Cimitero Militare del Commonwealth

The Commonwealth War Cemetery of Cassino is one of the most important places of remembrance of World War II in Italy. Located at the foot of the historic Abbey of Montecassino, the cemetery houses the graves of thousands of soldiers from the British Commonwealth forces, who fell during the long and bloody Battle of Montecassino (January-May 1944).

The site is managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the body responsible for the maintenance and memory of British military cemeteries and those of allied nations. Each year, the cemetery welcomes visitors, descendants of the fallen, and international authorities who pay tribute to the soldiers who died for freedom.

The Battle of Montecassino was one of the toughest engagements of the Italian Campaign and represented a crucial phase for breaching the Gustav Line, the German defense that blocked the Allied advance towards Rome.

Between January and May 1944, Allied forces attempted multiple times to capture the heights around the Abbey of Montecassino, which represented a strategic point for the German army. Commonwealth troops were involved in some of the most intense battles, fighting under extreme conditions against a well-positioned and heavily armed enemy.

British, Indian, New Zealand, Canadian, and South African units played a key role in the final assault that led, on May 18, 1944, to the capture of the abbey by Polish troops, marking the end of the battle. The cost was extremely high: thousands of soldiers lost their lives, many of whom are now buried in the Commonwealth War Cemetery of Cassino.

The Main Elements of the Cemetery

• The Graves: The cemetery hosts over 4,200 graves of Commonwealth soldiers, each marked by a stone headstone bearing the soldier's name, rank, and regiment. For some of the fallen, their identities remain unknown, and the headstones bear the inscription "Known unto God."
• The Cross of Sacrifice: A large stone cross topped by a bronze sword, a symbol found in all Commonwealth war cemeteries, representing the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers.
• The Memorial of the Battle of Montecassino: A commemorative monument inscribed with dedications to the men who fought and lost their lives in the battle.
• The Book of Remembrance: Kept at the entrance of the cemetery, it contains the names of all the soldiers buried here, allowing visitors to honor their memory.

The atmosphere of the cemetery is solemn and respectful: the well-tended gardens, the orderly rows of white headstones, and the view of the abbey make this place a silent testament to the sacrifice of thousands of young men who came from distant lands to fight in Italy.

Commemorative Ceremonies

• Remembrance Day: Every year, on November 11, a ceremony is held to commemorate the fallen of the Commonwealth.
• Commemoration of the Battle of Montecassino: On May 18, the anniversary of the capture of the abbey, an international ceremony takes place with the participation of authorities and representatives of the countries involved in the battle.