Lost in Milan’s vibrant streets it’s easy to overlook the quiet memorials that dot the city. Here at Via Hermada 8 we find the Francesco Rigoldi Plaque. It serves as a stark reminder of sacrifice during World War II.
The Francesco Rigoldi Plaque commemorates the life of Francesco Rigoldi. He was born in Rodano in 1914. At the young age of two, his family moved to Niguarda. They lived at Via Ornato 32. After completing sixth grade in 1938, Francesco began working as a blacksmith at Pirelli Bicocca. It was during this time that he joined the Italian Communist Party PCI.
In 1940, Pirelli became a war factory. This exempted Francesco from military service. After Mussolini’s fall, worker unions reorganized. Francesco was elected to the internal commission. When the Germans occupied the factories in September 1943, secret committees formed at Pirelli. These committees planned clandestine activities within the factory.
The Communist Party tasked Francesco with reorganizing the underground labor movement. This spanned factories from Sesto San Giovanni to Porta Venezia in Milan. His house at Viale Sarca 78 became a meeting place for strike preparations. The Nazi fascists arrested and deported many workers to Germany to suppress the unrest.
On April 27, 1944, Francesco was arrested and taken to San Vittore prison. In August 1944, he and 14 companions escaped from a train. It was headed to a concentration camp. He returned to Milan but the fascists were searching for him. He joined the partisans of the 86th Valtaleggio Brigade in Bergamo.
His wife Eglia moved to Via Hermada 4 in Niguarda. This was because their home was under fascist surveillance. In October, Francesco became a political commissioner. He served in the 52nd Garibaldi Brigade Luigi Clerici. This was in the Centro lago comasco area. Partisan activity was difficult there due to frequent raids by the Black Brigades.
On December 22, partisans were caught by surprise in Croce above Sala Comacina. Four were killed in the shootout. Twenty-two were arrested including Francesco Rigoldi. After interrogation and torture, they were tried in Como. This was by the Extraordinary Military Tribunal. Five were sentenced to death including Francesco. On December 30, 1944, they were shot at dawn. The execution took place at the Camerlata shooting range.
The day before his execution, Francesco wrote a letter to his wife. He asked for her forgiveness. He dreamed of a happy world but instead was leaving her alone with their two children. He asked her to care for them. He died with their names on his lips. He hoped for a better eternity. He sent kisses to the children and a last embrace to his wife.
The Francesco Rigoldi Plaque marks the spot where Eglia moved to. It serves as a silent testament to a life of commitment. It also honors a man who fought for freedom and justice. It’s a reminder of the cost of resistance. It also remembers the sacrifices made during a dark period in Milan’s history.