 In 1925, the "Regia Marina" (Italian Royal Navy) ordered two school ships to a design by General Lieutenant Francesco Rotundi of the Italian Navy Engineering Corps, inspired by the style of large late 18th century 74-gun ships of the line.The first, "Cristoforo Colombo", was put into service in 1928 and was used by the "Regia Marina" until 1943.After World War II, the ship was handed over to the Soviet Union as part of the war reparations demanded by the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty, and was decommissioned in 1959.