Cimitero Militare Francese di Venafro

The French Military Cemetery of Venafro is a memorial site located in the province of Isernia, in Molise. This cemetery represents the largest French military shrine in Italy, housing the remains of thousands of soldiers who fell during World War II.

During the Italian Campaign (1943-1945), the French Expeditionary Corps (CEF), under the command of General Alphonse Juin, played a crucial role in military operations, particularly during the Battle of Montecassino and the penetration of the Gustav Line. The French troops, composed of soldiers from not only metropolitan France but also from North African colonies such as Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, suffered heavy losses. To honor these fallen soldiers, it was decided to create a military cemetery in Venafro, a strategic location during the war operations.

The cemetery was constructed between September 1945 and December 1946 by the French military engineering corps, covering an area of approximately 76,000 square meters. Initially, about 6,000 soldiers were buried there, but subsequently, some remains were repatriated or transferred to other cemeteries.

The cemetery is divided into several sections, reflecting the religious plurality of the French troops: Christian Section: Located at the front, this area hosts the graves of soldiers of the Christian faith, marked by white crosses. At the center stands a commemorative chapel that tells the story of the French army's battles and houses photographs of General Charles de Gaulle's visit.

Muslim Section: Behind the Christian chapel is an area dedicated to Muslim soldiers, recognizable by the presence of a white minaret decorated with blue ceramic tiles. The graves in this section are oriented towards the northeast, in accordance with Islamic traditions, and the headstones have a rounded shape.

Other Religions: At the back of the cemetery, there are graves of soldiers of other faiths, including Jews (whose headstones are marked with the Star of David) and animists (recognizable by a stylized sun on their headstones).

All graves report the name of the deceased (if known), rank, and date of death, accompanied by the inscription "Mort pour la France" ("Died for France").

The French Military Cemetery of Venafro is not only a burial place but also a symbol of the sacrifice and contribution of French and colonial troops in the liberation of Italy from Nazism and Fascism. The French troops, particularly the North African units, played a decisive role in breaking through the German defenses during the Italian Campaign, paying a high tribute in terms of human lives.​

Every year, commemorative ceremonies are organized to honor the memory of these soldiers, emphasizing the importance of historical memory and reconciliation between peoples.