There are not many ways for a traveler to remember WWII in Italy - the physical reminders are few and they need a back story to be appreciated. Just north of Cinque Terre, there's now a very enjoyable bike path from Levanto to Framura which utilizes old railroad tunnels. In WWII that railroad was active and became the objective of an American commando raid in an operation called Ginny II - which began 75 years ago today. It ended in a war crime: the murder of 15 American soldiers of Italian heritage. There's a plaque in Ameglia a dozen miles away where the executions took place, and the comune will place flowers there on March 26. All anyone else can do is try to keep the soldiers and their sacrifice from being forgotten. The full story is here: https://www.apathtolunch.com/2012/04/liberation-day-ameglia-executions.html
Posted by
11697 posts
Thank you for your post. We will visit next time we are in that area. The Italian theater of war during WWII was especially brutal.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA, USA
1038 posts
Let's keep this on topic, please.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32402 posts
Mike,
I've researched this topic in the past, so am quite familiar with the details. There was also an operation Ginny I set to take place in the same area but it was discovered so had to be called off.
I have hiked (walked) the trails through the railway tunnels from Bonassola to Levanto. I can't remember how long it took as I was "dawdling" and admiring the scenery, but as I recall maybe an hour or so. They're not difficult at all and seem to be very popular with both hikers and those on bicycles. There may be bike rental options in that area but I didn't check.
Posted by
UT
50 posts
We walked the trail/tunnels from Levanto to Framura back in October of 2016. I thought it was a great, unique experience and a way to be off away from CT crowds. If the time stamps on my photos are correct, it took us 3.5 hours from the Levanto station to Framura "harbor" where the boats are. But that allowed for exploring the waterfront of Levanto a bit, Buonassola, and all the openings, side paths to the water along the way. We did see bike rentals for the path and there is a restaurant right at the end on the Framura side, although we didn't try it. I would revisit the trail/tunnels if back in the area. It was really one of the more enjoyable things we did while staying in CT.
Didn't know about the WWII ties, thank you for sharing that.