| abstract
| - A "safe zone" is where humans and Visitors can walk freely without being harmed.
- The attacking armies of the opposing military will then be expected not to bomb or otherwise attack the city, but simply to march in. The concept aims at protecting the historic landmarks and civilians who dwell in the city from an unnecessary battle. Attacking forces do not always respect the declaration of an "open city." Defensive forces will use it as a political tactic as well. In some cases, the declaration of a city to be "open" is made by a side which is on the verge of defeat and surrender; in other cases, those making such a declaration are willing and able to fight on, but prefer that the specific city be spared. Several cities were declared open during World War II:
* Brussels in 1940
* Oslo in 1940
* Paris in 1940, from which the French Government fled after it became apparent that they could not defend it
* Belgrade in April 1941
* Penang in December 1941, after the British retreated to Singapore
* Manila in 1941, which the American military abandoned during the Japanese invasion.
* Rome on 14 August 1943, which the defending Italian forces declared unilaterally to be an "open city" following the cessation of Allied bombing. This applied when under attack by the Germans; subsequently Allied forces entered Rome in June 1944 and retreating German forces also declared Florence and Chieti on 24 March 1944 "open cities".
* Athens on 11 October 1944, which was declared an open city by the Germans.
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![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)