Monte Grappa war memorial, Military memorial and cemetery in Pieve del Grappa, Italy
The Monte Grappa war memorial is a military monument and cemetery on the summit of the mountain of the same name in Treviso province, roughly 60 kilometers northwest of Venice. The complex consists of five concentric circular terraces of white stone that arrange themselves around a central crypt with a chapel above.
The shrine was built between 1932 and 1935 at the initiative of General Gaetano Giardino to honor the Italian and Austro-Hungarian soldiers who died during the fighting on Monte Grappa in World War I. The site holds the remains of more than 22,000 fallen from both armies who were buried on the mountain and in the surrounding war zones.
The shrine on the summit combines a church building, a military cemetery and a chapel within a single sprawling structure of pale stone. Visitors move between tunnels and terraces that still reflect the weight of the fighting that took place here between 1917 and 1918.
The approach follows winding mountain roads that may close in winter due to snow and ice. Those arriving on foot should wear sturdy shoes, as some paths are uneven and the altitude can make breathing more labored.
General Giardino, who commanded the Italian army on the Grappa during the battle, deliberately chose a spot between the terraces to rest beside his soldiers. His grave lies away from the central axis, almost hidden among the rows of names on the stone walls.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
