(ANSA) - TRIESTE - In the 30s, the fascist regime invented a circuit of ''monuments of silence'', from Trento to Rovereto, from Mt Grappa to River Piave, and to Caporetto. A circuit whose fulcrum is Redipuglia, where the forced Italianisation has translated the ancient place name of Sredij polije, 'middle land', at an altitude of 89m of Mt Sei Busi, where, in the Italian and Austrian trenches - a few metre far from each other - many thousands of soldiers died.

Architect Giovanni Greppi and sculptor Giannino Castiglioni, who in 1935 had designed the impressive stone staircase to the Grappa War Memorial, were assigned the task of desining a new project.

Building work started in 1936 and in two years, at high cost in terms of money, the hill was covered with Karst stone. The opening ceremony, on the occasion of Mussolini's visit, was held on September 18, 1938. More than 100 thousand soldiers are buried in Redipuglia cemetery, of which 60,000 have no name.

''Watchful and safe sentry at the frontiers of Italy'', says Duke d'Aosta's tombstone epitaph. A silent and present army because, according to ancient legends, the dead may at any time be called upon to fight again. Someone swore he has heard and seen those soldiers, shadows marching silently into the night.

(ANSA).