Routes through the nature and landscapes of the Lucca area

The Gothic Line and the memory of Brancoli

Evidence of war and memories of peace, a journey through World War II fortifications and the stories of local communities.

The defensive Gothic Line, created by the German forces during World War II to slow down the advance of the Allies towards northern Italy, ran along the Apennines, also involving the territory of San Giusto di Brancoli, where trenches and bunkers can still be found as evidence of the defensive works that were built. The battles that took place along the Gothic Line were among the fiercest of the Italian campaign, involving thousands of soldiers and civilians.

The Brancoli Memorial Museum, located in the small village of the same name, is a touching tribute to the events and people who were involved in these battles. Inaugurated in 2022 and housed in the vicarage next to the Church of San Giusto di Brancoli, it gathers testimonies, artefacts and documents that tell the story of the war, with a focus on local events and the sacrifice of communities. Through its exhibitions, the museum preserves historical memory and encourages reflection on peace and reconciliation.