Italy 1943–1945
Sacrario di Cristo Re, Messina
Military shrine
The story
Italy's military shrine for Messina holds the remains of some 1,288 Italian soldiers of the Second World War and 110 of the First. Its terrace gives the best view of the city Patton entered on 17 August and of the Strait across which the Axis escaped.
What to look for
The crypt, the great bell cast from captured First World War guns that rings at sunset, and the view over the harbour.
Plan your visit
Free. Opening of the church and crypt varies; the terrace is usually accessible. Check before you go.
Nearby sites
- Baytown landing shore, Gallico–Catona (Reggio Calabria) · 9 km
- Capo Peloro, Torre Faro · 12 km
- Monte Cipolla, Brolo · 65 km
- Landing beach, Sant'Agata di Militello · 80 km
- San Fratello ridge, San Fratello · 86 km
- Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943, Catania · 86 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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