Biography of Cesare Battisti

For freedom of Trento and Italy

4 February 1875 12 July 1916 Joseph Cesare Battisti was born on day 4 February 1875 in Trento, historical period when the city was part of the austro-Hungarian Empire. Her parents are Cesare Battisti, tradesman, and Maria Teresa Fazel, a noblewoman. After attending Gymnasium in Trento, he moved to Graz: here is bound to the Group of German Marxists, and with them he founded a newspaper that was immediately censored. After a brief period of study in Graz, he moved to Florence where he began to attend college. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1898; Subsequently he obtained a second degree in geography. Following in the footsteps of his maternal uncle, don Luigi Fazel-who was sentenced to death for conspiracy from Austria and later pardoned--and embrace patriotic ideals of irredentism soon. Abandoned academic circles devotes its activities to nature and geographical studies, publishing some appreciated "Guide" of Trento and other towns in the region, along with the important book "Trentino". Parallel Cesare Battisti deals with social and political problems: the head of the Socialist Movement trentino, strives to improve the living conditions of the workers, for the Italian University of Trieste and the autonomy of the Trentino. In 1900 he founded the Socialist newspaper "the people" and then the illustrated weekly "Vita Trentina", which he directed for many years. The desire to fight for the cause thirty actively in politics, you decide to get off candida and in 1911 he was elected member of the Austrian Parliament (Reichsrat). Three years later, in 1914, also enters in the diet (meeting). On August 17, 1914, just two weeks after the outbreak of the austro-serba, Cesare Battisti abandons Austrian territory and fled to Italy, where he became an active propagandist for the Italian intervention against the austro-Hungarian Empire: holds rallies in major Italian cities and publishes articles in newspapers and magazines interventionists. Among the cities where stays there is Treviglio (where he lives in via S N at number 15). On May 24, 1915, Italy entered the war: Baptists joined volunteer with the Battaglione Alpini Edolo, 50th company. Fights to the Montozzo under the leadership of officers like Gennaro Sora and Attilio Calvi. For his contempt of danger in actions for drastic solutions receives, in August 1915, a commendation. Is then transferred to a ward skiers to the Tonale pass and subsequently promoted to officer, 6th battalion Vicenza Alpini Regiment, operating on Monte Baldo in 1915 and the Pasubio in 1916. In may 1916 to Malga Campobrun is to prepare Italian counteroffensive. On 10 July the battalion Vicenza (59th, 60th, 61st and companies formed by a company of marcia commanded by Lieutenant Cesare Battisti, whose is also subordinate Lieutenant Fabio Filzi) receives the order to occupy the Monte Corno (1765 m) to the right of the Leno in Vallarsa, occupied by austro-Hungarian forces. While many Alpine fall under Austrian shots, while many others are taken prisoner. Among the latter were the second lieutenant Fabio Filzi and Lieutenant Cesare Battisti himself who, after being recognized, are imprisoned in Trento. On the morning of July 11 Cesare Battisti is transported through the city aboard a wagon, in chains and surrounded by soldiers. Along the way, several citizen groups and militias, stirred up even by Austrian police, make him the target of insults, spitting and insulting phrases. The next morning, on July 12, 1916, is conducted to the Castello del Buon Consiglio together with Fabio Filzi. During the process doesn't deny anything accountable, reiterating also its full faith in Italy. Rejects charges of treason on him and regarded for all purposes a soldier caught in Act of war. Delivery of the judgment of death by Halter for treason, for than the military uniform he wears, Cesare Battisti took the floor and asks to be shot rather than hanged. The judge denies this request and proceeds instead to purchase some measly make him wear clothes when hanging. The execution takes place in the pit of the martyrs, in the inner courtyard of the Castello del Buonconsiglio. According to the chronicles the noose tied around the throat of Baptists, breaks, but instead to give him grace as was the custom, the executioner Lang (came from Vienna, called again before the process started) repeats the sentence with a new rope. Battisti's last words were: "Viva Trento italiana! Long live Italy!" The widow Ernesta Bittanti (1871-1957) is settled the amount of 10000 lire from RAS, Austro-Hungarian Trieste insurance company at the time. Leaves three sons, Louis (1901-1946), Livia (1907-1978) and Camillo (born in 1910). Cesare Battisti is remembered in folk song "La canzone del Piave" quoted with Nazario Sauro and Guglielmo Oberdan. The Italian national hero are dedicated monuments, squares, car parks and streets throughout Italy. In Trento was erected a large mausoleum on the Doss Trento, overlooking the city symbolically. The mountain that was captured is now called Monte Corno Baptists.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.