Doesn’t the Colonna della Dea Vittoria command an impressive view? The Colonna della Dea Vittoria stands as a symbol of Trieste. It commemorates those who died at sea during World War I.
The idea for the Colonna della Dea Vittoria came from Arduino Berlam. He wanted to honor the fallen and guide ships at night. Construction started in 1923 and finished in 1927. King Vittorio Emanuele III attended the inauguration.
The Colonna della Dea Vittoria sits on Poggio di Gretta. This is 60 meters above sea level. It incorporates the old Austrian Fort Kressich. The fort was built in 1854. It was an important defense structure.
The Colonna della Dea Vittoria has great symbolic meaning. The upper part uses stone from Orsera. The lower part uses stone from Gabria. The top of the column holds a bronze and crystal lantern. Above the lantern is the statue of Winged Victory.
Giovanni Mayer created the Winged Victory statue. It is 7.20 meters tall. It is made of copper. The statue holds a laurel branch and raises a torch. The wings have openings to resist the bora wind. A steel tube supports the statue. This makes it resistant to the weather.
At the base of the Colonna della Dea Vittoria is the statue of the Unknown Seaman. Giovanni Meyer also designed this. Regolo Salandini helped create it. The statue is 8.60 meters high. It shows a sailor wearing a Royal Navy hat and boots.
The anchor of the destroyer Audace sits at the base. It marks the first Italian ship to enter Trieste in 1918. The inscription reads: “Hallowed before any other by the waters of the redeemed gem, on November 3, 1918.”
An inscription on the Colonna della Dea Vittoria reads: “Shine and recall the Fallen at sea 1915-1918.” This reminds us the tower honors those lost at sea. Two ammunitions from the Austro-Hungarian battleship Viribus Unitis are displayed.
The Colonna della Dea Vittoria is 67.85 meters tall. The lighthouse is 128.85 meters above sea level. The light has a brightness of 1,250,000 candles. It can be seen for 35 miles. The total weight of the structure is 8,000 tons.
The Colonna della Dea Vittoria is a major national monument. It offers a panoramic view of Trieste. The Italian Navy owns the lighthouse. It is open to the public through an agreement with the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia. The Colonna della Dea Vittoria serves as a reminder of the past. It also guides sailors in the Gulf of Trieste. It stands tall as a symbol of hope and remembrance.