Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italian Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana ) was donated by proclamation of the Republic in 1946 by President Luigi Einaudi on March 3, 1951. It is intended as a reward for services to citizens and foreigners that have acquired the nation towards facing in the field of science, literature, the arts, the economy and the performance of public duties and social, philanthropic and humanitarian purposes activities, as well as for long and excellent services in the civil and military career. The President of the Republic may confer the award for reasons of international courtesy.

Order of classes

The Order comprises five classes as well as a special stage, the Collar of:

Order decoration

The religious character that can be given both to the band, as well as on the chain, was in the years 1951-2001 from a white, goldbordierten cross, the center of which was a five-pointed gold star. Golden eagle with outstretched wings filled the angle of the cross. In the center of each cross bar was a small ball. Across the globe in the top bar floated a golden mural crown, which was in turn attached to the belt or in the warp. The ribbon is green with red side stripes. In 2001 the Order new insignia reminiscent of the old Royal Order of the Crown of Italy received: the religious character is now a white enamelled Ruppert cross with green laurel wreaths in his angles with a simple ring as a suspension and with a golden five-pointed star in the center medallion.

Known awardees

Grand Cross with Large chain of orders ( Cavaliere di Gran Croce di Gran Cordone decorato )

This highest honor character represents any class of its own, but a special stage of the Grand Cross, which is awarded almost exclusively to foreign heads of state. The Italian President, she wears as Amtsinsignie. There de facto is the successor to the Annunziaten Order.

See: Grand Cross with Collar of the carrier

Grand Cross ( Cavaliere di Gran Croce )

See: was awarded the Grand Cross

This religious stage was awarded to December 2006 8.362 times.

Grand Officer ( Grande Ufficiale )

See: Grand Officer

This religious stage was awarded to December 2006 4.959 times.

Commander ( Commendatore )

See: Commander

This religious stage was awarded to December 2006 13.939 times.

Officer ( Ufficiale )

See: Officer

This religious stage was awarded to December 2006 21.478 times.

Knight ( Cavaliere )

See: Knights

This religious stage was awarded to December 2011 119.631 times.