Bolzano was a heavy cruiser of the Italian Regia Marina (Royal Navy), commissioned in 1933 as the last and most advanced of Italy’s heavy cruisers. Built by Ansaldo in Genoa, she was laid down on 11 June 1930, launched on 31 August 1932, and completed on 19 August 1933. Designed as a modified version of the Trento class with influences from the Zara class, Bolzano featured a heavier displacement (13,665 long tons full load), a top speed of 36 knots, and a main battery of eight 203 mm (8 in) guns in twin turrets. Despite her elegant design and high speed, her armor protection—only 70 mm on the belt—was considered weak, earning her the nickname "un errore splendidamente riuscito" ("a beautiful error").
She saw action in several key Mediterranean battles during World War II, including Calabria, Taranto, Cape Spartivento, and Cape Matapan. Bolzano was torpedoed twice by British submarines—once in July 1941 (requiring three months of repairs) and again in August 1942, which left her severely damaged and out of commission. After Italy’s surrender in September 1943, German forces occupied La Spezia, where Bolzano was being repaired. To prevent her capture, Italian and British frogmen sank her using Chariot manned torpedoes on 21 June 1944. The wreck was raised in 1949 and scrapped.
Builder: Ansaldo, Genoa
Displacement: 10,890 long tons (normal), 13,665 long tons (full load)
Length: 196.9 m (646 ft)
Speed: 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph)
Armament: 8 \xd7 203 mm guns, 8 \xd7 100 mm guns, 8 \xd7 533 mm torpedo tubes, and anti-aircraft batteries
Fate: Sunk by frogmen, 21 June 1944; scrapped in 1949