472 Mussolini - historical sites

I am travelling in Tuscany this summer. Can anyone tell me how easy (or difficult) it is to travel from Florence to Predappio or Dovia (?) - where Mussolini was born and where his tomb is. Any details regarding his hometown or monuments is welcomed.

ciao

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/24/2005 - 20:18

Have been to the Piazza Loreto in Milan where Benito and Claretta Petacci were hung. No historical markers nor any other indicators that I was able to locate.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/25/2005 - 02:13

Take the A1. Florence -Bologna (about 80km) turn onto the motorway at Bologna which goes to Rimini/Ancona exit at Forlì follow the road to Predappio.
It should take about 2 hours.
you'll be suprised when you get there!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/25/2005 - 12:14

Stefanaccio - I visited the square last October on a short break in Milan. I was surprised to find no plaque or marker. It is still worthwhile standing where history was made. It was easy to imagine that expanse of traffic and islands and crossings and lights being packed with Milanese (and others) following the execution.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/25/2005 - 12:18

Sebastiano - Thanks for the directions. I look forward to the surprise. I do know there is a tomb/crypt/shrine I have read about on another group's threads.

I assume that driving is the most straightforward way to get there. I don't mind the drive but would prefer to relax and take in the scenery. Is public transport alarmingly painstaking?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/26/2005 - 06:47

hello again,well you could ,and it's very quick cheap and easy to get to Bologna by train from Florence you'd probably have to change onto a local train to get to Forlì from where there is "possibly" a bus to Predappio.
from a village near to us they run a regular pilgrimage every year to Predappio if you can find out the date of birth you might find some local group going there!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/26/2005 - 10:17

July 29th is Mussolini's birthdate. Unfortunately, we will be back home in Scotland on 20th.
I'm sure I will get there by car or pony or train or bus...

You village? Is it far from Predappio. I'm intrigued to know how far 'pilgrimages' travel to visit the site.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/26/2005 - 11:02

Is it only me or does anyone else find the words "pilgrimage" and "Mussolini" strange bedfellows?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/26/2005 - 12:20

It is, perhaps, an unfortunate juxtaposition. Note that I did use inverted commas. Please, in your own mind, water down the meaning of the word. There is no word to name the act of travelling a long distance for personal/esoteric reasons as opposed to religious ones.

When I went to see Cavour bookshop in Milan, it was because Kerouac had signed books there. I thought of that as a pilgrimage of sorts.

My visit to Rome to see the manuscript of 'On The Road' (Sulla Strada) I thought of likewise.

Language changes and the meaning of 'pilgrimage', in a secular 21st century, has changed too.