The Military Sacrarium Redipuglia holds the remains of more than 100,000 soldiers who died during World War I. The sanctuary is located near Redipuglia, Italy, about an hour's drive from Aviano Air Base. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
The Military Sacrarium Redipuglia holds the remains of more than 100,000 soldiers who died during World War I. The sanctuary is located near Redipuglia, Italy, about an hour's drive from Aviano Air Base. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
The Military Sacrarium Redipuglia, as seen from one of the hardened World War I bunkers, was completed in 1938 and holds the remains of more than 100,000 soldiers who died during the war. The sanctuary is located near Redipuglia, Italy. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
Walls at the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia in Italy, about an hour's drive from Aviano Air Base, hold the names of nearly 40,000 soldiers who were among those who died there during World War I. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
The Duke of Aosta's tomb leads the burial places of five generals who died during World War I. The Duke died in 1931, but requested to be buried near the soldiers with whom he served. More than 100,000 soldiers are buried at the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia, near Redipuglia, Italy. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
Atop the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia is a church that is still used occasionally. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
Two cannons flank the way to an observatory behind the chapel at the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
A bronze map of the area surrounding the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia near Aviano Air Base, Italy, helps visitors get their bearings. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
The back view of the chapel on top of the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia, which holds the remains of more than 100,000 soldiers who died during World War I. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
A machine-gun bunker is the center piece of a room in the museum at the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia. Other World War I items on display include weapons, uniforms, and awards and citations soldiers received. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
Tombstones and military equipment line paths throughout Remembrance Park at the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia, located near Redipuglia, Italy, and an hour's drive from Aviano Air Base. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
Military weaponry and equipment line paths throughout Remembrance Park at the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia in Italy. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
In addition to military equipment and weaponry, Remembrance Park holds a World War I-era trench. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
Military equipment and equipment, along with tombstones, dot the paths throughout Remembrance Park at the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia, near Redipuglia, Italy. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
A small boat is among many pieces of military equipment exhibited at the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia in Italy. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
One of many monuments at the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia, near Redipuglia, Italy. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
Tombstones and military equipment line paths throughout Remembrance Park at the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
A total of 36 tombstones line paths throughout Remembrance Park at the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia, near Redipuglia, Italy. Poems, in Italian, decorate many of the tombstones. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
Military items decorate the tomb of an unknown soldier at the Military Sacrarium Redipuglia's Remembrance Park. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
The tombstone of a member of Italy's Alpini, or mountain infantry corps, lies among other memorials at Remembrance Park. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
A monumental display of history outside of Redipuglia, Italy, is more than just a climb up Monte Sei Busi; it’s a bitter reminder of the Great War.
The Military Sacrarium Redipuglia is about an hour’s drive from Aviano Air Base. Its grand steps symbolize the hard-fought battles soldiers endured during World War I to maintain control of the mountain’s summit. Inscribed on plaques are the names of places considered to be the worst battles fought.
The military shrine, completed in 1938, is said to be the largest World War I shrine in Italy. Steps leading up the mountainside hug the edges of 22 terraces that contain the remains of more than 100,000 soldiers.
Near the bottom, the tomb of the duke of Aosta leads tombs of five generals, with the names of nearly 40,000 soldiers filling walls directly behind them. On the top terrace, two tombs flank a chapel honoring the more than 60,000 unknown soldiers.
At the base of the shrine are a few of the hardened trenches used to defend the area from attackers.
The view of the shrine from within the bunkers is disheartening and, at the same time, uplifting — so many individuals were willing to sacrifice and others willing to forever remember each soldier’s bravery.
Church bells ring loudly and clearly at the shrine’s uppermost terrace. Just behind the church, which is still used occasionally today, an observatory contains a bronze map of the region surrounding the shrine. The names of cities accompanied by arrows surround the map, allowing visitors the opportunity to associate themselves with their surroundings.
After climbing down the terraces and crossing the street, you’ll find yourself at the entrance to the “House of the Third Army,” which is named after the Third Army and was commanded by the duke of Aosta during the war. Inside, a free museum contains artifacts and images from the early 1900s. English-language pamphlets help guide you through the museum.
Weapons, uniforms, a machine-gun bunker, and awards and citations soldiers received are among the items displayed.
The original memorial, finished in 1923, is near the museum and held the remains of 30,000 soldiers. Artillery rounds, cannons and benches make up the sanctuary, which is surrounded by cypress trees. An old Roman column from the ancient city of Aquileia is the centerpiece.
Throughout the serene park re-created tombstones bear poetry in Italian and the tools and equipment used by the soldiers.
Take a moment to translate some of the poems as you take in a part of history in Italy.
The Military Sacrarium RedipugliaAddress: Via Terza Armata, I-34070, Fogliano Redipuglia (Gorizia), Italy.
Times: The museum is open 9 a.m. to noon and 2-5 p.m.; closed Mondays; open Sundays only from April to September. The coffee shop is open 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Costs: The open air museum, Remembrance Park and enclosed museum are all free.
Food:Light snacks are available at the museum’s coffee shop.
Information: Telephone: Friuli Venezia Giulia Tourism Office (+39) 0431-387130 or 0431-387111; website: www.turismofvg.it/Monuments-and-historical-sites/Military-Sacrarium-Redipuglia.
