the monarchy and continues to award in exile as fons honorum. Today, these continue merely as dynastic orders of the former Royal House of Savoy
House of Savoy
The House of Savoy was formed in the early 11th century in the historical Savoy region. Through gradual expansion, it grew from ruling a small county in that region to eventually rule the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 until the end of World War II, king of Croatia and King of Armenia...
. Whilst their bestowal is suppressed by law in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, the continued use of those decorations conferred prior to 1951 is permitted, exclusive of any right of precedence in official ceremonies.
Grades
Investiture takes place biannually on 2 June, anniversary of the foundation of the RepublicBirth of the Italian Republic
The Italian constitutional referendum which officially took place on 2 June 1946, is a key event of Italian contemporary history. Until 1946, Italy was a kingdom ruled by the House of Savoy, kings of Italy since the Risorgimento and previously rulers of Savoy...
and on 27 December, anniversary of the promulgation of the Italian Constitution. However, those awards on Presidential motu proprio
Motu proprio
A motu proprio is a document issued by the Pope on his own initiative and personally signed by him....
, related to termination of service or granted to foreigners may be made at any time. The badge, modified in 2001, bears the inscription Al Merito della Repubblica encircling the national coat of arms
Coat of arms of Italy
The emblem of Italy was adopted by the newly formed Italian Republic on 5 May 1948. Although often referred to as a coat of arms , it is technically an emblem as it was not designed to conform to traditional heraldic rules...
on the obverse and Patriæ Unitati and Civium Libertati encircling the head of Italia Turrita
Italia Turrita
Italia Turrita is the national personification or allegory of Italy, characterised by a mural crown typical of Italian civic heraldry of communal origin.. In broader terms, the crown symbolizes its mostly urban history.Italia Turrita is a woman with typical Mediterranean attributes...
on the reverse. The five degrees with corresponding ribbons are as follows (with numbers to June 2011):
| Ribbon (1951-2001) | Ribbon (since 2001) | Class (English) | Full title in Italian | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Knight Grand Cross with Collar | Cavaliere di Gran Croce Decorato di Gran Cordone Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana | ||
 |
1st Class / Knight Grand Cross | Cavaliere di Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana | 8,722 | |
 |
2nd Class / Grand Officer | Grande Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana | 24,006 | |
 |
3rd Class / Commander | Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana | 45,282 | |
 |
4th Class / Officer | Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana | 28,904 | |
 |
5th Class / Knight | Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana | 123,349 | |
The order is bestowed by decree of the President of the Italian Republic
President of the Italian Republic
The President of the Italian Republic is the head of state of Italy and, as such, is intended to represent national unity and guarantee that Italian politics comply with the Constitution. The president's term of office lasts for seven years....
, as head of the orders of knighthood, on the recommendation of the President of the Council of Ministers
Prime minister of Italy
The Prime Minister of Italy is the head of government of the Italian Republic...
. Except in exceptional circumstances, no one can be awarded for the first time a rank higher than Knight. The minimum age requirement is normally 35.