Historic walks in Forlì city centre: routes recalling the 1943–1944

Historic walks in Forlì city centre: routes recalling the 1943–1944 wartime events

Two guided walks through Forlì’s historic centre offer distinct routes highlighting buildings and locations connected to the city’s experience during World War II. The events are free and suitable for anyone interested in the historical relevance of local monuments.

• Where: Cloister of San Mercuriale, Piazza Aurelio Saffi (meeting at the Sacrario dei Caduti per la Libertà 1943-1945)
• When: From 2026-04-18 to 2026-04-19 — meeting at 09:45, departure at 10:00
• Price: Free
• Participation: open, no booking required; walks will be cancelled in case of rain
• Info & contacts: Antonio Spazzoli +39 348 871 1727; Gabriele Zelli +39 349 373 7026

First route (Saturday 18 April)

This itinerary starts at the Abbey of San Mercuriale and visits major civic buildings and sites that retain evidence of wartime events. Guides will combine architectural notes with the historical episodes linked to each stop.

• Abbey of San Mercuriale (local figures and interventions)
• Town Hall and Palazzo Albertini (institutional uses during the conflict)
• BCC headquarters on Corso della Repubblica (historic wartime function in 1944)
• University Campus / former Morgagni Hospital (places of rescue and shelter)
• Via Oberdan and Arena Forlivese (episodes connected to the Resistance and arms concealment)
• Via Giorgio Regnoli and Largo De Calboli (neighbourhoods with antifascist residents and persecuted families)

Second route (Sunday 19 April)

The second itinerary focuses on damage from bombings and sites used for detention and repression, paying particular attention to monuments affected and collective memory.

• Via delle Torri (commemoration of the 25 August 1944 bombing and damage to public buildings)
• Piazzetta XC Pacifici and the Civic Tower (destruction of the tower and cathedral bell tower during the German retreat)
• Under the town loggia and the stories of local Jewish families
• Via Merenda (hit during the December 1944 bombing)
• Former Albergo Commercio and Palazzo Marchesi (uses during occupation and diocesan efforts to protect detainees)
• Former orphanage (used as a German sub-command and place of detention and torture)

Organisers

The walks are promoted by local cultural and historical associations. Expert guides will contextualise monuments within the wartime history of Forlì.