One of the unique places in Loreto is the Polish War Cemetery - one of four necropolises of Polish soldiers who died in Italy during World War II. Soldiers who died during the battles in the Marche region were buried here. Their bravery is part of the history of the city and their memory is still being cherished.
Loreto, surrounded by a 16th-century wall, was liberated during World War II by Polish soldiers of the 2nd Polish Corps, commanded by General Władysław Anders (1892-1970). Many of them died in the battles of Loreto, Ancona, in the Battle of the Metauro River and on the Gothic Line. It was then that the decision was made to rest their bodies in Loreto, at the foot of the Basilica of Our Lady of Loreto.
This place was not chosen by chance. In addition to liberating the city, Poles helped save the basilica, which they saved from the flames when it caught fire after one of the German bombing raids. Today, this unique event in the history of the city is commemorated by one of the stained glass windows in the basilica, depicting Poles saving this unique monument from the fire, regardless of the armed fighting going on around it.
The Polish War Cemetery is located on a slope near the Sanctuary of Santa Casa in Loreto. It was designed in such a way that it offers an amphitheatrical view of the sea and Ancona. The necropolis is located on three terraces leading towards the Basilica of Loreto. The soldiers' graves are arranged in even rows imitating a formation. There are many Polish national symbols on the cemetery grounds, and the Polish flag flies. There is also a high stone altar here, in the center of which there is a marble bas-relief of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn. A little lower you can see a bas-relief of the Virtuti Militari Cross (Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage) and the insignia of the 2nd Corps.
The cemetery was established in 1944. 1,112 officers and soldiers of the 2nd Polish Corps and units assigned to the Corps are buried here, who died during combat or died of wounds, who fell on the Adriatic Front, in the battles of Ancona and Loreto, on the Metauro River and on the Gothic Line.
Walking around the cemetery, you can notice that Polish soldiers of many denominations are buried here. Most of the soldiers buried here are Catholic, but there are also graves of soldiers of other denominations: Orthodox, Mosaic, Evangelical and Muslim.
After visiting the cemetery, it is worth going to John Paul II Square, which is located in front of the basilica. It offers a fascinating view of the Polish necropolis and the entire area. This is the perfect place to stop for a moment and quietly commemorate the soldiers who were thrown so far away from their homeland by the war and who never returned to their country.
History is a tool for building national identity. Understanding how history shapes the present is not only an interesting study of the past, but also crucial to understanding the impact of history on our lives. Learning about history allows us to better understand the world we live in and the events that affect us. This allows us to avoid making the same mistakes and build a better future. While in Loreto, be sure to visit the Polish War Cemetery there.
