Twelve tons of Carrara marble. That’s the weight of the Grande Madre the statue dominating the Monument aux morts italiens de Lyon. This isn’t just a monument. It’s a story etched in stone a testament to sacrifice and friendship.
Before you stands the Monument aux morts italiens de Lyon a war memorial in Lyon’s Guillotière cemetery. It commemorates Italian soldiers who died in Lyon during World War I. The Italian government owns it a poignant reminder of the shared history between Italy and France.
Sculptor Vincenzo Pasquali created this masterpiece in San Remo. He then had it transported all the way to Lyon a feat of engineering in its own right. The main inscription reads “Here lie the soldiers of the allied Italian nation who died in Lyon’s ambulances during the 1914-1918 war in a plot granted in perpetuity by the city of Lyon.” Powerful words.
But the story goes deeper than the inscription. The monument sits within a 300-square-meter plot permanently granted to the Italian government. This area also houses 81 individual graves of Italian soldiers a decision made by the Lyon city council in 1922 under Edouard Herriot. Their remains originally rested beneath the monument itself. The Italian community of Lyon then requested the bodies be moved into a vault. The monument became a powerful symbol of respect.
The monument was inscribed as a historical monument in 2019 then classified in 2021. This recognition solidifies its importance in Lyon’s historical landscape. The monument’s design itself is striking. The Grande Madre a symbol of Mother Italy stands tall. She embodies strength and resilience. A fallen soldier lies at her feet symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice.
The Monument aux morts italiens de Lyon is more than just a collection of stone and marble. It’s a living memorial to the shared history of Italy and France. A reminder of the cost of war and the enduring strength of friendship between nations. It’s a place where we can pause reflect and honor those who gave their all. Take a moment to absorb the solemnity of this remarkable monument. Let its message of remembrance resonate within you.