| Florence! The heart of the art! Located in the middle of | | | | perfect order, with a variety of beautiful trees and |
| Tuscany, it has represented for centuries the cradle of | | | | bushes around immaculate lawns, on the west side of |
| art, in all its forms and expressions. This enormous and | | | | the Greve River. Between the two entrance buildings, |
| priceless heritage has attracted people from all over | | | | a bridge leads to the burial area where the headstones |
| the world, making of Florence one of the most popular | | | | of 4.402 American military are arrayed in symmetrical |
| tourist destinations. This has not always been the case | | | | curved rows upon the hillside. Most of them died in the |
| though, at least for some years. | | | | fighting occurred after the capture of Rome in 1944, |
| Thousands of soldiers were sent to Europe, and Italy, | | | | including casualties of the heavy fighting in the |
| during the Second World War and Florence became a | | | | Apennines shortly before the end of the war. Above |
| land to conquer and then to defend. Museums, | | | | the burial area on the topmost of three broad terraces |
| churches, cathedrals, piazzas and other beauties of | | | | stands the memorial marked by a tall pylon |
| Florence were no longer the aim of those who came | | | | surmounted by a large sculptured figure depicting the |
| from far away. Sadly, many would not make their | | | | spirit of peace. The memorial has two open atria |
| way back home and thanks to their lives, Florence, Italy | | | | joined by the Tablets of the Missing upon which are |
| and Europe could gain its previous freedom. | | | | inscribed the names of 1.409 Americans who gave |
| For those who want to pay homage to these lives, | | | | their lives in the service of their country and who rest |
| they can visit the Florence American Cemetery, | | | | in unknown graves. The architects of the cemetery |
| located on the west side of Via Cassia, about 10 km | | | | and monument were McKim, Mead and White. The |
| south of Florence. The Rome-Milan motorway passes | | | | landscape architects were Clarke and Rapuano. |
| nearby and its Certosa-Florence exit is about 3 km | | | | The cemetery is open to visitors all year round. In |
| from the cemetery. The "SITA" bus station provides a | | | | Summer (16th April- 30th September) from 8.00 am to |
| frequent bus service along Via Cassia. The bus stop is | | | | 6.00 pm, every day, and in Winter (1st October - 15th |
| conveniently located just outside the cemetery gate. | | | | April) from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, again every day. |
| The site covers seventy acres and is duly kept in | | | | |