Florence’s 81st WW2 Liberation Anniversary

The sound of Jeeps across the Ponte Vecchio had never been so welcome. They marked the arrival of Allied forces who brought food and supplies to the starving population in August 1944. The Liberation of Florence and the northward ascent into Germany marked the beginning of the end for 20th century Nazi-Fascism. Major commemorations will be taking place through Monday to celebrate the Liberation of the city of the Renaissance. Here is a guide, by day and by neighbourhood to all the memorial events and wreath laying ceremonies.

On Sunday, August 10, the Sala d’Arme of Palazzo Vecchio, hosting continuous screenings from 10 am to 7 pm of ‘Firenze 1944,’ a documentary by the Tuscan Historical Institute of the Resistance, edited by Massimo Becattini and Renzo Martinelli. Roberto Rossellini’s film ‘Paisà’ will also be shown.  Admission is free.

The August 11, 1944, marked the liberation proclamation of the Tuscan Committee of National Liberation, urging citizens to welcome the allied armies. On its 81st anniversary, the day will begin at 7 am with the sound of the bell ‘La Martinella’ announcing the start of celebrations for the Liberation of Florence. This is a homage to the original ‘La Martinella’ bell ringing at  in 1944. At 8 am there will be a wreath and laurel laying ceremony at the Trespiano Cemetery monument to Piero Calamandrei, the soldier, academic and politician. The Gonfalone (the city’s official banner) will be carried with fanfare.  A laurel wreath will be laid at the plaque dedicated by Piero Calamandrei, in memory of the Liberation of Florence, at 9 am Via dei Gondi. Slightly later, at 9.45am, wreaths will be laid at Piazza dell’Unita d’Italia. The final part of the official celebration will take place at the on the steps of Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria at 10.30 am. This event will see official speeches honouring the anniversary of the Liberation of Florence. 

Across Florence many garland wreaths will be laid in places symbolic of the Liberation of Florence. Here is a breakdown by neighbourhood of all the memorial sites and wreath laying sites. 

The Girone War Cemetery (via Aretina 34)  is the final resting place of Commonwealth soldiers who have fallen in wartime, making it Florence’s largest military cemetery. 

In the San Giovanni neighbourhood is Palazzo Vecchio with the plaque to the Fallen in the War of Liberation and plaque on the Via dei Gondi side. Also here are the Via Condotta Plaque of the CTLN and the Palagio di Parte Guelfa Memorial plaque dedicated to women in the Resistance. 

In the Santo Spirito region are the Piazza Torquato Tasso plaque to the fallen and, on Via dei Bardi 14, a Memorial Plaque to Commander Nello Piccoli. Slightly further away, is the plaque in Misericordia Cemetery in Soffiano to the Fallen. 

In San Marco are Piazza d’Azeglio monument to the fallen of Radio Core and the Synagogue memorial plaque to the fallen partisans and deportees

Around Santa Maria Novella is the S. Maria Novella Station memorial plaque to Piero Valenzano on Platforms 2-3 and the memorial stone in memory of those who died in the concentration camps at Fortezza da Basso, Romito side. 

Within the Porta al Prato District 1 area is the Via F. Cavallotti plaque to the fallen, the Porta al Prato- plaque to the fallen and Leopolda Station plaque to the fallen in memory of the Sikh soldiers. 

In the Le Cure neighbourhood are the Via Rrieste memorial plaque to the fallen, Viale dei memorial plaque to the fallen and Ponte al Pino plaque dedicated to the four partisans who died in the war at the corner of Via Pacinotti and Viale dei Mille.

In the hilly Fiesole neighbourhood is the Via Bolognese churchyard plaque to the fallen and the Gaetano Pieraccini Trespiano Cemetery. 

In Gavinana is the Viale Giannotti memorial plaque to the fallen and Piazza Cardinale Elia Dalla Costa monument to the fallen. Nearby, at Bagno a Ripoli, is Pino Cemetery with a plaque commemorating fallen soldiers and the Ponte a Ema monument to the Fallen of the Folgore.

In Coverciano on Via A. d’Orso there is a memorial plaque to the fallen, while Artemio Franchi Municipal Stadium in Campo di Marte hosts Chapel of the Partisans. In nearby Varlungo is the Varlungo Cemetery monument to the fallen. 

Around Novoli, is the Viale Guidoni, corner of Via Forlanini, monument to the Fallen and the Cascine Viale Washington memorial stone to the fallen. In the adjacent Rifredi neighbourhood is the Piazza Dalmazia, monument to the fallen, and the Rifredi Cemetery with the Chapel of the Partisans. In the nearby Castello neighbourhood is the Via della Crocetta plaque to the fallen and Castello Cemetery with the graves of female partisans.

Outside the city centre, in the Galluzzo area, is the Galluzzo Cemetery plaque to the fallen. In Mantignano area is the Ugnano monument to the fallen.

Across Florence there will be many events to celebrate the Liberation and commemorate the fallen. (Mikela Persson Caracciolo)