Florence American Cemetery. A piece of US in the heart of Tuscany
The Florence American Cemetery and Memorial just a few km from Impruneta is a completely unique cemetery. Not only because of its differing nationality. But also as it is dedicated to the American soldiers who lost their lives fighting to liberate Italy from nazism. It is a very popular place for American tourists to visit who have relatives at the cemetery or who just want to visit this place of great significance. Unfortunately not many Italians take the time out and visit the cemetery. Which is a shame as it is a valuable and insightful lesson of a great moment in history.
The Florence American Cemetery
The cemetery is located on the far side of a hill which is reached by crossing a bridge over the river Greve. You can then see a long straight avenue that divides two large green meadows with thousands of white crosses lined up in curved rows. At first the crosses look the same but they are not, some of them are non-Latin and some are stars of David. Some have their names written in golden letters and correspond to the soldiers decorated with the medal of military valor. Still to this day many of the graves are unknown. The cemetery welcomes all 4402 fallen Americans in Italy after the liberation of Rome until at the end of the war. Many other American soldiers are buried at another very famous cemetery in Rome.
Walking slightly further up the street you reach the memorial of the fallen, where all the missing 1409 soldiers are commemorated on the wall of the missing. In front of this is a beautiful sculpture placed on top of a large column, a symbol and an inspiration for peace.
The memorial also houses a small chapel decorated with mosaics. Outside of this a large marble inlay which tells the history and geography of the liberation of Italy. There is a noticeable difference between the cemetery which is simpler and structurally regular, whereas the memorial is grander in scale and more architecturally impressive.
Information for visiting the American Cemetery of Florence
The US government manages the space, so the Florence American Cemetery looks impeccably preserved. At the entrance there is a small visitors centre where you can obtain information and sign the guestbook.
Relatives of those in the cemetery can either be directed by an employee as to the gravestone or they can have the coordinates and visit privately.
- It is located in a place called Tavarnuzze a few kilometres outside of Florence. It is just out from Impruneta-Greve on Chianti junction of the Florence-Siena, in Scopeti.
- It’s open everyday except the 25th of December and January 1st. It is open from 9-5 but in the summer stays open later until 7pm.
- Admission is free for all and they do not take offers or donations.
- The staff offer free guided tours of the cemetery every hour.
- You can find more information on the official website.
You might also be interest into the others cemeteries of Florence:
Hello – Will be traveling to Florence and unfortunately will not be there on a weekend when it appears is the only time the bus from Florence goes to the cemetery. Can you advise on a weekday visit to the cemetery? Is the bus an option or do we need to get a taxi/driver.
no bus unfortunately, but you can take a taxi