Body of Italian hero Giribaldi to be exhumed

The remains of one of the key figures in the unification of Italy will be exhumed in an attempt to quell doubts regarding his final resting place.

The body of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the 19th century military leader who played a central role in the Italian Risorgimento, is to be exhumed in September.

Descendants of the Italian revolutionary have said they believe Garibaldi’s tomb, on an island near Sardinia, may not contain his body, according to the BBC.

“Doubts have long persisted over the precise location of his remains,” according to The Independent. “Now, after a two-year campaign, some of his descendants have finally received permission from the authorities to open the tomb and conduct DNA testing.”

Authorities approved a request for exhumation after the Italian culture ministry backed a request by Garibaldi’s family for the tomb, on the island of Caprera, off the northern coast of Sardinia, to be opened.

“It may be a way of knowing what’s happened to him and finally arrive at the truth. I think it’s very important,” said Garibaldi’s great-granddaughter, Anita Garibaldi.