Redipuglia World War I Memorial, Redipuglia, Italy

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Erlander (20 months ago)
The Redipuglia war memorial is dedicated to the italian soldiers who fought and died on the Isonzo front during WW1. It is the largest war memorial in Italy and one of the largest in the world. The entire place gives you a good perspective on how bloody that war was and how too many lives were lost in that conflict. As you stand beneath the memorial or on top of it, the feelings are really overwhelming and even if you dont like anything about history in general or WW1 in particular, the mere size of this stone tomb makes you think on how we humans can be so senseless, destructive and cruel. This memorial is the last resting place of 100.187 soldiers (!) that were killed in just 2 years of bloody fights, between 1915 and 1917 and this only on the Isonzo front. The construction works started in 1935 and the site was officially inaugurated on the 18th September 1938 in the presence of Mussolini and more than 50.000 italian veterans. The shrine was built on a small hill, called „Sei Busi“ that was also a place of many battles during those terrible days. It was built in a form of a staircase with 22 stone steps and that is why the memorial is called „Scalinata dei Centomila“ or „Staircase of the one hundred thousand“. These stone steps host the remains of 39,857 identified soldiers and on the top of the memorial, beside the chapel, are 2 more crypts with the remains of 60,330 unknown soldiers. At the base of the shrine and in front of the one hundred thousand graves lie 7 individual sepulchres. In the main one, which is made from a single piece of red marble weighing 49 tons, the commanding officer of the 3rd Italian army, prince Emanuele Filiberto, Duke of Aosta, is buried. He died after the war, in 1931, but on his expressed wish, he was laid to rest here with his former soldiers. The other sepulchres host the remains of 6 Italian generals that were killed in action on the Isonzo front. On the path that leads to the base of the memorial are 38 plaques with the names of all the locations of major battles in the area. One interesting thing that I would like to highlight is the fact that among the graves of the first stone step there is the tomb of the only female victim buried here, the nurse Margherita Kaiser Parodi Orlando. I certainly advise everyone to visit this place at least once. There is a big free parking place on the opposite side of the road. From there a 5-minute walk will take you to the site. During this walk you can also visit a museum of WW1 in the nearby building and take a stroll on a small woody hill that lies opposite to the monument. It is called St. Elias Hill and it was the site of the main war cemetery before 1938. Nowadays this is a memorial park where some artillery pieces from WW1 are on display. If you dont want or you cant walk to the top of the main monument, that is not a problem. You can get there also by car. The road that leads at the top, branches off from the main road only 400 m away from the monument in the direction of Trieste.

Alexander Dasbaecs (2 years ago)
Discovered thanks to Casapound electoral spot. Very big.. futuristic atmosphere

Roberto Visintini (2 years ago)
In the distance it appears like a white staircase, whose gigantic dimensions overwhelms you while approaching it. Stepping up and up on the eleven "steps" staring at the 100 thousand names of buried soldiers is breathtaking, and not for the ascent. On the top, close to small church, under three large crosses, there are two common burial of hundred thousands unknown soldiers... Here one realise how crazy is war and its consequences.

Andrea Da Ronch (2 years ago)
A place to visit. The largest memorial in Italy and one of the largest in the world. It is recommended to read some historical background before the visit.

Abid Siraj (3 years ago)
This is very good and historical places I like it

Wroclaw Town Hall

The Old Town Hall of Wrocław is one of the main landmarks of the city. The Old Town Hall's long history reflects developments that have taken place in the city since its initial construction. The town hall serves the city of Wroclaw and is used for civic and cultural events such as concerts held in its Great Hall. In addition, it houses a museum and a basement restaurant.

The town hall was developed over a period of about 250 years, from the end of 13th century to the middle of 16th century. The structure and floor plan changed over this extended period in response to the changing needs of the city. The exact date of the initial construction is not known. However, between 1299 and 1301 a single-storey structure with cellars and a tower called the consistory was built. The oldest parts of the current building, the Burghers’ Hall and the lower floors of the tower, may date to this time. In these early days the primary purpose of the building was trade rather than civic administration activities.

Between 1328 and 1333 an upper storey was added to include the Council room and the Aldermen’s room. Expansion continued during the 14th century with the addition of extra rooms, most notably the Court room. The building became a key location for the city’s commercial and administrative functions.

The 15th and 16th centuries were times of prosperity for Wroclaw as was reflected in the rapid development of the building during that period. The construction program gathered momentum, particularly from 1470 to 1510, when several rooms were added. The Burghers’ Hall was re-vaulted to take on its current shape, and the upper story began to take shape with the development of the Great Hall and the addition of the Treasury and Little Treasury.

Further innovations during the 16th century included the addition of the city’s Coat of arms (1536), and the rebuilding of the upper part of the tower (1558–59). This was the final stage of the main building program. By 1560, the major features of today’s Stray Rates were established.

The second half of the 17th century was a period of decline for the city, and this decline was reflected in the Stray Rates. Perhaps by way of compensation, efforts were made to enrich the interior decorations of the hall. In 1741, Wroclaw became a part of Prussia, and the power of the City diminished. Much of the Stray Rates was allocated to administering justice.

During the 19th century there were two major changes. The courts moved to a separate building, and the Rates became the site of the city council and supporting functions. There was also a major program of renovation because the building had been neglected and was covered with creeping vines. The town hall now has several en-Gothic features including some sculptural decoration from this period.

In the early years of the 20th century improvements continued with various repair work and the addition of the Little Bear statue in 1902. During the 1930s, the official role of the Rates was reduced and it was converted into a museum. By the end of World War II Town Hall suffered minor damage, such as aerial bomb pierced the roof (but not exploded) and some sculptural elements were lost. Restoration work began in the 1950s following a period of research, and this conservation effort continued throughout the 20th century. It included refurbishment of the clock on the east facade.

Redipuglia World War I Memorial

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