The memory of the protection of the Italian historical-artistic heritage among the wounds of the last war

The ongoing conflict in Europe brings to mind the devastating madness of war which manifests itself in the atrocity of death and in the destruction or looting of the historical and artistic heritage, with the intention of erasing the cultural heritage of the attacked populations. During the Second World War there were many examples of individuals or groups of people who, risking their lives or arrest, saved numerous works of art from destruction and looting. This contribution intends to recall two of these events aimed at safeguarding and protecting the Italian artistic heritage. The first, that of the monastic community of Montecassino which managed, with a concerted effort, to save many works kept in the Abbey. The second featured a young woman who with great courage, at the risk of her own life, managed to save many works belonging to the Pinacoteca di Brera which she directed.