The whispering Piave...

Hills surrounded by mountains and covered with beautiful vineyards and trails perfect for bikers and enthusiasts of trekking.

The land of Treviso, also called “Marca gioiosa et amorosa” until the 13th century, is one of the “biggest models of the Italian landscape”. It is the native land of Prosecco wine and the most cycling province of Italy. An ‘outdoor gym’ for all enthusiasts of active holidays by bike and on walk.

Moreover, it is one of the crucial places of the World War I, that involved the Kingdom of Italy for 1250 days: from the 24th of May 1915 to the 4th of November 1918. The northeast side of Italy (from the alpine passes of Lombardy and Alto Adige until Carso isontino), became a huge battlefield. At the center of these battles, there was the region of Veneto and the soldiers of the Royal Italian Army helped by English and French troops, against the Austro-Hungarians.  

As history books explain, the peak of Monte Grappa, the Montello hill and the banks of the Piave river have been some of the bloodiest frontlines, in which took place some famous battles.

Today, to remind those days and those battles there are still the signs around the beautiful landscapes of Treviso. Visit these places is a trip full of emotions, between memory and formation. Discovering them is easy, thanks to itineraries that have been created by the Province of Treviso.  

The first trail goes through the Monte Grappa: on top of its peaks 23.000 soldiers died and the “Battaglia di arresto” (Stopping Battle) took place, marking the beginning of moral revival of the Italian army. 

The route going on top of the mountain (also known by cyclists for the ‘Gran Fondo Pinarello’), is surrounded by chestnuts trees and it goes along artilleries, terraces and tunnel entrances carved into the rock.

To remind those years, in 1935 was built the “Mausoleo di Cima della Grappa”, a mausoleum to honor everyone who died during the World War I, with the mortal remains of 12.615 Italians and more than 10.000 Austro-Hungarians.

The second itinerary goes through the territory of the “Battaglia del Solstizio” (Solstice Battle), in which terrible battles took place from the 15th to the 23rd of June 1918 in particular on the Montello, one of the most famous Treviso’ hills, also very popular among cyclists.

From this unique red-ground hill started the military offensive that prepared the final victory. Here, colossal monuments and ossuaries remind every day the sacrifice of so many people.

That is not all. The paths going up to the hill are named with the names of the heroes of the ‘Battaglia del Solstizio’; in addition, they are the ideal places for cyclists, bikers and excursionists.

All itineraries are mapped for enthusiasts of bicycle and they have different levels, traceable and suitable to everyone, with the opportunity to personalize them. There are also connectors that bring to the closer mountains: they are four and they go along the most important peaks such as Montegrappa, Pianezze, Molinetto della Croda and Cansiglio.

The third path reminds the last moments of the World War I, starting from the 24th of October 1918, when the general offensive of Italy against the Austro-Hungarian army took place. It went down in history as the Vittorio Veneto’s Battle.

The itinerary goes through the territory from the Monte Tomba to Monfenera, and then going along Valdobbiadene until reaching Vittorio Veneto, in which you can admire the “Vittoria Alata” statue, which has been left without head to signify a final victory that cost thousand victims.

The ‘Isola dei Morti’ (Death Island) in the village of Moriago della Battaglia is one of the best places to visit in this area and the main memory place of Arditi troops (a special Italian army division).

Do not miss also the ‘Museo della Battaglia’ (Museum of the Battle) in Vittorio Veneto, that brings together a large amount of war material such as weapons, relics and topographic maps.

Moreover, for enthusiasts of literature and history there is the itinerary that follows the traces of Ernest Hemingway. The great American writer, volunteer of the American Red Cors, arrived in Italy between the end of 1917 and the beginning of 1918. He was wounded the 8th of July in the trench of “Busa de Burato”, close to “Casa Gialla” in Fossalta di Piave (the house that he mentioned in his short story “A Way You’ll Never Be”, and that today is open to visitors).

The writer also lost a friend. During the last months of the war, Allies were engaged on the Piave frontline, which became the defensive bulwark after the defeat of Caporetto. Among them, there was the lieutenant Edward McKey, shot down by a grenade the 16th of June 1918 in Fossalta di Piave.

In Treviso, Hemingway had his hard initiation into war, love and death: the cornerstone of the poetics of his “A Farewell to Arms” novel.

INFO:

www.venetograndeguerra.it/
www.regione.veneto.it
www.itinerarigrandeguerra.it
www.ecomuseograndeguerra.it
www.veneto.to