in detail
On 12 August 1944, 560 civilians - mainly women, old people and children - were shot in Sant'Anna di Stazzema, their houses burnt down and the village destroyed.
The community of Stazzema as well as the Italian state have taken various measures to commemorate the victims of the massacre since the end of the War. A memorial (Ossuarium) was erected as early as 1948 and the corpses of the murdered were reburied. The municipality of Stazzema was awarded the highest state decoration for the victims in 1971. A 'Centro Regionale della Resistenza Toscana' (Tuscan Regional Centre for the Resistance Movement) was established in Sant'Anna di Stazzema in 1975 after Regional Law No. 9 was passed. A pinacotheca was opened in the former primary school building of Sant'Anna in 1982 in the presence of State President Sandro Pertini, with the massacre as its theme. On 19 September 1991 the 'Historical Museum of the Resistance' opened its doors.
In December 2000, the 'National Peace Park' was finally established by Law 381/2000. Its aim is to support cultural and international initiatives which serve the maintenance of peace and co-operation between nations.
The 'Historical Museum of the Resistance' houses a historical-documentary exhibition on the resistance and on the National Socialist occupation of Italy, a collection of paintings, a documentation centre and a collection of photographs and films.
On 12 August 1944, 560 civilians - mainly women, old people and children - were shot in Sant'Anna di Stazzema, their houses burnt down and the village destroyed.
Several institutions in Sant'Anna di Stazzema commemorate the victims of this massacre: an historical museum, a pinacotheca, a memorial and since 2000 also a 'National Peace Park'.
12 August 1944
Murder of 560 civilians.
1948
Establishment of the memorial (Ossuarium) and reburial of the corpses.
1971
The municipality of Stazzema was awarded the highest state decoration in recognition of the suffering.
1975
A ‘Centro Regionale della Resistenza Toscana’ (Tuscan Regional Centre for the Resistance Movement) was established in Sant’Anna di Stazzema after passing of Regional Law No. 9.
1982
A pinacotheca was opened in the former primary school building of Sant’Anna in the presence of State President Sandro Pertini, with the executions as its subject matter.
19 September 1991
Opening of the ‘Historical Museum of the Resistance’.
11 December 2000
Establishment of a ‘National Peace Park’ in Sant’Anna.
2003
Commencement of work on the extension of the museum’s structure as well as on a reception centre in the ‘National Peace Park’.
Sant'Anna di Stazzema, 1944, 'ring-a-ring-a-roses' danced by children a few months before their murder, Historical Museum of the Resistance.
Sant’Anna di Stazzema, 2004, Exterior view of the museum, Historical Museum of the Resistance.
Sant’Anna di Stazzema, 2004, View of the permanent exhibition of the museum, Historical Museum of the Resistance.
Sant'Anna di Stazzema, 2003, Work of art, commemorating the village's children, Historical Museum of the Resistance.
