In 1917, to commemorate the fallen of Caporetto, soldiers built a small chapel under the summit of Pasubio. Driven by the desire to honor the fallen of the I Army, a national committee for the Sacello-Ossario was established, chaired by Generals Guglielmo Pecori Giraldi and Luigi Maglietta. In 1919, architect Chemello offered his design services, and a quarry was later opened at the foot of Monte Cornetto to extract the building stone, with black and gray shades. In 1921, the first 2000 bodies of unknown soldiers who fell on Pasubio were laid to rest in the Sacello, and thereafter, work began on the construction of the monumental tower, which was temporarily halted due to lack of funds but was resumed shortly after thanks to the financial support provided by the "Fondazione 3 novembre," created by General Pecori Giraldi to honor the fallen of the I Army. The monument currently houses the remains of over 5000 soldiers and consists of a central crypt and a circular gallery.
At the base, the tower measures 10.5 meters, and the entire structure is 35 meters tall. Various inscriptions adorn the different sides, including: "Heroes of the First Army, you will shine forever," "The vigilant Pasubio, the undefeated guardians in the shadow of the Cross, sleep in peace."
The access square was designed by architect Vincenzo Bonato from Schio, measuring 40 m in length and 32 m in width. On the south side, there is a staircase leading to the votive chapel, inside which stands a statue of the Immaculate in Carrara marble by Giuseppe Zanetti and decorations by Tito Chini.
It was inaugurated on August 29, 1926, in the presence of many authorities, including King Vittorio Emanuele III. Near the monument, the aforementioned Foundation has set up a war museum, also dedicated to the First Army.
The position of the Pasubio Ossuary is strategic as its silhouette is visible from the entire Vicentine plain.
How to get there: once you arrive at Passo Pian delle Fugazze, take the road leading to Malga Cornetto and continue beyond the fork for Campogrosso.
Travel time from Valli del Pasubio: about 20 minutes; from Rovereto: 45 minutes.
For more information, visit the site http://www.ossariodelpasubio.it/
