Ardeatine Caves

An Italian partisan attack conducted on the 23rd of March 1944 led to the death of 33 German soldiers. The action took place in Via Rasella at the very centre of Rome, where you can still see signs of the explosions.

In response to this partisan action, Hitler wanted Rome to be razed to the ground and its entire population to be deported to Germany. General Kesselring, who was the commander in Rome at the time, decided that in retaliation ten Italian people were to be executed for each German soldier killed.

Put in charge of this vile massacre were Colonel Kappler and Captain Priebke who, aided by Caruso, the Fascist Head of Police, had 335 people murdered with a shot to the head in the Ardeatine Caves.

The Ardeatine Caves, situated near Via Ardeatina, are now a monument to the slaughter. This monument, built in 1949, is very simple and linear in style.

The caves are now a mausoleum in honour of the 335 victims who were murdered inside.