The San Candido Military Sacrarium, designed by architect Giovanni Greppi and sculptor Giannino Castiglioni, was constructed in 1939 in the meadow valley of San Candido, between the Drava river and the state road leading to the Prato alla Drava border crossing near Bolzano.
The sacrarium takes the form of a circular Roman fortification across two levels. Two coaxial porphyry towers contain the burial niches of the fallen, while a chapel occupies the center of the ground floor. The structure commemorates 228 deceased soldiers: 218 Italian fallen and 10 Austro-Hungarian fallen, transferred from military cemeteries at Bressanone and San Zeno di Montagna. Fourteen of the Italian dead remain unidentified.
About Giovanni Greppi
Giovanni Greppi (1884–1960) was a Milanese architect renowned for designing some of Italy’s most significant military shrines. After graduating from the Brera Academy in 1907, he studied at the École des beaux-arts in Paris from 1908 to 1910. Beyond memorial architecture, he contributed to urban development, including a factory town for Dalmine between 1934 and 1940.
Details
- Architects: Giovanni Greppi and sculptor Giannino Castiglioni
- Year completed: 1939
- Location: San Candido valley, Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige
- Burials: 228 fallen from the First World War, including 14 unidentified
- Style: Circular fortification design with two porphyry towers
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the San Candido Military Sacrarium?
The sacrarium was designed by architect Giovanni Greppi and sculptor Giannino Castiglioni in 1939. Greppi was known throughout his career for designing military shrines across Italy.
How many soldiers are commemorated here?
The sacrarium houses 228 fallen soldiers: 218 Italian and 10 Austro-Hungarian dead from the First World War, transferred from military cemeteries at Bressanone and San Zeno di Montagna. Fourteen of the Italian fallen are unidentified.
What does the building’s design represent?
The sacrarium takes the form of a circular Roman fortification with two levels. Two coaxial porphyry towers contain burial niches, and a chapel sits at the center of the ground floor, combining military and sacred architectural symbolism.
