Colle S. Stefano and the Garibaldi Museum

An interesting itinerary to discover important events that characterize the history of Bezzecca during the third indipendence war and WWI.

From the church square you go up to the "S. Stefano Hill", where a homonymous small church rises. It has been built in 1521 and restored in 1895 after being ruined during the Garibaldi battles of 1866. Today is an ossuary monument under the protection of the Ministry of Defense. Inside the church, in front of the altar, there is the monument for the Unknown Warrior.
Going on toward "Doss de CerÏ", you find a big inscribed tablet with the dedication "Memory of the fallen, who, as volunteer soldiers, fought for their fatherland, 21st July 1866", erected on the rock by the Garibaldi followers, a short time later the battle, to remember the dead companions. The 31st October 1866 the Austrian regained possession of Bezzecca and threw down the hill the tablet, which has been put back in its place only the 21st July 1919. Forward, on the top of the hill, is located a big white cross erected by the Austrian in 1896 to remember the Austrian and Italian fallen, thirty years after the battle of Bezzecca.
On and around the hill, it is possible to go through the Italian trenches of the First World War. Along this way there are a lot of tablets and monuments that remember the Garibaldi followers and the First World War.
When you go down to the village, you find, on the left, the "Lamarmora trench-gallery" built in 1916 by the 7&Mac176; Bersaglieri Regiment as shelter for the troops that defended the position. Over the entrance you see a slab of marble with the bust of Federico Guella, medal for military valour in the First World War.
In the village you stop for a while in the "Obbedisco" square, theatre of the fights with naked steel of the 21st July 1866. The tradition tells that the famous telegram of Garibaldi, replying the order of La Marmora to leave Trentino, has been sent from here. In this square there is the tablet in memory of the Garibaldi follower Giovanni Chiassi, dead during the fight. To Federico Guella, volunteer of the Italian army, has been dedicated a tablet first located on his native house and then moved to the hill. The last stage is the Garibaldi museum.

OPENING HOURS:

MUSEO GARIBALDINO (15 June - 30 September): open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10-13 and from 14,30-19;

COLLE SANTO STEFANO (1 May - 30 September): open every day from 10-13 and from 15-18;

for more information and guided visits: tel. +39 0464 508182 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +39 0464 508182      end_of_the_skype_highlighting