Column of Liberation 2010
The report of the event is now available in Italian language. The English version will be ready soon.
an idea by:
“Gotica Toscana Onlus
Historic, Commemorative and Reenacting Event with Charity Purpose
Download the program
 |
in collaboration with
Worl War II Museum of the Po River
Italian Red Cross
Association Giuseppe e Margherita Coletta
International Military Vehicle Collectors Club (IMVCC)
Gothic Line of Lucchesia
Highway Six
Memorial Museum of Liberty
Italian Association of Parachutists (ANPDI)
Museum of the Winter Line
Association Soldat 39-45
Association Linea Gotica Tirrenica
Association Reenactors 43-45
Association 92nd Buffalo
Association Tracce di Storia
Proponent bodies
Municipality of Scarperia 
Municipality of Montana del Mugello
Municipality of Castiglion Fiorentino 
Municipality of Cascina
Municipality of Seravezza 
Municipality of San Lazzaro di Savena
Municipality of Pianoro 
Municipality of Rignano sull’Arno
Municipality of Firenzuola 
Municipality of Montevarchi
Municipality of Montecatini Terme 
Municipality of Capannoli
Municipality of Pisa 
Municipality of Pieve a Nievole
Municipality of Scandicci 
Municipality of Reggello
With the support of
Italeri S.p.a.
Talassi Marco Farm S.r.l.
Serramenti Innovativi a Guarnizione Attiva
Unogas Toscana s.r.l.
GR2 Arredamenti
Banca di Credito Cooperativo di Cambiano
Banca del Mugello Credito Cooperativo
What the Column of Liberation is; some information for foreign fellow collectors.
During the last few years Gotica Toscana Onlus (not for profit Association) has managed relevant commemorative events in Italy as well as has participated in the most important European events like Tanks in Town (2008-2009), Normandy and Bastogne celebrations (2009). We had the chance to talk to many of you during the above mentioned European events and now we would like to invite you in Italy! Many of you have never seen Italy before, while others have tried to get in touch with other Club in order to visit Italy without receiving response or have come to Italy for holidays only. Anyway, none of you has ever join a WW2 commemorative event in Italy.
Often the Italian Campaign is associated with the idea of a secondary front; instead it has been a real war in the war since the Allies have fought step by step along the Peninsula from Sicily to the Alps, suffering heavy losses as well as the Axis forces. The Italian Campaign ended in April 1945, although Italy is no more in the limelight since the Liberation of Rome (June 4th 1944) which little anticipate D-Day in Normandy (June 6th 1944) despite during the second half of 1944 and for the whole winter of 1945 thousand soldiers from both parts have been deployed by/against the last German fortified defense line built up in the Apennines Mountains: the Gothic Line.
Bunkers, emplacements, trenches, battlefield are still visible nowadays on the Apennines Mountains between Toscana and Emila-Romagna regions where everything has remained the same since then on; it is not difficult to find older people in the Mountains still using military equipment like tools, shovels, belts and it is not impossible to find helmets and other WW2 military equipment also. The Gothic Line impressed in the population the permanent and indelible memory of a difficult but overcome period of life. The most frequent images of those days depict columns of liberators marching northbound or the population familiarizing with soldiers during winter lull. Many US soldiers, especially, had Italian origins
The Column of Liberation is inspired by this collective Memory with the aim to preserve history and memories of those days which is fading away together with older people, living witnesses of those events; it is right because Italy has not a wide net of WW2 Museums, like Great Britain, France or Belgium, that event such as the Column of Liberation grow in importance in order to keep the Memory alive. Every kind of vehicle German, Italian ,English and American finds room within the Column of Liberation, because being an historic apolitical event it should depict every army involved with the only exception of those unit and formation which committed crimes against the population (right not to harm them again!).
Not only: the Column in fact will raise charity funds also, through the city where it will stop, to fund the activity of the Association Giuseppe e Margherita Coletta which is involved in the realization of an orphanage in Burkina Faso already in construction even thanks to the funds raised during the Column of Liberation 2008.
So, Gotica Toscana Onlus is glad and ready to bring you around in the beautiful Italy where History and Arts blend with culture and gastronomy in order to let you spend an amazing week end feeling yourself at home! You are welcome…
PAY ATTENTION: If you like a longer stay, you can easily find an accommodation for the days before or after the event and we will be glad to help you in doing this, simply ask the Organization about this!!! (see below Tourist Option)
 |
 |
Concurrent events
20-21 March 2010
Sarzana (SP) nearby “Area Gerardo”
Waiting for the Column of Liberation
Us WW2 vehicles exhibition
Opening of the charity fund raising stand
An event by the “92nd BUFFALO DIVISION Association” from Sarzana
22 April 2010
San Lazzaro di Savena - Piazza Bracci 1 (BO) from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
WW2 Military vehicles exhibition
Opening of the charity fund raising stand
An event by “Museo Memoriale della Libertà” from Sarzana
Download the road list
|
Friday 23rd April 2010
3 different Columns are formed.
Three columns will be formed (Column “A” Arezzo – Column “B” Bologna - Column “C” Sarzana) in order to get to Firenze around 5.00 p.m. This part of the event is optional because it is possible (for foreign participants) to get to Firenze directly.
“Column A” – Starting from Castiglion Fiorentino (AR) heading toward Firenze
Southbound - Northbound
09:30 a.m. Vehicles and participants gathering by the main square of Castiglion Fiorentino (AR) and opening of the ITALIAN RED CROSS charity fund raising stand
10:30 a.m. Greeting of the Municipality to the participants
11:00 a.m. Light refreshment offered to the partcipants by the citizenship
12:30 a.m. Departure of the Column to Arezzo
1:00 p.m. Entrance and transit into Arezzo
2:00 p.m. Transit through Montevarchi
2:30 p.m. Transit through Figline Valdarno/Incisa
3:45 p.m. Arrival in Pontassieve and brief stop of the Column
4:45 p.m. Departure of the Column to Firenze
5:45 p.m. Arrival in Firenze; Columns join.
“Column B” – Departure from San Lazzaro di Savena (BO) heading toward Firenze
Northbound - Southbound.
09:00 a.m. Vehicles and participants gathering by Memorial Museum of Liberty in San Lazzaro di Savena (BO)
10:00 a.m. Departure of the Column to Road SS65 della Futa
11:30 a.m. Arrival in Livergnano, visit to WW2 Winter Line Museum and light refreshment to the participants offerd by the Museum
1:00 p.m. Departure of the Column to Loiano
1:45 p.m. Transit through Loiano
2:15 p.m. Transit through Monghidoro
2:30 p.m. Transit by Passo della Raticosa
2:45 p.m. Transit through Pietramala (Road SS65)
3:00 p.m. Arrival at Futa Pass and visit of the German Military Cemetery
3:30 p.m. Departure to Scarperia (via Panna – Galliano – S.Agata)
4:30 p.m. Transit through Scarperia heading toward Borgo San Lorenzo
5:00 p.m. Transit through Borgo San Lorenzo
6:00 p.m. Arrival at Firenze (from Via Faentina); Columns join.
“Column C” – Departure from Sarzana (SP) heading toward Lucca – Firenze
Eastbound - Westbound
09:00 a.m. Vehicles and participants gathering in Sarzana (SP) and opening of the ITALIAN RED CROSS charity fund raising stand
10:00 a.m. Departure of the Column to Carrara and Massa
12:00 a.m. Arrival at Lucca, brief stop and join with participants from Lucca
12:30 a.m. Visit of Lucca – lunch at your own discretion
1:30 p.m. Departure of the Column to Pescia
2:30 p.m. Transit through Montecatini Terme
3:30 p.m. Arrival at Pistoia and brief stop
4:00 p.m. Departure from Pistoia heading to Prato
5:00 p.m. Transit through Prato heading toward Firenze
5:45 p.m. Arrival at Firenze (from Via Lucchese); Columns join.
Since this moment the three Columns become a single Column, the “Column of Liberation”!
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Accomodation of participants into Hotels, barracks, campings etc.
7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Dinner in a Military Station (set Menù forthcoming)
9:00 p.m. Departure of the Column to Firenze downtown.
9:30 p.m. The Column stop downtown, visit of the centre of the city (Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi (outside) surrondings areas). Dance of the 40’ with a ballet group.
11:00 p.m Return of the Column inside the Military Station to spend the night.
Saturady 24th April 2010 – Transfer Firenze – Pisa on the Panoramic Volterrana Road
08:00 a.m. Departure of the Column, transit through Firenze, riverside, Michelangelo Terrace, Via Romana then Galluzzo and Montespertoli
10:00 a.m. Arrival at Castelfiorentino and brief stop
10:30 a.m. Departure from Castelfiorentino heading toward Certaldo – Poggibonsi
11:45 a.m. Arrival at Colle Val d'Elsa and stop for the lunch (set Menù forthcoming)
2:00 p.m. Departure to Volterra
2:30 p.m. Transit through Volterra
4:00 p.m. Arrival at Ponsacco and brief stop
5:00 p.m. Transit through Cascina
6:30 p.m. Arrival at Pisa and entrance into Italian Military “Folgore” Parachutists training centre
7:30 p.m. Dinner into the Military Station (set Menù forthcoming)
8:30 p.m. Accomodation of participants into Hotels, barracks, campings etc.
Sunday 25th April 2010 – City of Pisa
08:00 a.m. Flag raising cerimony
08:30 a.m. Greetings from Military Authorities
09:00 a.m. Variuos activities: visit to the Museum of Italian Parachutists, display of WW2 Italian Parà by the ANPDI (Italian Association on Military Parachutists), exhibition of dioramas and small scale models by the CIMS (Italian Small Scale Models Comittee)
10:30 a.m. Departure of the Column to Pisa downtown; visit of the historic centre of the city (in collaboration with the Municipality)
1:00 p.m. Return to the Military Station and lunch (set Menù forthcoming)
3:30 p.m. End of the event
According to the program the vehicles will be sorted to get back to their original departure zone; a Column will head directly toward Firenze (around 65km), another Column will head to Sarzana (around 40km). People that will head a different destination should comunicate it to the Organization.
REGISTRATION, RULES AND BEHAVIOR OF PARTICIPANTS
- 1) The participation to the “Column of Liberation 2010” is subject to a pre-registration that you can accomplish by fulfilling the online form;
- 2) The preregistration must be accompanied by the payment of an upfront fee of € 25.00. Money can be transferred with:
- A. a paypal payment to >ddayoverlord@tin.it<;
- B. a bank transfer to the following account:
Account Holder: Gotica Toscana Onlus – Via A. Galilei 7, I-50038 Scarperia (FI), Italy. - IBAN code: IT60 N 07601 02800 000071628283
- BIC/Swift Code: BPPIITRRXXX
- In any case, payment description must indicate “Column of Liberation 2010”.
- The €25.00 fee is not refundable except than in case of registration refusal by the Organization or cancellation of the event.
- 3) The rest of the payment for the participation at the “Column of Liberation 2010” will be made during the first day of the event.
- 4) The deadline for registrations is April the 11th, 2010. Beyond that date, the Organization reserves the right to accept further registrations.
- 5) In any case, participation to the event is limited to the number of individuals /vehicles compatible with existing facilities. We strongly advise to register as soon as possible, particularly if hotel accommodations are needed.
- 6) The event is open to any WW2 military vehicles up to 1945.
- 7) Vehicles owners dressing WW2 uniforms as well as reenactors are welcome and encouraged both in group or individually. The Organization will try to accommodate everybody on WW2 vehicles, in accordance with vehicles owners, to the extent room is available but declines responsability if there is not room enough. Anyway, nobody will be left behind.
- 8) Dressed military uniforms must be consistent with WW2 era. Allies and Axis uniforms (like Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe or Kriegsmarine) are allowed, while wearing or displaying uniforms of any political formation/organization such as PNF (National Fascists Party) and NSDAP (including SS fighting units) are STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
- 9) All vehicles must conform to Italian existing Highway Code (Codice della Strada) Laws and Regulations. Vehicles owners and drivers will be responsible for any damages and consequences caused by their vehicles. The Organization will not be responsible for the damages caused to people or properties.
- 10) Deactivated weapons/ordnances and toy model guns/ordnances can be showed and exhibited by the participants without harming other participants, visitors and local populations. Deactivated weapons/ordnances must be accompanied by a deactivation certificate which MUST COMPLY with ITALIAN REGULATION which is VERY SEVERE. Anyway, every participant is responsible for possession/displaying/carrying of his own weapon/gun/ordnance and must conform to Italian existing Laws and Regulations and collaborate with possibly requests which may come from Law Enforcement officers. If necessary, the Organization can limit the display of weapons during particular phases of the event or if requested to do so by Municipalities or Public/Police Authorities.
- 11) It is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN to use any kind guns or other firing devices including blanks, fireworks, signals, smoke, and whatever else may alarm Law Enforcement and Firefighting authorities. It is also forbidden to light open-flame fires.
- 12) The behavior of every participant must be appropriate to a commemorative event. It is strictly forbidden to engage in any form of violence, harassment or other disrespectful behaviors which can upset or compromise the good outcome of the event. It is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN to aim any kind of weapon to anybody even if deactivated or toy model.
- 13) During the event it is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN to march, sing battle hymns or national anthems or swear at other participants, visitors or local populations.
- 14) Reenactors and other participants will avoid to engage in any kind political discussions or to express personal views on the local or general history of the places and period. Instead, military equipment can be displayed and pertinent explanations can be given to interested people.
- 15) The Organization reserves at any times the right to expel from the event the participant who will obey to the present rules, without previous warning and without refunding participation fees.
- 16) Each group/individual will be responsible for the preservation of and damages of all kinds to areas/sites/places/rooms/services/equipments/accessories made available for use to them/him. Particular attention must be paid in case of permanence/meal/accomodation within military structures.
- 17) Underages can join the event if accompanied/authorized (written) by their parents. In any case underages cannot man/handle weapons/guns/ordnances no matter if deactivated or toy models.
- 18) During the event it is forbidden to leave the column of vehicles or take your own initiative; during the stops every participant is due to respect timing which will be communicated properly.
- 19) No vehicle will be left behind even in case of malfunction; the Organization offers a recovery vehicle which can bear even three axles vehicles up to 14 tons.
- 20) The Organization informs that drivers of historical vehicles can be subject to Alcohol Test at will of Law Enforcement Authorities
- 21) For issues not covered by the present rules/regulation, please contact the organization!
The Organization reserves the right to change the current program
of the event without giving notice about that.
The Organization offers financial refunds to foreign participants in order to cover fuel and trasportation costs for vehicles. Obviously, funds are limited and will be shared among foreign participants according to their number and the time of their registration.
So, please if you wish to join the “Column of Liberation” contact the organization as soon as possible!!!
If necessary, in order to facilitate transfers, the Organization provides shuttle buses for the days of the event.
The Organization offers free of charge accommodations for the registered participants within military stations as well as public buildings like gym, but every participant needs to bring is own sleeping-bag. As with every service offered by the Organization, free of charge accommodations are limited and so preregistration to the event is recommendable in order to make an early reservation for the available room you are interested in!
The Organization provides a free of charge service of reservation for those wishing an hotel accommodations giving information about room availability and rates.
Simply, tell us your requirements!
However, if you wish to arrange reservations directly you may do so at your own discretion.
During the days of the event Gotica Toscana offers a free of charge shuttle bus from and to the recommended hotels which offer special prices to the participants.
Civil and Military accomodations in Florence and Pisa
CIVIL accomodations in Florence:
Option A.
SANCAT (Sports Association) - Via del Mezzetta 1 - 50135 Firenze
Free of charge accomodation into a gymnasium
Option B.
Recommended Hotel:
Holiday Inn Hotel Florence - Viale Europa, 205 - 50126 Firenze - FULL
 |
Check in April 23, 2010 – Check out April 24, 2010
Special prices with this Hotel are available only to the participants of the Column of Liberation. To enjoy the reduced prices please make reservation directly with GOTICA TOSCANA (we are in direct contact with the Hotel)
Prices per person for one night including International breakfast (buffet):
- € 38 (accomodation in a double room);
- € 33 (accomodation in a triple room);
- € 28 (accomodation in a quadruple room)
- € 25 single room supplement
Triple rooms present a queen-size bed plus a sofa bed, quadruple rooms present two queen-size beds.
Kids up to 13 years can share the room with their parents free of charge.
Bank Account: W.E.I. ITALIA NORTH SPA - UNICREDIT BANCA – AGENZIA 2
C/C: 000000584890 ABI: 03226 CAB: 02801 CIN: Z
IBAM CODE: IT03Z0322602801000000584890
MILITARY accomodations in Florence:
Perotti Military Base – Free of charge accomodations avaliable in limited number (for men only)
CIVIL accomodations in Pisa:
Option A.
Sports Association near Gamerra Military Base Free of charge accomodation into a gymnasium
Option B.
Recommended Hotel:
AC Hotel Pisa 
Via delle Torri, 20 - 56124, Pisa Zona Cisanello
San Ranieri Hotel - Via Mazzei, 2 - 56124 Pisa - Zona Cisanello FULL
 |
Check in April 24, 2010 – Check out April 25, 2010
Special prices with this Hotel are available only to the participants of the Column of Liberation. To enjoy the reduced prices please make reservation directly with GOTICA TOSCANA (we are in direct contact with the Hotel)
Prices per room for one night including International breakfast (buffet):
- Double rooms to use as single rooms € 75,00 (instead of € 200);
- Double rooms € 80 (instead of € 240);
- Double rooms to use as triple rooms with the addition of a single bed € 105 (instead of € 290)
Kids up to 13 years can share the room with their parents free of charge.
EXTRA SERVICES
Internet Wi-fi € 10 per day
San Ranieri Hotel - Banca Credem Filiale di Pisa Agenzia 2 Corso Italia, 61 56125 PISA
C/C: 010 0000 30863 - IBAN: IT10 I 03032 14001 010000030863
MILITARY accomodations in Pisa:
Gamerra Military Base – Free of charge accomodations avaliable in limited number (for men only)
Wish you to visit the city of Firenze or Pisa or something else before or after the “Column of Liberation”? Would you like to have a battlefield tour on the Gothic Line possibly with your own historical vehicle?
Yes, we can!!!
Tell us when you would like to visit our beautiful Toscany and Gotica Toscana will arrange your tour! We also have at our disposal some accommodations for free and can attend you during the visit of Firenze or of the Gothic Line! Mail us and we will give you support!
Contact: info@goticatoscana.eu
To join the event for the whole program 3 days, which include 4 Italian typical full meal (appetizer + first course + second course + side dish) and a buffet for the lunch of Friday the 23rd, has a cost of € 80 (€ 70 for the Gotica Toscana members).
All the participants will receive free of charge an Italeri Limited Edition “Column of Liberation” small-scale model (1:24) of the famous US Willys MB Jeep.
If you intend to participate to some days of the program only, costs change according to the below table:
|
Pre-Registration: €25,00 – (Hotel Reservations are apart)
Should you need further information do not hesitate to contact us via email or mobile phone:
Gotica Toscana Onlus: info@goticatoscana.eu
For info in French language
Simone Guidorzi +393483157390
For info in English language
Corso Boccia +393286746665
Luca Bambagiotti Alberti +393384576040
We thank in advance to all those who will participate or contribute to the event in any way. See you soon!
The Organization