The Siege of Gaeta, taking place from 1860 to early 1861, was a decisive confrontation during the Italian unification movement, also known as the Risorgimento. Gaeta, a fortified city in the southern part of Italy, served as the last stronghold of the Bourbon monarchy, specifically the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Giuseppe Garibaldi, a prominent military and political figure in the movement, had been pivotal in the annexation of Sicily and the mainland territories that contributed to the Italian unification initiative. As Garibaldi’s forces advanced, the defenses of Gaeta were fortified by the Bourbon troops, and the siege began in earnest in October 1860.The capitulation of Gaeta on February 13, 1861, marked the end of the Bourbon rule in the southern Italian territories. The siege lasted several months, exhausting both the defenders and the besieging forces. Many civilians were caught in the conflict, suffering dire consequences as food supplies dwindled. The siege's end was critical not only in military terms but also in the symbolic unification of Italy. The loss of Gaeta removed the last significant opposition in the south to the forces promoting a unified Italy, leading to the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy shortly thereafter.The surrender of Gaeta had profound implications for the newly unified Italian state. It signaled the collapse of the old feudal regimes and the establishment of a centralized government. This significant military victory facilitated the consolidation of previously fragmented states into a single nation with shared aspirations, marking a notable transformation in Italian political identity and fostering national pride among its citizens.