Monumento Kresowa - Quota 575

On the heights of Montecassino, the site of one of the most decisive battles of World War II, stands a monument dedicated to the 5th Infantry Division "Kresowa" of the Polish Army. This memorial commemorates the courage and sacrifice of the Polish soldiers who, in May 1944, played a decisive role in the liberation of the Abbey of Montecassino and the breach of the Gustav Line.

Immediately after the conclusion of the battle, in June 1944, the soldiers of the 5th Infantry Division "Kresowa", led by General Nikodem Sulik, erected a cross on Hill 575 using elements from a Bailey bridge. This cross, known as the "Iron Cross", was the first commemorative symbol on the battlefield, erected just two weeks after the end of the fighting. The choice of Hill 575 was not random: in addition to being a strategic point captured on May 19, 1944, it offers a panoramic view of the Abbey of Montecassino and the Liri Valley, making the monument visible from various angles.

The design of the monument was created by engineers Kulikowski and Urbanowicz. At the base of the cross, two travertine slabs were placed with inscriptions in Polish and Latin, which read:

"IN THE NAME OF DIVINE AND HUMAN LAWS FOR YOURS AND OUR FREEDOM, FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF THE TESTAMENT OF OUR ANCESTORS, FOR FULFILLING AN OBLIGATION TOWARDS THOSE WHO ARE STILL ALIVE AND AS A GUIDANCE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, FOR VILNIUS AND LVIV, SYMBOLS OF POLAND’S STRENGTH, THEY FOUGHT – THEY DIED – THEY WON."

These words reflect the deep connection of the soldiers with the cities of Vilnius and Lviv, symbols of Polish culture and history, and their commitment to freedom and justice.

The monument features a tall cross made from metallic materials sourced from wartime structures. At the base, in addition to the commemorative slabs, there were bronze coats of arms representing the White Eagle, the White Knight (Lithuanian Pahonia), and Archangel Michael, symbols of the three nations historically united under the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Unfortunately, over the years, these elements have been stolen, depriving the monument of some of its original components.