Alpini Memorial

This attractive small chapel, in a well kept garden, near the top of a hill in Coreglia Antelminelli is a monument to the fallen members of the Coreglia group of the local Alpini regiment. When the Italian state was unified in 1861 fears of the vulnerability of its northern borders resulted in the formation of a number of regiments of specialized mountain troops.

Unlike other units in the Italian Army these Alpini regiments were recruited locally and the groupings of locals were maintained so that local knowledge of the mountains would give them an advantage and the local connection between the members would generate a valunable espirit de corps.

Almost from their conception the Alpini were used in overseas campaigns in mountainous regions.  However it was arguably at home, in WW1, that these units saw their finest hour, defending the borders against Austria, the previous occupier of the region, as well as against the German Alpencorps, in what became known as "the War of Snow and Ice".In this conflict they suffered 120, 000 killed out of 400,000 Alpini involved.

This monument lists the names, and sometimes gives photographs of all the local  Alpini that fell in conflicts from the start of the regiment in the late 19th century. It is built from local stone with an iron gate at one  end and a decorative glazed panel at the other. Inside the names of the fallen are inscribed on white marble panels.

The shrine, overlooking a tranquil valley and tucked below the walls of historic fortifications on the hilltop,  features a small tower with a green, glazed, top featuring a gold star. This is reminiscent of  the starred green collar flash of the Italian alpine troops. This coloration is also mirrored in green plasterwork inside and outside the shrine. Just outside the building is a modern sculpture showing two soldiers, one on lookout and one climbing which merge together to give a great overall effect. There is also a cairn of rocks with a small model of a cannon.

Such monuments are not uncommon in the mountain regions of Italy but this one is a very attractive example. If you are fond of modern art even a visit just to see the, very fine, sculpture would be worthwhile.

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