The Redipuglia (Sredipolje) memorial is the largest Italian war memorial. It rises from the western face of the hillock Griža (Sei Busi) on the Doberdob karst plateau.
During World War I, this hill was bitterly fought over. Although it is relatively low, its summit allows a far-reaching view to the west, extending to the first slopes of the Karst plateau. The sanctuary was completed in 1938 based on the designs of architect Giovanni Greppi and sculptor Giannino Castiglioni.
The monumental terraces, where the tombs of one hundred thousand fallen soldiers are arranged, create an imposing sight. Below them stands the impressive resting place of the Duke of Aosta, commander of the Italian Third Army. The layout gives the impression of a great military force deployed on the battlefield with its leader at its head. Buried here are the remains of 100,187 fallen Italian soldiers.
The name Redipuglia, like many other denominations along the eastern border, is derived from the Slovene etymology "sredi polja" (Sredipolje), which means "in the middle of the field" or "middle land".
See also: Italian ossuary at Kobarid (Caporetto)
Italian memorials of the First World War. Italian Ministry of Defence, 2011 edition.