The Palo del Colle War Memorial – PaloLive.it

A winged woman, dressed in a long and flowing tunic, standing protracted upwards with a laurel wreath in her hand which she proudly displays: it is the allegory of Victory, the “Nike” for the ancient Greeks.

This is how it looks Monument dedicated to the fallen of Palo del Colle located in Piazza Diaz positioned on a base composed of four steps, culminating in a high pillar and a memorial stone on which is positioned a high relief representing two soldiers, one with the cross and the other holding a sword.

In the background the nineteenth-century church of San Giuseppe which captures attention with its hexagonal “dome” and the soaring Venetian-style bell tower leaning against the central body.

The monument was built by the artist Gaetano Stella di Bari (1888-1964), originally located in Piazza Santacroce, it was moved in 1934 and modified again in the 1950s.

This is because dDuring the Second World War, the monument suffered the confiscation of its metals in 1943, but was then promptly restored and relocated to where it still stands today.

A plaque on the monument carries a short message of remembrance and gratitude, mentioning the 1953 reconstruction financed by the Benefit Committee of Brooklyn pro Palo del Colle, highlighting the link between the local community and its diaspora in the United States.

The Palo del Colle War Memorial remains a tangible symbol of commemoration for those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. It continues to inspire reflection and respect in the community, testifying to its enduring importance in the fabric of local history.