5 Martyrs of Artimino Commemorative Performance
Honoring the victims of the August 6, 1944 massacre in Artimino through civil ceremony and musical theatre
About 5 Martyrs of Artimino
A commemoration that becomes civil theatre
The 5 Martyrs of Artimino Commemorative Performance is the annual summer event where the community of Carmignano, in the Province of Prato (Tuscany), keeps the memory of one of the most painful chapters of the Second World War alive. The evening takes place in Artimino, a small hillside village world-renowned for the UNESCO-listed Medici Villa "La Ferdinanda", and transforms remembrance into a collective experience that blends civil ritual with live performance.
What we remember: the massacre of August 6, 1944
On August 6, 1944, as German troops retreated through Tuscany, five innocent civilians were executed in a reprisal in Artimino: Vincenzo Del Conte (76), his daughter Nella (40), Olinto Fontani (59), Samuele Nepi (68), and Zelinda Vangi (43). The town has dedicated a street and a memorial plaque to them, housed in a tabernacle built shortly after the tragedy. It is around this memory that the citizens gather every year.
How the evening unfolds
The commemoration begins in Piazza San Carlo in Artimino, usually around 8:30 PM. From there, a procession heads to the memorial plaque, where the official ceremony takes place with the blessing and laying of a laurel wreath in the presence of municipal authorities. Immediately after, the square becomes a stage for the musical theatre performance, the emotional heart of the event: a dramatic reading where spoken word alternates with live partisan songs and traditional music, bringing the faces, stories, and landscapes of those years back to life for the audience.
A consolidated tradition
Recent editions have featured the musical reading "Eppure era bella la sera" (Yet the evening was beautiful) by the Metropopolare company, directed by Livia Gionfrida, featuring the voice of Giulia Aiazzi and live accordion by Matilde Toni. Over the years, Artimino has hosted various performances and voices from the Italian theatre scene, all dedicated to the themes of the Resistance and collective memory.
Organizers
The event is promoted by the Municipality of Carmignano in collaboration with the ANPI section of Carmignano and the Circolo Arci 11 Giugno of Poggio alla Malva. Admission is free, and for 2026, it is included in the municipality's official summer cultural program.
Why attend
More than just a ceremony, this is an opportunity to experience the hills of Artimino on a summer evening, blending history, civic engagement, and theatre in one of the most evocative villages of the Montalbano area. A sober and intense event, perfect for those seeking cultural tourism off the beaten path.
5 Martyrs of Artimino — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the 5 Martyrs of Artimino Commemorative Performance is included in the summer cultural initiatives of the Municipality of Carmignano, in the Province of Prato. The evening, organized in collaboration with the ANPI of Carmignano and the Circolo Arci 11 Giugno of Poggio alla Malva, will follow the traditional structure: gathering in Piazza San Carlo in Artimino, a procession to the memorial plaque, an official ceremony with the laying of a laurel wreath, and a musical theatre performance on the theme of partisan memory.
The date indicated on the calendar is the traditional August 6, the anniversary of the 1944 massacre; the usual meeting time is around 8:30 PM. The detailed program and any title for the performance will be communicated by the Municipality in the weeks preceding the event.
Programme 5 Martyrs of Artimino 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be published by the Municipality of Carmignano in the weeks prior to the event. The evening traditionally follows this structure:
- Gathering in Piazza San Carlo, Artimino (usual time around 8:30 PM)
- Procession to the memorial plaque of the five martyrs
- Official ceremony with the blessing and laying of a laurel wreath, in the presence of authorities
- Musical theatre performance with readings, songs, and live partisan music
In recent editions, the show was the reading "Eppure era bella la sera" by the Metropopolare company. The title of the 2026 performance will be announced by the organizers.
Highlights 5 Martyrs of Artimino 2026
- Civil ceremony at the memorial plaque of the five martyrs of Artimino
- Musical theatre performance on the memory of the Resistance in Piazza San Carlo
- Live partisan songs and traditional music
- Setting of the hillside village of Artimino, near the Medici Villa "La Ferdinanda"
Prices 5 Martyrs of Artimino 2026
Practical information — 5 Martyrs of Artimino
Location
Piazza San Carlo, Artimino, a hamlet of Carmignano (PO), Tuscany. The village is located on the hills of Montalbano, a short distance from the Medici Villa "La Ferdinanda".
How to get there
By car: From Florence or Prato, reach Carmignano and then follow signs for Artimino and the Medici Villa; parking is available near the village. By train: Carmignano-Comeana or Signa station, then continue by car or local transport.
When
The commemoration is traditionally held around August 6, in the evening (usually meeting around 8:30 PM).
Admission
Free entry.
Tips
Outdoor evening event: comfortable clothing is recommended. You can combine your visit with a day trip to explore Artimino and the Medici Villa.
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Where does it take place — 5 Martyrs of Artimino
Piazza San Carlo, Artimino
Piazza San Carlo, Artimino, 59015 Carmignano