Monument to 616 partisans, mostly Slovenian, to be built in Gorizia

Gorizia, Italy, is preparing to erect a monument dedicated to 616 partisans who perished fighting against fascism and Nazism during World War II. The initiative, spearheaded by the Gorizia section of the Italian partisan association ANPI-VZPI, aims to honor the memory of these anti-fascist fighters, the majority of whom were of Slovenian origin.

The proposed site for the monument is the Remembrance Park (Spominski park) near the city center. This park already holds historical significance, containing remnants of a 1919 temple and other memorials. The park also features a monument to 665 victims deported to Yugoslavia and killed after World War II. The ANPI-VZPI believes the park is a fitting location to preserve the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for freedom.

Of the 616 partisans honored, many were young men and women from the Gorizia municipality, which during the war included Solkan, Šempeter, and Vrtojba. They fought against the Nazi and fascist occupiers in both Slovenian and Italian partisan units. The project received official approval from the Gorizia municipal administration and other relevant authorities in 2024, following lengthy bureaucratic procedures.

Fundraising efforts have commenced, with an estimated cost of 24,630 euros for the monument's creation and installation. The ANPI-VZPI, in collaboration with the Kulturni dom Gorica, is appealing for voluntary financial contributions. The goal is to complete and ceremonially unveil the monument in 2026, ensuring that the sacrifices of these predominantly Slovenian partisans are not forgotten.