The Institute was established on 11 March 1867, at the time of the reorganization of all Italian military institutions and after national unification. It was called "The Upper School of War" and, in the framework of the reorganization of the General Staff Course, its duty was to expand the culture of those Officers destined for Service with the General Staff. It had to develop in them an organizational and operational mentality so that, through practice, they could enter the higher grades of military hierarchy. On 31 October 1935, the school was named "Upper War Institute" and subsequently, in 1947, "War College". Created in Turin, there is remained until 1942 when, because of the war, it had to be transferred for a short time to Salsomaggiore. After a period of inactivity caused by the war, the Institute re-opened in Civitavecchia on 3 November 1947. It is located at the site of the 82nd Infantry Regiment, known as the "Duca degli Abbrezzi" Caserne. Today this caserne has been named after Capitan Luigi GIORGI (the only Officer in the II World War to be decorated with two gold medals, one for Valor and the other to the memory).