As of today, Sommocolonia is officially part of the Liberation Route Europe Vector network, which symbolically connects countries and people across Europe to preserve and enhance the cultural heritage related to World War II.
Outside the Rocca, this morning, Saturday the 27th, the physical and concrete symbol marking the main Liberation sites in Europe was installed: the Floor Vector, designed by the Polish architect Daniel Libeskind for the Liberation Routes in Europe, and acquired by the LRE Italy Association with the financial support of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany through the Italo-German Fund for the Future, as part of the “Liberation Route Europe’s Trails in Italy” project.
Therefore, it is no coincidence that the project “Paths of Memory” will start from the Rocca of Sommocolonia on June 16, presented by Caterina Campani, Mayor of Barga, Raffaella Mariani, President of Liberation Route Italy, and Massimo Turchi, President of the Linea Gotica-Officina della Memoria Association.
The project, conceived by the Linea Gotica-Officina della Memoria Association, aims to make known and enhance some of the key places where the fight to liberate Italy from German occupiers took place during World War II. “Paths of Memory” includes eight itineraries that will take place between June 16 and October 27, covering historical locations in Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Marche, including Barga with Sommocolonia, and then Cireglio, Castel D’Aiano, Trignano di Fanano, Monte Sole, Grizzana, Marzabotto, Monzuno, Gemmano, Monte Catarelto – Castiglione dei Pepoli, and Monte Calderaro.
The Sommocolonia stage, scheduled for June 16, will lead the “memory travelers” through the events of December 26, 1944, when Italian-German troops unleashed the “Wintergewitter” operation, causing the destruction of over 60% of homes and the death of over 100 people, including seven civilians.
During the journey, it will be possible to retrace the story of Lieutenant John Robert Fox, who sacrificed his life to halt the German advance. Participants will listen to testimonies of the events and visit the small museum of Sommocolonia, opened by the Recreational Association of Sommocolonia.
At the end of the route, visitors will be given the “Soldier’s Ration” prepared by AgriChef Francesca Bonagurelli of the agritourism “Il Benefizio”. Following that, there will be a conference and a book presentation on the history of the Gothic Line and the Liberation in Italy.
LIBERATION ROUTE EUROPE (LRE): The Liberation Route Europe (LRE) Foundation is an international network established in 2014, uniting people and organizations dedicated to the protection and promotion of the cultural heritage of World War II. With hundreds of sites and stories in nine European countries, the “Liberation Route Europe” itinerary combines historical content with a multi-narrative approach, blending memory tourism and cultural transmission tools. Liberation Route Italy (LRI), based in Lucca and founded in May 2019, also connects Italy to this international network dedicated to the memory and history of Liberation. The Municipality of Barga formally approved joining Liberation Route Italy during the municipal council meeting on April 23 last. (site is here)
LINEA GOTICA OFFICINA DELLA MEMORIA ASSOCIATION: The Linea Gotica-Officina della Memoria Association, founded in 2010, is composed of scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts of historical themes related to World War II in Italy. The association is dedicated to the recovery, preservation, and promotion of the historical memory of the Gothic Line through educational activities, guided tours, cultural events, and the management of memory trails.
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