Menton commemorates heroes of the Battle of Lepanto – A legacy lives on!

Menton commemorates heroes of the Battle of Lepanto – A legacy lives on!

On October 4, 2025, a moving memorial service took place at Place Fontana in the charming town of Menton. This event honored the memory of eight Mentonai sailors who lost their lives on October 7, 1571 during the legendary Battle of Lepanto. The city of Menton and the Mentan Terra Mia association invited together, thereby building a bridge to an important part of local history.

In the summer of 1571, fourteen Mentonai sailors boarded the GalerenLa CaptainaandLa Patronaat sea. These two ships proudly carried the banners of the Grimaldi of Genoa, while Giacomo Laurenti and Laurenzo Rossi stood at their command bridge. The dramatic battle, which took place in the Gulf of Patras, was part of the Fourth Venetian-Ottoman War and pitted the Ottoman fleet under Sultan Selim II against the Holy League - an alliance of Venetian, Spanish, Genoese, Papal, Maltese and Savoyard ships. In the end, the Holy League triumphed, which made the Ottomans no longer appear invincible in the world's perception.

An impressive ceremony

At the commemoration, those present laid two wreaths at the foot of the memorial, including one from the mayor of the city and president of the Community of the French Riviera. Local government representatives as well as members of Mentan Terra Mia and the folk group La Mentonnaise were present to jointly commemorate the fallen sailors. It was an impressive ceremony that embodied not only the sadness but also the proud spirit of the Mentonai community.

Of the fourteen sailors who once went to battle, only six returned to Menton. These survivors brought with them not only memories, but also two Turkish lances and a flag, the pole of which now serves as a processional cross in the Basilica of Saint-Michel Archange. The memorial, which was unveiled in 2018, features the Grimaldi coat of arms, an engraving from a 16th-century merchant galley and the names of the eight fallen soldiers, all of whom are remembered by the brave men.

Preserving an important part of history

Since 2022, the Mentan Terra Mia association has been committed to commemorating this important event and preserving part of Mentonai's history. Auguste Maccari, the president of Mentan Terra Mia, also spoke during the ceremony about the recent inauguration of a restored fishing barque (goussou), which was handed over to the community on July 5th. Thanks to the Mentonian entrepreneur Cédric Imperato, the barque in Vintimille was purchased and lovingly restored.

The Bedonia stone memorial that adorns the city of Menton commemorates not only the fallen sailors, but also the important battle that took place in the Ionian Sea near Lepanto on October 7, 1571. This battle is considered the largest naval battle since that of Actium and marked a turning point as it significantly weakened the Ottoman Empire's dominance in the Mediterranean. Over 30,000 dead and more than 90 ships sunk on the Ottoman side made the defeat overwhelming for the Ottomans. Such a massive loss caused the myth of the invincible to crumble.

Every year the anniversary of the battle is celebrated in different countries and remains part of the collective memory. In Menton, the well-maintained memorial reminds us of the past and lets history live on. The commitment of the city and the Mentan Terra Mia association shows that even today they still have a good knack for keeping local traditions and historical heritage alive and valuing them.

For more information about the Battle of Lepanto and its historical significance you can also visit Menton and Fondation IPH or the View Wikipedia page to better understand the dimensions and impact of this historical conflict.