Castello del Buonconsiglio monumenti e collezioni provinciali
Between Italy and Austria 1
The Buonconsiglio between Italy and Austria - Cesare Battisti and the Trentino irredentism
At the beginning of the century, leading figures of the Trentino social and political world such as Cesare Battisti fully committed themselves to petitioning for irredentism, so that Trento, still under Austrian rule, could become part of the Italian State. During World War I he chose to fight against Austria, preferring to be persecuted as a deserter, than to renounce his political ideals.
The conclusion to the events concerning Cesare Battisti, Fabio Filzi and Damiano Chiesa, who later became heroes of the Trentino irredentism, took place at the Castello del Buonconsiglio that was used as an army barracks at that time.
Battisti, as well as Filzi and Chiesa captured by the Austrian soldiers while they were fighting in the “enemy” lines, were brought to Trento in 1916 to be tried. The trial took place in the Tribunal Hall, the 16th century Stua della Famea, whose aspect changed drastically with the new furnishings, and the Dossi brothers’ frescoed decoration was concealed behind a coat of paint.
After their sentencing, the three irredentists were imprisoned. The prison cells were built in the loggia that had once opened onto the garden of the Magno Palazzo during the Renaissance period.
Battisti’s execution, hung for high treason, and the execution by firing squad of Filzi and Chiesa took place in the moat behind the Castle. In this area, called the Martyrs’ Fosse, next to the irredentists’ three commemorative stones, is an inscription in remembrance of the twenty-one Italians shot during the fight for independence of 1848, and the victims of the Trentino insurrection of that same year.
More information concerning Cesare Battisti, irredentism, and information in general about this period of Trentino history can be found at the Museo Storico in Trento and the Museo Storico delle Truppe Alpine on Doss Trento, where the Mausoleum dedicated to Cesare Battisti was erected.
Of particular note is the “Percorsi battistiani nel Castello” edited by the Museo storico in Trento.