Monumento ai caduti (Monument to the Fallen), Como, Italy
Posted by: 
vraatja
N 45° 48.900 E 009° 04.410
32T E 505710 N 5073495
Monumento ai Caduti, a 33 metre tall marble and granite structure on the shore of Lake Como built between 1931-33 as monument over 650 men fallen in the first world war.
Waymark Code: WM9WJN
Location: Lombardia, Italy
Date Posted: 10/06/2010
Views: 13
In the 1930s, the National Fascist Party became a bigger and bigger factor in the political landscape of Italy. Their influence found its expression in modern buildings, in contrast to Nazi Germany which preferred traditional, stately architecture. In 1931, Giuseppe Terragni and his brother were asked by the fascists to design a monument for the victims of World War I. Their design was based on a sketch of the famous Italian futurist
Antonio Sant'Elia, whose sketches showed modernity, dynamics and speed. Most of his designs were never built, but his futurist vision has influenced many architects. Made of Serizzo granite and Nabresina marble, the monument has a surface polished like a mirror and shows that the Terragni brothers have skillfully adapted Sant'Elia's vision.
The names of 650 soldiers who lost their lives in World War 1 are inscribed on this War Memorial. On the north side is a quotation by Sant'Elia, who was killed during the Battles of the Isonzo, near Monfalcone during WW I. - "Either this evening in Trieste, or tomorrow in heaven with the heroes!"
The Memorial is covered with Anzola dioride and Alzo granite monolith and weighs 40,000 kilos.