Pamätník francúzskym partizánom Strečno

The Pamätník francúzskym partizánom Strečno is a travertine stone memorial standing on Zvonica hill, designed by architects Ladislav Beisetzer and Ladislav Snopek. A crypt beneath the structure contains the remains of 24 partisans.

In autumn 1944, 52 French partisans led by Captain Georges de Lannurien fought alongside Slovak insurgents against German forces in the strategic Vah river gap. This combat was part of the armed resistance against occupation during World War II.

The memorial bears the names of the French fighters and serves as a gathering place for annual ceremonies attended by French diplomatic representatives. This role connects the two nations and keeps alive the memory of their shared resistance during wartime.

The memorial can be visited without entrance fees and sits in a setting between the Vah river and nearby mountains. Detailed information about the site and its history is available at the Tourist Information Office in Zilina.

The memorial stands at a strategic location between the Vah river and the Mala Fatra mountains, which underscores the importance of this battlefield. This setting allows visitors to understand the landscape that once shaped the fighting.