Saw this yesterday. http://www.gustavline.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89:places-of-remembrance-in-montecassino-desecrated-2&catid=20&Itemid=139&lang=en A few extracts. An initiative merely commercial, subtly masked as meritorious work to realize a nativity among the ruins of the monastery of Santa Maria dell'Albaneta, a short walk from the Abbey of Monte Cassino and the Polish Military Cemetery, has already led to the violation of the monumental area where there are strong traces of World War II, through the implementation of work that is likely to have an impact on biodiversity and has already produced a significant change in the morphology of the territory.... ..... A large but brief success lasted only five months since the promoters of 'Christmas' have begun denying the entrance to the area for "organizational reasons". Many tourists and visitors that in light of this inauguration, knowing the opportunity to visit the sites of the battles, were refused access by unauthorized personnel who told them to go back on their steps. This moreover is occurring on a municipal road which by law is freely accessible. Is must be clear that in recent days, after exhausting bureaucratic procedures that required nearly two years, we have finally received the last permits that authorize us to carry out the actions that we planned at the initial planning. As just expressed, these authorizations were necessary to highlight the process we followed, albeit for modest interventions, but necessary to ensure the legality, respect for the sites and their history, as opposed to what is incredibly happening in the heart of Albaneta where, under the eyes of stunned visitors, bulldozers and mechanical means have arbitrarily plowed roads and material evidence of the conflict, paving the turf and desecrating what, at the cost of thousands of lives lost for an ideal, today is so disrespectfully commodified.
Monte Cassino is under threat from development. Please help us stop this travesty. https://www.change.org/p/salviamo-l-albaneta-di-montecassino-save-albaneta-on-montecassino?recruiter=48864075&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
There is a petition here: https://www.change.org/p/salviamo-l-albaneta-di-montecassino-save-albaneta-on-montecassino?recruiter=48864075&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink The precedent this development will set if it continues is disastrous. The developers will argue that the shop and other facilities should stay open even after the nativity closes. Then other developers will ask for the same permissions. This development was pushed through the council in secrecy and contrary to their recent commitment to increase public access to this naturally and historically valuable park. It needs to be stopped. Perry
Chaps. I was at Albaneta on Wed and did wonder what on earth was going on although there was nobody around to talk to. The tracks had been tidied up which was fine but the sight of Christmas lights and large figures of Santa was a bit weird. I am back there in early Feb with another Army group so I will see if this was just a Christmas thing or something more permanent. Whilst I was there, nobody stopped me walking where I have always done. If they had, they would have got a mouth full of English abuse. Regards Frank
Great to see that momentum is building against this project. Objections on the Change.org have reached 610. Thank you to everybody who has responded to the call. Much appreciated. Regards Frank
If its OK with the forum moderators please consider the link I have posted for a petition to keep Monte Cassino free from a planned "Christmas Village" theme park! https://www.change.org/p/salviamo-l-...fb_ref=Default Please sign and share. Regards Chris
I've posted a thread about this on another message board I frequent regularly. I'd suggest that others do likewise.
Anyone know what's going on about it over there? I have tried to keep up with it on the Gustav Line website but the translation doesn't help much. I have been shown some photos of it all & it does look cheap & tacky.
http://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node%2F3484 CASSINO - Organisers of the tacky 'Santa's village' at the Monte Cassino battlefield site bowed to growing pressure Friday and said they will close the project on Monday. The decision came after a week of protests including a sharp note by the Polish Embassy to the Italian Foreign ministry. Local heritage groups hailed the decision as a victory but said they would be vigilant and seek to prevent the battlefield being 'desecrated' by other commercial projects in the future.
Awesome news Owen!! 2nd win in the 5th Battle of Monte Cassino! Thanks to everyone who signed the petition and don’t let this news stop you or others from signing!!
Sent an email to the Abbott of the Monastery, reference the "Christmas Village", reminding him of a certain prophet, of a certain religion, who cleared out the money lenders in the temple, advising him to think again in future