The Cappelli and Mencattelli memorial stones are located in the Monticchiello territory and are important symbols in honour of the Resistance Movement, linked to the Battle of Monticchiello on 6 April 1944, commemorated every year with civilian demonstrations in the village.
Marino Cappelli and Mario Mencattelli were the only two who died in that battle, which ended with the victory of the local partisans.
Marino Cappelli memorial stone
The memorial stone is dedicated to Marino Cappelli, a young partisan who died at just nineteen years of age during the events of 6 April 1944. He was captured by fascist soldiers in the locality of Nano and was killed because he refused to kiss the photograph of Benito Mussolini.
The memorial stone is located in the open countryside, near the Capriola farm, at the very site of his execution. You can get to it along the unpaved road that connects Monticchiello to Montepulciano, running along the car park and the cemetery; it is about one kilometre after the junction for the Capraccioni and Bagnolo farms.
The inscription on the memorial stone reads:
“To Marino Cappelli, son of the people, who died here for freedom.
Battle of Monticchiello, Holy Thursday 1944”.
Marino Cappelli was awarded the Bronze Medal of Military Valour for his sacrifice. His body rests in the cemetery of the Sanctuary of Sant’Agnese in Montepulciano.
His name is also remembered on various commemorative plaques: in Montepulciano, in Pienza (in the gardens of Piazza Dante Alighieri, at the War Memorial, with a plaque placed there on 4 April 1948) and in the historic centre of Monticchiello, where he is commemorated along with Mario Mencattelli.
One of the main roads in the village, that connecting the historic village to the more recently built area, is also dedicated to Marino Cappelli.
Mario Mencattelli memorial stone
The memorial stone is dedicated to Mario Mencattelli, who was known as “Fulmine” (Lightening) and belonged to the “Amiata” partisan group. He was a baker’s assistant and died at just twenty years of age during the Battle of Monticchiello on 6 April 1944.
The stone is located in the open countryside, in the very place in which this partisan was shot dead. You can get to it along the unpaved road that connects Monticchiello to Pienza, named Via Sette Aprile, which runs along the sports ground. The memorial stone is located near the Santa Maria farm, near a cypress tree, within a small area enclosed by a wall made from blocks of stone with a metal fence and access via a wrought-iron gate.
The monument consists of a simple rectangular slab of marble, embedded in a stone base.
The inscription reads:
“To Mario Mencatelli, son of the people, who died here for freedom.
Battle of Monticchiello, Holy Thursday 1944”.
During the conflict, when the group he was coordinating ran out of ammunition, Mario Mencattelli volunteered to reach the battalion command to get more munitions for his comrades. He succeeded in the undertaking, but was shot dead during his return journey.
He was awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valour for his sacrifice. His body rests in the cemetery of Santa Chiara in Montepulciano.
Along with that of Marino Cappelli and other fallen partisans, his name appears on the plaque placed on 4 April 1948 in the gardens of Piazza Dante Alighieri in Pienza, at the War Memorial.
Another commemorative plaque is located in the historic centre of Monticchiello, on a building that looks out onto Piazza della Vittoria.
Commemoration of the Battle of Monticchiello
On 6 April 1944, Monticchiello was the scene of a fierce conflict between local partisans and fascist forces. Despite the losses, the population managed to avoid mass retaliation. This episode is also commemorated by the Monumento per la Strage Evitata (Monument to the Avoided Massacre), created by Emo Formichi and located near the walls at Porta Sant’Agata. Every year, around 6 April, the Marino Cappelli e Mario Mencattelli memorial stones are the focus of commemorative ceremonies attended by citizens, by the Municipal Authority and by ANPI (National Association of Italian Partisans), as a sign of civil, historical and identity-based remembrance of the community.
