In the Cycling Tour, we'll be exploring the area represented in the Montello map. There's a lot of history to be found here, from the very structures that played a role in this battle to the monuments erected in memory della Grande Guerra. Every Friday we'll make a new stop at one of these historic locations until we arrive at our final destination: The Nervesa della Battaglia train station.
Previously: Visiting the Fallen [#5]
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We speed down the hill and end up on a larger road (I hope your breaks work). Taking a left, our stop is just up ahead.
Stop #6: Fontana di Piazza la Piave
We arrive at the central square of Nervesa della Battaglia; probably a familiar name by now, as it's the village we recreated on the Montello map. In fact, you can find this very fountain in game as well!
Nervesa della Battaglia is a village (or comune) with a population of about 6,500. We already mentioned some of its long history while cycling over Montello, but here's a quick rundown.
A brief pre-WW1 history
Based on archeological finds, it's assumed the Romans built a fortress on the site of present-day Nervesa in the first century. The surrounding area was involved in the centuriation of Treviso, a system used to divide land among the Roman populace. Nervesa was first documented by the Holy Roman Empire in 954 as Nervisia and gifted to the Collalto family.
The Second Battle of the Piave
Fast forwarding a bit, we arrive at the latter half of WW1. After the Italian defeat during the Battle of Caporetto, Austro-Hungarian forces pushed across the Piave river in June 1918, in an attempt to create a foothold across the river and eliminate the natural defenses it offered to the Italians. The Austrian forces initially succeeded, but were stopped in their further advances south towards Bavaria (no, not the German state) and Arcade (no, not the game kind) by the Italian counteroffensive. French artillery bombarded the Austro-Hungarians, their walkways across the river as well as Nervesa, forcing them back to the defensive.
After a week of fighting (during which Francesco Baracca was downed), Italian forces got the upperhand and the Austro-Hungarians decided to retreat back across the river. This marked the end of the role Nervesa played in WW1. Hours after the retreat, the Italian King Vittorio Emanuele III visited the village only to find it razed to the ground from the fighting and artillery.
Modern day Nervesa
While not much remained of Nervesa after the war, this wasn't the end of the village (which probably isn't very surprising considering where we are). Its people returned and the population even exceeded pre-war numbers by 1921. Around this time, Nervesa was renamed Nervesa della Battaglia, or "Nervesa of the Battle", referring to the Second Battle of the Piave.
Today, Nervesa della Battaglia is an industrial village supported by the local agricultural sector. In the surrounding industrialized areas of Dus, Bidasio and Foscarini, you'll find producers of everything from concrete to gelato.
The village itself is quite a typical, idyllic Italian comune. Its main attractions are many of the places we've talked about already, like the shrine to Francesco Baracca and the military ossuary. However, it is very beautiful here, so be sure to explore and grab a bite if you're ever nearby visiting the historical landmarks.
Up next
Next time, we wrap up the cycling tour! We'll arrive at our last stop, the old train station of Nervesa della Battaglia. The route we'll take isn't the fastest option, but it allows us to see a bit more of the village.
The route on Google MapsVisit Montello!
The Montello Cycling Tour is a collaboration with local organizations. We'd like to thank them for helping us out with information about the region, the history and photos they provided. If you're interested in visiting the area, please check them out and tell them we sent you!
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For bike renting and a historic tour with possibility for a meal.Bike Rental Montellohttps://aglizattieri.com/ |
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Looking for your next holiday destination?Visit Prosecco Hillshttps://visitproseccohills.it/en |
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Want to learn more about WW1 and the history of the area?Museo della Battaglia di Vittorio VenetoLocation on Google Maps |
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