Monte Grappa, with its 1,775 meters is the highest peak of the group surrounding it, making up part of the Veneto Prealp region, isolated between the rivers Brenta and Piave.

It's origin dates back about 10 million years resulting from the continuing collision between the African and European continents putting pressure on of the oceans Tetilde and Mesogeo. The collision raised the land and the evacuating waters corroded what is now visible as mountain chains and hilly areas throughout the Italian territory.

Of the past history of the mountain and the origin of its name, which based on historical documents seems to have been changed on numerous occasions, there is little to tell, until in 1901, the Patriarch of Venice, Giuseppe Sarto, before becoming Pope Pio X, came to the mountain to bring and bless the famous Madonnina, which is displayed inside the Sanctuary.

Monte Grappa gained significant importance during the First World War of 1915-1918 when, in 1917 it became the front-line of defense against the Austrian troops who, after the battle of Caporetto, were looking to conquest the river Piave and control the mountain area. It is at this location that the attacks of the Austrian troops began on the 13 November and continued for 10 days, with great losses on both sides of the lines, that they encountered such a strong resistance that resulted, after the battle on the 11th December, in the surrendering of General A. Krauss and his troops and with a counter-attack by the Italians, in the winning back of part of Asolone.

The following spring, the Italian 4th Army, lead initially by General M. Di Robilant and then until the war's end General G. Giardino, suffered a new enemy offensive beginning the night of 15th June 1918. On the same day, the Italian troops counter-attacked, and on the 24 June were able to crush, for the second time and with the help of an Italian counter-offensive at Montello, the Austrian objective of reaching the plain.

The final battle launched by the Italians on Monte Grappa on the 24 October lasted 4 days, during which time the mountain top was won and lost on many occasions. In the end, the Austrians retreated, giving the victory to the Italians.

In memory of the victory, each year on the first Sunday of August, a celebration is held to celebrate the placement of the Madonnina, and in memory of the fallen soldiers.

During the Second World War, and in particular the period from the fall of fascism (25 July 1943) and its' return to power after a few months (8 September), in the Bassano area brigade groups of antifascist partisans were formed and located, in the most part, on the Monte Grappa. From here they were able to control the Valsugana, a communication route for Germany with the nazi forces operating in Italy.

In July 1944, the fascist-nazi regime responded to the partisans by conducting a tragic 'clean up' operation involving 15-20,000 men against the 1,500 partisans. In thier honour, near the Ossarium was placed a bronze statue, the Partison Monument, created by the sculpture Augusto Murer.

THE THREE BATTLES OF GRAPPA

BACKGROUND

With the negative conclusion of the twelfth battle of Isonzo, the collapse of the front-line at Caporetto, and the withdrawl of the Italian troops from the river Piave, in November of 1917, Monte Grappa was the front-line of action in the mountain battles between the river Brenta and the river Piave.

The Italian troops, after a dramatic withdrawl, arrived at the front stressed and exhausted. A disaster was avoided thanks to the strong caracter and experience on the Supreme Comandant, General Luigi Cadorna, who, given the circumstances, knew how to coordinate the fall-back.

Notwithstanding the tiredness and the grave logistical and tactical conditions, the Italian soldiers were able to construct a new defensive barrier capable of stopping the enemy who, given the recent victories, had full intentions of completely destroying the Italian military forces.

In fact, with a conquest of Monte Grappa, the Austrian-Hungarian forces would have been able to attack from the rear, via the Veneto plain, the Italian forces on the river Piave, from Montello to the sea.

Knowing the importance of their role - "Monte Grappa you are my homeland" went the words of their song -, the soldiers of Grappa, at the cost of the highest sacrifice, during the first and the second defensive battle, fought with tenacity for every inch of land that the enemy tried to claim, until they were able to over-ride every offensive and defeat the enemy with the thrid battle of October 1918.

THE 'HALTING' BATTLE

The first defensive batttle - the stopping of the advancing enemy - was fought in 2 phases: from 14 to 26 November, and from 11 to 21 December 1917.

Coming from an attack that was contained on the high plain of Asiago, the Austrian-Hungarian forces, after preparing a large artillery, on the 14th November attacked in force the new Italian front-line, between Cismon and the river Piave; the battle became more relentless and bitter with the enemy using all of its artillery at its disposal: from high caliber granades and flame-throwers to asphyxiating gas. They attacked the mountain from the east and the west only to cumble to the advancing defences suffering large losses.

From the 16 November, included in the battle were Mt. Tomatico, Mt. Roncone and Mt. Prasolan; then, from the 20 November the ridges and highlands that reach to the top of Monte Grappa were involved : Col Caprile, Mt. Pertica, Mt. Fontanasecca, Col della Beretta, Mt. Salarolo, Mt. Spinoncia and Mt. Tomba. All these location names can be read on the inscriptions of the stars that line the path of the Via Eroica del Sacrario. The attacks were repeated many times relentlessly with increasing force, and each time the enemy was held back.

On the 26 November, in a violent battle, the brigade "Aosta", department of the 94° infantry and the alpine battalion "Val Brenta" removed from Col Beretta the Austrian-Hungarian division "Edelweiss" and in this manner terminated the first phase of the 'halting' battle. This was the hardest and the most important phase of the battle as it was won by Italian soldiers not yet fully recovered from the terrible crisis of the withdrawl.

Notwithstanding the ferocious nature of the attacks, with a clear superior force, the enemy was stopped by the desperate heroism of the Italian soldiers. On Grappa, like on the river Piave the Italian soldiers performed feats of valour beyond that thought possible, and was able to block the attempts of the Austrians trying to eliminate the Italian forces.

It was only after this difficult test, verifying the real capacity of the Italian forces, that the troops of the Alliance present in Italy, on the 5 December, setup front-lines from Monfenera to Nervesa with the French XXXI C.A. and the British XIV C.A. With its forces reorganised, on the 11 December the enemy began another offensive action. Once again Col della Beretta, Col dell'Orso, Mt. Spinoncia, Col Caprile and Mt. Asolone are the scenes of the battle.

Notwithstanding the Italian resistance, the enemy was able to take control of the Valderoa and the Asolone, reaching the plain alongside Bassano. Attacks in other areas are nonetheless contained, and ont eh 21 December, the enemy ceases to push forward.

The 'halting' battle was thus won.

THE DEFENSIVE BATTLE

During the winter months the Italian defensive position was reinforced with rock work, trenches, fortified positions and wire, in preparation of future substantial attacks.

The positioning of the Italian troops on Grappa was difficult due to the fact that they were holding on to the mountain areas closest to the falt plains. The situation was such that General Conrad defined the situation as: "that of a shipwreck survivor holding on to a piece of wood, you only need to cut off his fingers to see him drown".

But he had not counted on the tenacity and valour of the Italian soldier.

The famous gallery Vittorio Emanuele III was opened under the top of Monte Grappa, carved from solid rock.

The gallery - a true piece of craftmanship and military engineering - was equiped with artillery positions in the tunnel and offensive outlets for counter attacks.

The enemy plan was to use the 11th army to attack from the high plains and from Grappa, to reach, via the Vicenza plain, the rear of the Italian defense on the river Piave, which the 5th and 6th Austrian-Hungerian army would attack from the front.

The great battle, from Astico to the sea, which was given the name of the Battaglia del Solstizio, began during the night of 15 June 1918. Unexpected, but not unawaited by the supreme command of the Italian forces who, sensing the enemy objective, was able to prepare the forces at the same time that the enemy was preparing its artillery, reducing significantly the attack's destructive effect. On Monte Grappa, in the attack that followed, the Austrians, protected by a thick fog, were able to break through the front lines of the IX C. A. and reached Col del Moins and Col Moschin, pushing forward as far as Ponte San Lorenzo.

Even in the centre, at the section of VI C.A., the enemy attacked Monte Grappa from different directions; on the right, the section of the XVIII Corp., after repeated offensive and defensive attacks was able to consolidate on the front-line Solarolo - Valderoa.

But this position was blocked immediately the day after, the 16 June, and the Italian forces, through attackes and counter-attacks was able to remove the enemy from nearly all conquested positions.

On the base of the Roman column located at Ponte San Lorenzo, the victorious reaction of the Italians is remembered by the inscription: "The enemy arrived to this point and was pushed back for ever the 15 June 1918".

The Supreme Command, in giving his daily briefing and mentioning the heroic actions of the Grappa Army, is quoted as saying on the 18 June: "every soldier, defending Grappa, felt that every tree of the mountain was sacred to the homeland".

The 640 medals of military valour given for that battle, of which 486 given to soldiers, demonstrates his quote. The victorious conclusion of the defensive battle had a determinate effect on the result of the hard war against the Austrian-Hungerian empire.

THE OFFENSIVE BATTLE

The task trusted to the Grappa Army was to break through to the valley Feltrino to facilitate the action of the 8th and 10th Army of Piave towards Vittorio Veneto.

On the morning of the 24 October 1918 - this time started by the Italians - the thrid battle of Grappa began. The battle, preceded by a violent preparation by the Italian artillery, developed on Asolone, Cima Pertica, Osteria del Forcelletto, Prassolan and Valderoa, where there were important successes, despite the defense and repeated counter-attacks by the enemy on the 27 and 28 October, against Pertica and Valderoa.

On the 29 October, the 4th Army, together with the great offensive battle of the river Piave, leaped forward on all fronts, and broke though the enemy lines eliminating any remaining enemy resistence.

At 3pm on the 3 November, hour of the signing of the Armistance, the army reached the lines at Borgo in Val Sugana - Fiera di Primiero in Val Cismon.

The battle is won! The Grappa Army had completed well its objective that it had been intrusted by the homeland.

THE MONUMENT ZONES OF MONTE GRAPPA

Instituted with a legal decree of 29/10/1922, number 1386 and subsequent ministerial decree's of 14/12/1967 and 11/12/1973, the area extends above the altitude of 1,700 meters with the spur of the "Ship". Apart from the sctual Sanctuary, it includes the Gallery of Vittorio Emanuele III, the Caserma Milano and the Casa "Armata del Grappa".

GALLERY VITTORIO EMANUELE III

This piece of work is a grand example of military fortification, completed in 10 months from November 1917. Planned by Col. del Genio Nicola Gavotti for increasing the defence of the mountain area of Grappa.

It is composed of about 5 Km of tunnels with the main tunnel running for about 1500 meters, from which run off numerous secondary tunnels leading to artillery positions, observatory points, and positions designed for counter-offensives.

The gallery, carved under the mountain summit, is 3 meters high and between 1.8 and 2.5 meters in width. Removal of about 40,000 cubic meters of stone using 24 drilling machines was necessary in its construction. It was armed and equiped with technical and logistical supplies to permit the soldiers (about 15,000 men with 72 cannons and 70 machine guns) to live and combat inside for long periods.

The defensive nature of the gallery proved its efficiency with control of the mountain being assured during the second the third battles of Monte Grappa. Beside the entrance to the gallery is a memorial stone placed in memory of the partisan soldiers that lost their lives on Monte Grappa during 1943-1945.

THE CADORNA ROAD

The Cadorna road is one of the major military works in the area: from Bassano, via Osteria del Campo, it permits rapid access to the top of Monte Grappa at 1,776 meters. It was constructed in 1916 by the General of whom it is named after. It proved to be of strategic importance in the organisation and logistics involved in defending the entire mountain area around Monte Grappa.

CASERMA MILANO - MILANO MILITARY BARRACKS

Built during the war to house the personal working on the road and military fortifications on Monte Grappa.

Placed on the rock base, it allowed the occupants access directly to the gallery Vittorio Emanuele via an underground passage. It now houses an historical museum.

In a building adjacent to the Milano barracks, at regular intervals or upon request by groups, free screenings are offered documenting the era of the war in the mountains during 1915-1918.

CASA ARMATA DEL GRAPPA - ARMOURED HOUSE OF GRAPPA AND THE BASSANO REFUGE

The large refuge built on Monte Grappa includes a bar, restaurant and public dining room. Telephone 0423-53101.

THE SANCTUARY

Presenting itself on the peak of Monte Grappa at an altitude of 1,776m above sea level. The entire construction adapts, in both design and size, with the natural contours of the top of the mountain.

Built in 1935, based on a project by the architect Giovanni Greppi and by the sculpturer Giannino Castiglioni. The architecture, inspired by the art of military fortifications, displays its massive geometric shapes rising to the sky.

The centre of the monument, where the remains of 12,615 fallen soldiers are buried, of which 10,332 are 'unknown', is made up of 5 concentric circular forms, forming a cone shape; each circular wall is 4m high and surrounded by a circular levels 10m wide.

The remains of the identifed 2,283 fallen soldiers are held in alphabetic order within loculi covered with a bronze plate, each loculi has the name and military decoration assigned to the fallen soldier inscribed on the plate.

The remains of the 10,332 fallen unknown soldiers are held in larger, comunal urns, alternating between the single tombs. The five circular forms are connected by a large platform forming the centre of five access ramps that, from the base of the monument, takes you to the summit, where the Sanctuary of the Madonnina del Grappa is located.

From the area around the temple, like a white carpet of stone carved from Grappa, the Via Eroica, for about 250m, makes its way to the Portale Roma between two rows of stone blocks, each carved with the names of the locations where the most noted battles held on Grappa took place.

Between the 4th and 5th circular levels, in a central position at the point where the large steps lead to the top of the monument, is found the resting place of the Maresciallo d'Italia Gaetano Giardino, who before dying in 1935, asked to be buried on the mountain amongst his soldiers of the 4th Army, who are known as the "ARMY OF GRAPPA".

THE MADONNINA OF GRAPPA

On the last level, reachable from the 4th level viathe steps that pass around the tomb of Maresciallo Giardino, is located a circular structure topped by a metal dome and a large cross made of stainless steel.

Inside the chapel, raised to a Sanctuary, is held the statue of the Madonnina del Grappa which is linked to a story from the war which tells of how it was mutilated by an enemy granade in January 1918.

The sacred effigy was blessed in 1901 by Cardinal Sarto, and then by Pope Pio X. It is particularly held in respect by the alpini soldiers and inhabitants of the local area, and is now a location for pilgrimage every year on the first Sunday of August.

THE ROMAN PORTAL AND OBSERVATORY

At the end of the Via Eroica rises a large construction made of huge blocks of stone, which on the higher section reproduces the form of a colossal sarcophagus.

It was designed and built by the architect Alessandro Limongelli and was offered by the city of Rome as a principal entry gate during the development of the Sanctuary. In its current location the structure rests as an historical monument.

The Observatory was built above the Roman Portal and access is gained via the vast level behind the structure and via an internal stair-well. The view from the terrace plays out over the vast panorama where important historical points can be located using the bronze planimetry which indicates the exact direction of each point.

AUSTRIAN-HUNGERIAN SECTION

In a section to the north-east of the Roman Portal, the remains of 10,295 fallen Austrian-Hungerian soldiers have been laid to rest.

The layout of the loculi of the 295 identified soldiers, on two levels, is similar to that of the Italians. The remains of the 10,000 'unknown' soldiers have been placed in two large urns on either side of the central chapel.