Ben

I have looked at the interesting thread on <BR>WWII sites in France, now since I am going to be in Italy soon, how about the same in <BR>Italy? Thank you in advance. Ben

Linda

Try the monastery at Monte Cassino, which was bombed for some weeks by the Allies. They have a very nice war cemetery also.

nancy

Agree with linda. <BR>I was stunned by the views from the Abbezzia! <BR>There are a few cemetaries, the Polish one beening the most photographed. <BR>But, keep in mind,very strict dress code , we saw people being being turned away left and right. <BR>It is a "working" abbey, and if you are lucky to be there when there is a service, stay. <BR>Very spiritual, and I do not count myself a "religious" person. <BR>It is a real must. <BR>But, if you go there when it is cold, and rainy, beware of the road up.

Karen

In June, our group of cousins visited Anzio, where Father/Uncle landed in January 1944. There is a small museum dedicated to memorabilia of the landing (Museo dello sbarco). It is staffed by volunteers, one of whom was a 10-year-old boy at the time and told us about his recollections. They had an interesting collection of old uniforms, arms, etc., much of which had been fished up from the sea or otherwise retrieved along the coast, some donated by veterans. There were also posters and letters of the time intermingled with Hollywood movie posters, old photos, and letters from people who had been there. The volunteers made up a special certificate for the two cousins whose father had been there, a certificate of gratitude given only to veterans of the landing or their children, and we were very moved. We had a good seafood lunch overlooking the harbor at a restaurant called Lo Sbarco di Anzio ("the landing of Anzio"). Since virtually the whole town was destroyed during the landing, it is now a modern-looking bustling port. We also visited the beautiful American cemetary at Nettuno, a few miles away, and another incredibly sobering experience. There is also a British cemetary, and a German one, nearby, but we didn't see those. A most worthwhile day trip from Rome.

latedaytraveler

Ben, Reading suggestion: War in the Val D'Orcia, by Iris Origo which tells the chilling story of survival by the Italians in southern Tuscany as the Allies moved up the peninsula at the end of WWII. Origo, an Anglo-American of privileged birth, had married an Italian aristocrat. Together they build the estate of La Foce in southern Tuscany. The above account tells the story of their experiences during that campaign. La Foce is now a popular agriturismo. It’s a fascinating book for anyone interested the impact of WWII on the general Italian population. Enjoy Italy!

TammyDe

I second the recommendation for this diary by Origo not to mention that the Val D'Orcia is one of the most beautiful areas in Italy!

Tuscanson

I third the recommndation. It's a very moving book about life disrupted by war. Today it's worth a visit. La Foce and Val D'Orcia are some of my favote places in Italy.

alihutch

This lady lives in Italy and I am pretty sure works as a volunteer with veterans groups.....

http://www.kayscott-artist.com/Cassino.html

She's also curating an art exhibition in Cassino library in May, to commemorate New Zealand's involvement in the Battle of Monte Cassino.