Austro-Hungarian Cemetery of Brazzano

Brazzano is a small hamlet of Cormòns in the province of Gorizia, situated between the Friulian plain, the Judrio River and the hills of the Collio region.

In 1915 it formed part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but because it lay only a few kilometres from the border it was occupied by Italian troops on the very first day of the war. Recaptured by the Austrians after the retreat of Caporetto, Brazzano finally became part of the Kingdom of Italy after 4 November 1918.

Its civil cemetery still preserves an area dedicated to the Austro-Hungarian soldiers who fell during the First World War. To visit it, visitors must reach Cormòns and follow the signs towards Cividale del Friuli along the SS356 state road until the hamlet of Brazzano. Upon entering the cemetery, they will find the graves of those who died in the prisoner-of-war camp established in this very location, as well as the 282 soldiers who fell in the surrounding area and were originally buried in Cormòns.

The grassy field is covered with white stone crosses, while stone memorial plaques are fixed along the boundary wall. Further ahead stand the iron crosses marking the resting place of the camp prisoners. At the far end, leaning against the perimeter wall, a large pyramid-shaped monument is clearly visible, featuring a rose window at its centre engraved with the words “Freund und Feind / Im Tode vereint” (“Friend and foe united in death”).