Italy 1943–1945
Il Giogo Pass and Monte Altuzzo
Battlefield
The story
Here US II Corps broke the Gothic Line in the central Apennines in September 1944, after six days of fighting up Monte Altuzzo and Monticelli against German paratroopers. The breakthrough outflanked the stronger Futa Pass. A 5.2 km waymarked Gothic Line ring trail from the pass leads to trenches and positions on Monte Altuzzo.
What to look for
Stand at the pass and trace the skyline positions; with 2.5 hours to spare, walk the ring trail Passo del Giogo – Monte Altuzzo – Fonte Fredda.
Plan your visit
Parking at the pass on the SP503 between Scarperia and Firenzuola; trail moderate, 213 m of climb; wear boots.
Nearby sites
- MuGot — Museo Gotica Toscana, Ponzalla · 3 km
- German War Cemetery, Futa Pass · 11 km
- Florence War Cemetery, Girone · 31 km
- Monte Sole Historical Park — Casaglia · 32 km
- Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria, Florence · 33 km
- Ponte Vecchio and the demolished quarter, Florence · 33 km
All 96 sites in Italy 1943–1945 →
Into Europe: Italy 1943–1945
A free field guide for your phone: the route, the maps and the stories built in, even with no signal. The places of the Allied campaign in Italy, from the Sicily landings of July 1943 through Salerno, the Winter Line, Ortona, Cassino and Anzio, Rome, the Gothic Line and the final battles on the Senio and the Po in April 1945.
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