Marzabotto (Italy)

Marzabotto is a comune in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It lies in the Reno valley, in the Bolognese Apennines, south of Bologna. The municipality is known for the archaeological site of Kainua, one of the most important examples of Etruscan urban planning, and for the Marzabotto massacre, also known as the massacre of Monte Sole, one of the largest massacres of civilians committed by German forces in Italy during the Second World War. The area was occupied in antiquity by the Etruscan city of Kainua, founded in the late sixth century BC and abandoned during the fourth century BC. During the Second World War, between 29 September and 5 October 1944, German SS units and associated forces killed hundreds of civilians in the Monte Sole area, striking villages, farmsteads, churches and cemeteries in the municipalities of Marzabotto, Monzuno and Grizzana Morandi. The town was awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor in 1948.