In the heart of Campania, in Saint Antimo, the April 28, 1876 A man was born who was destined to leave an indelible mark on the history of world industry. One hundred and fifty years after his birth, the city pays homage to Nicholas Romeo, engineer, entrepreneur, senator of the Kingdom and protagonist of the Italian industrial modernization, whose name would become inextricably linked to one of the most prestigious automotive brands on the planet: Alfa Romeo.
The celebrations organized in 2026 represent much more than a historical anniversary. They constitute a cultural and civic project aimed at restoring to new generations the memory of a man who, starting from a small reality of Noon, managed to gain an international dimension thanks to his talent, determination and an extraordinary entrepreneurial vision.
The commitment of the Municipal Administration of Sant'Antimo, led by the mayor, was crucial Massimo Buonanno, which strongly supported a wide-ranging celebratory program. Through the involvement of schools, cultural associations, and institutions, the Municipality transformed the 150th anniversary of Nicola Romeo's birth into an opportunity to reflect on the value of innovation, education, and local identity.
A central role was played by the Committee for the Celebrations of the 150th Anniversary, established by mayoral decree and chaired by Professor Maria Puca. Thanks to his coordination, the memory of the illustrious entrepreneur from Santantonio has been placed at the center of an educational and cultural initiative involving students, teachers, and citizens. The stated goal is to transform Nicola Romeo's story into a positive role model for young people, demonstrating how study, skill, and perseverance can become tools for personal and collective growth.
The contribution of the Campania Region, which hosted the official presentation of the celebrations program at the Regional Council. The press conference was attended by the President of the Regional Council Massimiliano Manfredi, the regional councilor Carlo Ceparano, the mayor Massimo Buonanno, the vice president of the Italian Historic Automobile Club Agnes Di Matteo and the president of the organizing committee, Maria Puca. This participation testifies to the institutional value of a figure who belongs not only to the history of Sant'Antimo, but to the entire Italian cultural and industrial heritage.
Internal courtyard of the house where Engineer Romeo was born in Sant'Antimo, Naples
The event saw the unveiling of two commemorative plaques, in the symbolic places of Nicola Romeo's life, the exhibition of two iconic Alfa Romeo models – one Giulia GTC in red livery, used by the multiple Formula One champion Manuel Fangio, for a Pirelli commercial in 1965 and a Giulietta Sprint in blue livery – the creation of a special postmark in collaboration with Poste Italiane, the unveiling of a commemorative sculpture, and the involvement of schools through dedicated workshops and educational initiatives. The return of the granddaughters to Sant'Antimo was particularly moving. Daniela Maestri Romeo, Elena Dones Romeo and Nicola Romeo, direct descendants of the entrepreneur, who were officially welcomed by the city community, as a sign of memory and family continuity.
Nicola Romeo's story represents one of the most extraordinary tales of social redemption in modern Italy. The son of an elementary school teacher, he grew up in a family deeply committed to the values of education. After completing his technical studies in Naples, he graduated in Engineering from the University of Naples and then furthered his education in Belgium, France, and Germany, exposing himself to the most advanced European industrial technologies of the time.
It was precisely this international openness that shaped his entrepreneurial vision. In the early twentieth century, he founded the company "“Eng. Nicola Romeo & C.”, specializing in the production and import of industrial machinery. Many of the technologies used came from the United States, then at the forefront of the mechanical and railway sectors. Already at this stage, the natural inclination for dialogue between different worlds emerged, a tendency that would characterize the entire professional career of the Campanian engineer.
In 1915 Nicola Romeo acquired control of the ALFA – Anonymous Lombard Automobile Factory. From that moment, one of the most fascinating industrial adventures of the twentieth century began. After the First World War, the brand took the name Alfa Romeo and embarked on a growth path that would transform the company into one of the most prestigious automobile manufacturers in the world.
Under Romeo's leadership, the brand developed a philosophy based on technological innovation, stylistic elegance, and sporting performance. The 1920s saw legendary successes, such as the victory at the Targa Florio of 1923 and the first World Automobile Championship won in 1925 with the famous Alfa Romeo P2. Extraordinary personalities gravitated around the brand such as Vittorio Jano, Tazio Nuvolari and Enzo Ferrari, helping to build a myth destined to transcend European borders.
And it is precisely here that Nicola Romeo's story takes on a particularly significant dimension. Alfa Romeo has, in fact, been one of the most important ambassadors of the Made in Italy in the United States. Since the postwar years, its cars have conquered the American market thanks to the combination of technology, design, and Italian passion. From New York to Los Angeles, from Chicago to Miami, the Biscione has become a symbol of style, elegance, and sportiness, helping to strengthen the cultural and economic bridge that has linked Italy and the United States for over a century.
Nicola Romeo's legacy cannot be measured solely by the success of an automotive brand. It lives on in the vision of an Italy capable of competing globally through knowledge, research, and innovation. It lives on in the belief that even seemingly peripheral territories can create protagonists of global history. Above all, it lives on in the testimony of a man who never forgot his origins and always maintained a strong bond with his homeland, supporting it through philanthropic initiatives and social work.
Today, the 150th anniversary celebrations restore to Sant'Antimo and to Italy as a whole the memory of one of the most significant figures in the country's industrialization. A man who transformed talent into enterprise, enterprise into innovation, and innovation into a symbol recognized worldwide.
One hundred and fifty years after his birth, Nicola Romeo continues to speak to new generations with the power of his example. His story demonstrates that the future is built through knowledge, courage, and the ability to look beyond borders. It is the story of a great Italian who, starting from Sant'Antimo, contributed to writing an important chapter in world industrial history and to building, through the automobile, one of the strongest bridges between Italy and the United States of America.
