Debela griža (Šmihel)

On the area of Debela Griža rising (275 m), known in Italian as "Il monte San Michele", located on the Doberdo Karst plateau (Carso di Doberdò), remains of the Italian artillery cavern and remains of Austro-Hungarian caverns are visible.

The area of Debela griža (275 m) on the Doberdo Karst was one of the most important strategic points of the Austro-Hungarian defense in the Gorizia bridgehead of the Isonzo Front. The position was primarily defended by Hungarian soldiers (Honvéd) who successfully held the summit despite heavy losses. Today, the fierce fighting between Italians and Hungarians is commemorated by a monument on the summit with the inscription "Here, Italians and Hungarians became brothers in death".

Successful resistance against heavy Italian artillery shelling was made possible by caverns connected by underground tunnels – such as the cavern of General Lukačič, commander of the 20th Honvéd Infantry Division of the Austro-Hungarian Army. General Lukačič used the cavern as a command post. The cave allowed direct contact with the front line and served as a protected connecting tunnel, allowing reserve troops to reach the front positions quickly.

Soldiers of the Italian 3rd Army captured the summit only in August 1916 during the 6th Battle of the Isonzo. During the Austro-Hungarian withdrawal from the Doberdo Karst toward the edge of the Comeno (Komen) Karst, Hungarian troops unexpectedly recaptured the summit for a short time to ensure a safe retreat for the remaining forces. After the final capture of the hill, the Italians excavated a large artillery cavern with six firing lines facing east and two firing lines facing south. This cavern served for a period as the tactical headquarters of the Italian 3rd Army.