The Florence American War Cemetery

The Florence American War Cemetery is only a few kms from Impruneta so this morning we headed there before it got too hot. In fact, it was already very hot but it was a good place to be just because it was so green and cool looking.

Like all other War Cemeteries in Europe it is beautifully maintained and presents a special place where those who lost their lives fighting for peace can be honoured and remembered. The site covers 70 acres, set in typical Tuscan cypress and umbrella pines, with plantings of plane trees and red oleanders.

The centre avenue leads up to the Spirit of Peace sculpture and the Tablets of the Missing. On the other side of the central avenue is another area of graves equal in size to this lot.

Being an American cemetery it is not something I had a great knowledge of, but the story here is quite tragic. All those remembered here lost their lives between June 1944 and May 1945. That is 5807 men and women who died in this area between Florence and the Apennine Mountains in less than 12 months. There are 4398 burials and 1409 names listed of military who lost their lives but their bodies were not found.

A sculpture of a soldier of the 363rd Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, stands watch over the graves of the fallen.

The Tablets of the Missing are on the north and south atria, looking out over the graves area.

Looking down from the atria towards the flag, the river and entrance.

A mosaic in the Chapel depicts Remembrance. The sculpture on top of the pylon represents the spirit of peace hovering over the fallen, bearing olive branches.

This photo is from the extreme right of the cemetery, opposite to the earlier photos.

In the visitors room near the entrance they have a framed Badge of Military Merit, best known now as a Purple Heart.

The plan was to return home for lunch however when we reached the turn into the steep roller-coaster private road leading to the property there was a car parked across the drive. It appeared that the car had a very flat tyre. Oh well, we will just have to go on to Strada in Chianta and have lunch at the Bar in the Piazza.

After a healthy panino I was yearning for something sweet and sent Kel off to look at their patisserie items. One of the more popular items this year is the rhum baba. As Kel said, 'Thank heavens they only had the small ones.'