Marzabotto is second only to Monte Sole, with the largest number of  Italian Civilian Victims of German Massacres in WWII.

Monte Sole had 1830 victims, Marzabotto had 800 victims, among the 15,000 victims in 700 massacres inflicted by the Germans, from the date Italy joined the Allies, to the end of WWII, less than 2 years.

(AGI) - Rome, Italy, Oct.1 - "Sixty years after that tragic 29th September 1944, the memory of the hundreds of innocents massacred during the Liberation War, is still a painful and deep wound for the Italians".

That's what president Ciampi wrote in a message sent to the Regional Committee for the fallen of Marzabotto, Dante Cruicchi.

"The Mausoleum of the Fallen of Marzabotto testifies our past, and renews the deep patriot feelings in young people".

We must preserve and safeguard these sites of memory, they are a precious heritage, stimulating the awareness of freedom, justicy and equalness".

"These ideals make European democracy stronger now, in its path towards the future, a future of peace and integration between the peoples of the world".

Ciampi's message ends with a "great appreciation" to Cruicchi "for the civil value of the initiative, and best wishes to the organisers and participants of the event". (AGI) -

Agenzia Giornalistica Italia - News In English
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