Trieste decided to honor Enzo Cozzolino. This small Belvedere on the Strada Napoleonica became a tribute. It stands opposite the historic climbing routes. Here, Cozzolino pushed his limits.
The city dedicated this spot to the great alpinist. It encourages citizens to love and respect the mountains. The Belvedere Enzo Cozzolino isn’t just any place. It overlooks the significant cliff section above the Strada Napoleonica.
Enzo Cozzolino was a member of the CAI XXX Ottobre section. He died at only 24 on the Torre di Babele in 1972. This was almost a tragic irony. In the late 1960s, experts like Reinhold Messner considered him a pioneer. He was the first in Italy to exceed the seventh grade of difficulty. In Trieste, he was the soul of the city’s mountaineering scene.
The naming ceremony occurred on June 21st. Before that, a conference celebrated Cozzolino and other Trieste alpinists. These included Julius Kugy, Napoleone Cozzi, and Emilio Comici. While they have streets named after them, Cozzolino received the Belvedere. It sits on the Strada Napoleonica. Here, he trained and opened difficult new routes.
Giampaolo Valdevit discussed Cozzolino’s freedom ethic. Luciano Santin saw Cozzolino as an innovator. Mauro Vigini noted how these climbers translated mountain beauty. Flavio Ghio shared a film about Cozzolino. Spiro Dalla Porta Xydias emphasized the importance of recording these stories.
Fabiana Martini spoke at the dedication. She hoped people would ask about Cozzolino. She wanted them to learn his love and respect for nature. Roberto Decarli and Giovanni Barbo suggested the dedication. Stefano Beltrame also supported it.
Cozzolino, nicknamed “Il Grongo,” disappeared in 1972. He was only 24. Messner admired Cozzolino. He was famous for his many routes. He also refused to use pitons extensively.
Born in 1948, Cozzolino started climbing at 17. He quickly became Emilio Comici’s heir. He climbed difficult routes without ropes. His smile and tough character earned him his nickname. Cozzolino’s climbing seemed natural. He quickly became a top climber.
He moved to the Dolomites. There, he opened new routes and repeated extreme climbs. In 1969, he began solo climbing. He repeated challenging routes like the Tissi and the Pisoni. He trained meticulously.
Cozzolino minimized piton use. He favored a harder, riskier style. Messner later adopted this ethic. It promoted cleaner climbing. Cozzolino emphasized athletic skill and purity.
In 1970, he opened a new route with Paolo Rumiz on the Spitz d’Agner. Rumiz praised Cozzolino’s strength and ability to make others feel safe. On the Mangart, he completed a difficult route in 12 hours. In 1971, he opened a route on the Bysazza in 10 hours using only eight pitons.
In 1970, with Luciano Corsi, he made two significant ascents. These were on the South of Punta Chiggiato and on the West face of Agner Nord. He repeated many of Agner’s famous routes.
Cozzolino pushed beyond the existing difficulty scale. He pioneered the seventh grade. With Armando Bernardin, he climbed the Piccolo Mangart with few pitons. He repeated difficult Dolomite routes. He received the Panathlon Sport and Study Award in 1970.
Cozzolino climbed artificial sections in free style. His lightness allowed speed and efficiency. He opened a new route on the Terza Sorella del Sorapiss. He also opened one on the West of the Busazza. In winter 1971, he opened a route on this face with Adelchi Casale.
In winter 1972, he completed the Via dei fachiri with Flavio Ghio. A film was made about this climb. After this, he joined the Alpine military group in Moena.
Cozzolino found freedom in solo climbing. He repeated routes like the Tissi and the Comici. He made the first winter solo ascent of the Pisoni-Stenico. He climbed many routes solo, including the Grossglockner and Mont Blanc du Tacul.
Enzo Cozzolino left a void in Trieste’s climbing world.