Ferdinando Martinengo, born in Zagreb, Croatia (1821), showed himself in his youth as a gifted swordsman whose reputation quickly spread throughout Central Europe. He came from an old Italian family whose roots go back to the turn of the 1st and 2nd millennium. In his youth, he entered the service of the Principality of Liechtenstein, from which, however, he withdrew after a short time for health reasons. He was educated in the art of fencing in 1837 in Budapest, being awarded a diploma with the title "Master of Fencing".
In 1838 his title was confirmed at the Military Academy in Wiener Neustadt. The "Paten" was signed by such fencing masters as Master Louis Chappon, professor of fencing from Paris, Master Thallhoffer, professor at the Military Academy in Wiener Neustadt, Master Tonnini, fencing master from Milan and others.
In 1844 he left Vienna and settled in Bratislava, where he was active in the "Bratislava First Hungarian Fencing Society". In the same year he founds the "First Gymnasium and Fencing School" in Bratislava. He establishes a private institute with the consent of the Bratislava City Council. History is silent about his further activities in fencing until 1888, when it mentions him as the honorary president of the "Bratislava Fencing Society".
Ferdinando Martinengo was active in Bratislava in other fields as well. In 1867 he founded the first volunteer fire brigade.
He was involved in the introduction of physical education into school teaching. He himself taught Italian and gymnastics at the Higher Real School of the Royal Free City of Bratislava. He founded the Society for the Support of Poor Students without Distinction of Religion.
His all-round activity was recognised by Emperor Franz Joseph I by awarding him several honours, including the "Golden Cross of Merit" and the "Order of Knights".
He was a wealthy man and a leader with all his soul. He died on February 28, 1895. He is buried in the Ondrej Cemetery in Bratislava.
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Martinengo-Ferdinand-t107517#382688
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