The Italian Military Shrine at El Alamein lies about ten kilometres west of the town of El Alamein. The entrance to the Shrine, seen here, lies directly on the northern side of the main Alexandria-Marsa Matrouh Road. From the entrance gates, there is a 400 metre walk uphill to the main Shrine, whilst a small military museum lies close to the entrance. The Shrine is dedicated to the 4800 Italian soldiers, sailors and airmen who are buried in the area, in addition to approximately 38,000 service personnel who are recorded as missing in the area.
The geographically position of the Shrine is also of historical significance. As a height overlooking much of the area to the south, Trig 33 was a key location in the fighting around El Alamein in 1942.
Commemoration services are held in this cemetery every three years. In the intervening years services are held at the nearby German or British cemeteries.
Image: The entrance to the Italian Military Shrine
Creator: Christopher Karykides