In WWII numerous Allied soldiers lost their lives in Italy during the fierce battle against the Nazis. The graves of 4402 fallen American soldiers are located in a beautiful park next to the Greve river just south of Florence. The Florence American Cemetery and Memorial stretches over 70 acres lined by cypress and pine trees and is the final resting place of mainly soldiers of the Fifth Army who died after the capture of Rome in June 1944 and for others who fell during the heavy fighting in the Apennines in 1944-1945.
Overlooking the two hills with the tombs is the memorial building with in front of it a large pillar in memory of the fallen. On the outside of the building are listed the 1409 names of missing soldiers, some were found and identified later, those have a dot in front of their name, but most of them were never found and they rest in unknown graves.
The text above the monument therefore reads as follows:
Here are recorded the names of Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country and who sleep in unknown graves.
A commemoration ceremony held every year on Memorial Day where the fallen are honored with flower wreaths and speeches so that their sacrifices will not be forgotten.
The below video gives a good impression of the cemetery.
Information about opening hours can be found on the official website of the cemetery.
Florence American Cemetery
Via Cassia S.N.
50023 Tavarnuzze
Click on the photos for a larger view.
