The Bagni di Lucca area played an important role in Tuscany during the war: it was located just behind the front line, which by mid-July 1944 ran along the Arno River, and near the Gothic Line, where the Nazis settled after September. 

During the summer, partisan formations intensified their attacks against the occupiers. Several detachments of the National Liberation Army XI Zone (Esercito di Liberazione Nazionale XI Zona) operated here under the command of Manrico Ducceschi. The German forces responded with raids and executions. 

On 14 July, some Wehrmacht (united armed forces of Nazi Germany) units conducted a raid on the village of Montefegatesi. About 100 men were gathered in the main square; three of them, partisans, were killed following the testimony of some spies. On 18 July, most of those rounded up were transferred north and forced to work on the construction and fortification of the Gothic Line. Another thirteen men, identified as partisans, were murdered: eight at Ponte a Serraglio and five at Fegana

At Ponte a Serraglio, a monument was erected in memory of the eight partisans at the cemetery, at the site of the execution. On the wall adjacent to the monument, eight rectangular marble plaques are displayed. Each bears the first and last name of a fallen partisan, along with their personal details. In three cases, their military rank is also indicated.