Isonzo News

To celebrate the release of the Montello Expansion, we bring you the Montello Cycling Tour! Just a little bit further, almost there.

[h3]Previously: Nervesa of the Battle [#6][/h3]
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We've already cycled quite a bit and explored a ton of the area's history, WW1 and beyond. Today we'll arrive at our final destination: The Nervesa della Battaglia train station.




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[h2]Stop #7: The Nervesa della Battaglia train station[/h2]

Starting at the fountain, we take the scenic route through the village, over Via Rimembranza (meaning Remembrance), continuing southwest and crossing the canal. Here, you'll notice the road is crossed by an old, overgrown railroad and a path. Spoiler alert: the train station is no longer in use.

Nervesa della Battaglia was once part of a short, double-track train line connecting Montebelluna, Volpago del Montello, Giavera del Montello. Nervesa della Battaglia and finally Ponte della Priula across the Piave river. There's one photo of this train line on the bridge, but you'll have to squint a bit.



The rail was opened in 1916 as part of the supply chain to get food, gear and weaponry to the front. However, when the Austro-Hungarians pushed for Nervesa, it became part of the front. Bitter fighting happened at the Nervesa train station and the Austro-Hungarians did end up capturing it.

In 1920, the line was restored as a single-track route, upgraded to double track 5 years later and then downgraded back to single track another 15 years later. It was primarily in use for passenger service during this time, which was shut down in 1966. The section between Giavera and Ponte della Priula remained in use for an army depot until 1980.

Most of the line has been dismantled, though some rail remains around the Nervesa train station. Instead of building over it, the former railway has been transformed into a ~16km historical walking trail "La Tradotta" from Montebelluna until past Nervesa.

Under a bridge along the route

You're allowed to cycle on the trail, so we join in at route marker #24 heading east. This section is mostly overgrown aside from the path itself, though the old rails and signs are still visible.



As we near route marker #25, we arrive at our final destination. Hidden behind the greenery on our left, there's an old abandoned building. Unmaintained, overgrown, slowly falling apart. You guessed it: it's the Nervesa train station.

The station as seen on Google Maps.

This very building is the site of so many last stands on Montello. However, we should mention that some changes have been made to make the map more enjoyable. Compared to the old reference photos, there are extra doors on the sides of the building and you may notice that we're on the tracks and are looking towards the station, while in game the station is south of the tracks. Having the rails and wagons in front of the station makes a more interesting final objective than behind the station, where it would only block the Italians from getting back to the fighting.



Note that the historical photo has been flipped horizontally. The side you see is the other side of the station in game. Soldiers are facing north.



Well... that's it! We have arrived at the final stop of the tour, the last objective of Montello. From the Second Battle of Piave to ancient history and the surprising cultural impact this region had on not just Italy, but even Europe, we told a lot of stories in the past few weeks. We really hope you've enjoyed it and learned something as well – we sure did.

[h2]Up next?[/h2]

While we assume you've read all Montello Tour blogs already (right?), we'll have a recap of all the stops next week, plus maybe a quick look at something some of you have requested us to check out. It involves aviation. See you then!

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[h2]Visit Montello![/h2]
The Montello Cycling Tour is a collaboration with local organizations. We'd like to thank them for helping us out with information about the region, the history and photos they provided. If you're interested in visiting the area, please check them out and tell them we sent you!



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It has not been long since the release of Montello, but we’re already getting ready for the next new map. Grab your thickest coat and sturdiest snow gear – you’ll need it for the second part of the White War campaign.

[h2]Introducing: Adamello[/h2]



We’re headed for the highest battlefield featured in Isonzo so far, where Italian Alpini regiments launched a large-scale assault on the Presena Glacier held by Austro-Hungarian forces. While the positions of Zigolon and Marocarro were captured quite swiftly, the fortified position at Cima Presena proved to be more difficult.

Austro-Hungarian defenses.

The Italians ended up shelling Cima Presena extensively to soften it up for a simultaneous attack from both Zigolon and Maracarro. The Austro-Hungarian garrison was decimated by the artillery. Surprised by the assault that followed, they surrendered to the Italians, severely shaken and exhausted.

However, they were not just fighting each other. The environment and harsh snow storms at 3000m altitude were a force to be reckoned with and could make or – more commonly – break, an attack. During winter, fighting was simply impossible.

Heavy snow at Marocarro.

The Adamello map focuses on the Marocarro sector and the push for Cima Presena from the north. Today, we’ll show you the first half: the advance for Marocarro!

[h3]The lay of the land[/h3]

Italian starting position with reference.

Right as the Italian attackers kick off their advance, they’ll be able to pick between three distinct routes. From their point of view, the left side of the map is an open, snow-covered area. You can follow the snowy trenches to guide you to the B objective of the first sector. You’ll need the cover as well, as you’re vulnerable from most angles – especially from above.

The middle route is a bit of a climb away from the leftmost route, halfway up the mountain ridge. While similar to the left route, the terrain is steeper and there are several connections leading to the ridge and the third route. It leads to Objective A, from where you can shoot down towards Objective B.

In between left route and middle route, defenders' POV.

The rightmost route is perhaps the most interesting. Right on the other side of the ridge is a narrow path, allowing for flanking maneuvers aided by the cover provided by rock formations. It’s not all sunshine however, as this side route merges with the middle route at the A objective and the defenders are well prepared for sneaky Italians. Also, be sure to watch your step – a tiny slip up can be a quick one-way ticket to a respawn point.

The ridge route.

Regardless of the route, vision is severely limited by the stormy weather. While the slope provides little cover aside from the two trenches, it’s difficult to accurately hit long-range shots.

[h3]Sector #1: Maroccaro Sector[/h3]

As the Italians make their way to the first sector across wire barriers, the Austro-Hungarians have dug themselves into the snowy slope.

Objective A is a small supply hub on the ridge, with various storage huts and some sleeping spots connected to the cable lift used to get supplies up the mountain. The Italians will have to capture this key area before advancing.

Objective A.

Objective B is entrenched in the snow some way down the slope of the mountain. Between the attackers and the cable lift stands a maze of frozen trenches. In the middle, there’s a Feldhaubitze the Italians are all too eager to destroy.

Objective B.

What happens on Adamello after the first sector is captured, we’ll save for part 2!

[h2]Join us next time at Cima Presena![/h2]

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To celebrate the release of the Montello Expansion, we bring you the Montello Cycling Tour! You'll likely see people here, act natural.

In the Cycling Tour, we'll be exploring the area represented in the Montello map. There's a lot of history to be found here, from the very structures that played a role in this battle to the monuments erected in memory della Grande Guerra. Every Friday we'll make a new stop at one of these historic locations until we arrive at our final destination: The Nervesa della Battaglia train station.

[h3]Previously: Visiting the Fallen [#5][/h3]
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We speed down the hill and end up on a larger road (I hope your breaks work). Taking a left, our stop is just up ahead.




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[h2]Stop #6: Fontana di Piazza la Piave[/h2]

We arrive at the central square of Nervesa della Battaglia; probably a familiar name by now, as it's the village we recreated on the Montello map. In fact, you can find this very fountain in game as well!



Nervesa della Battaglia is a village (or comune) with a population of about 6,500. We already mentioned some of its long history while cycling over Montello, but here's a quick rundown.

[h3]A brief pre-WW1 history[/h3]

Based on archeological finds, it's assumed the Romans built a fortress on the site of present-day Nervesa in the first century. The surrounding area was involved in the centuriation of Treviso, a system used to divide land among the Roman populace. Nervesa was first documented by the Holy Roman Empire in 954 as Nervisia and gifted to the Collalto family.

[h3]The Second Battle of the Piave[/h3]

Fast forwarding a bit, we arrive at the latter half of WW1. After the Italian defeat during the Battle of Caporetto, Austro-Hungarian forces pushed across the Piave river in June 1918, in an attempt to create a foothold across the river and eliminate the natural defenses it offered to the Italians. The Austrian forces initially succeeded, but were stopped in their further advances south towards Bavaria (no, not the German state) and Arcade (no, not the game kind) by the Italian counteroffensive. French artillery bombarded the Austro-Hungarians, their walkways across the river as well as Nervesa, forcing them back to the defensive.



After a week of fighting (during which Francesco Baracca was downed), Italian forces got the upperhand and the Austro-Hungarians decided to retreat back across the river. This marked the end of the role Nervesa played in WW1. Hours after the retreat, the Italian King Vittorio Emanuele III visited the village only to find it razed to the ground from the fighting and artillery.


[h3]Modern day Nervesa[/h3]

While not much remained of Nervesa after the war, this wasn't the end of the village (which probably isn't very surprising considering where we are). Its people returned and the population even exceeded pre-war numbers by 1921. Around this time, Nervesa was renamed Nervesa della Battaglia, or "Nervesa of the Battle", referring to the Second Battle of the Piave.

Today, Nervesa della Battaglia is an industrial village supported by the local agricultural sector. In the surrounding industrialized areas of Dus, Bidasio and Foscarini, you'll find producers of everything from concrete to gelato.

The village itself is quite a typical, idyllic Italian comune. Its main attractions are many of the places we've talked about already, like the shrine to Francesco Baracca and the military ossuary. However, it is very beautiful here, so be sure to explore and grab a bite if you're ever nearby visiting the historical landmarks.



[h2]Up next[/h2]

Next time, we wrap up the cycling tour! We'll arrive at our last stop, the old train station of Nervesa della Battaglia. The route we'll take isn't the fastest option, but it allows us to see a bit more of the village.

The route on Google Maps

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[h2]Visit Montello![/h2]
The Montello Cycling Tour is a collaboration with local organizations. We'd like to thank them for helping us out with information about the region, the history and photos they provided. If you're interested in visiting the area, please check them out and tell them we sent you!



[hr][/hr]
[h3]Follow our socials:[/h3]
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To celebrate the release of the Montello Expansion, we bring you the Montello Cycling Tour! Time to pay our respects.

In the Cycling Tour, we'll be exploring the area represented in the Montello map. There's a lot of history to be found here, from the very structures that played a role in this battle to the monuments erected in memory della Grande Guerra. Every Friday we'll make a new stop at one of these historic locations until we arrive at our final destination: The Nervesa della Battaglia train station.

[h3]Previously: Francesco Baracca [#4][/h3]
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1556790/view/4704662705453838153

We continue cycling up and down the hill as we make our way to our next stop. Following the main road down is the quickest way. Going straight will get you stuck at a private road, though you can cycle the long way around for the scenic route!




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[h2]Stop #5: Sacrario Ossario Militare del Montello[/h2]



Literally translated as "Military Ossuary Shrine of Montello", this structure designed by Felice Nori is the final resting place of many Italian soldiers that fell fighting in the surrounding region during WW1. It stands 32 meters tall and houses the remains of 9,325 soldiers, of which 6,099 were identified and 3,226 remain unknown. They were previously buried in about 120 smaller cemeteries scattered along the Piave, but were collected and moved to this ossuary (similar to a mausoleum but at a much larger scale) when it was inaugurated in 1938 for the 20th anniversary of the Second Battle of the Piave.



Inside however, there's more than you might expect. The ossuary has four floors, the first two of which house the remains of the soldiers with a small chapel on the second flour. A lot here is beautifully decorated in marble. On the third floor, there's a small museum dedicated to the Second Battle of the Piave. The displays are filled with finds from the battlefield, including rifles, pistols, grenades, swords & medals.



On the fourth floor you'll be able to admire the surroundings from higher up through the square windows you can see in the photos. You can't get all the way to the top of the tower, but it does feature a glass roof to let in a lot of light.

Both the ossuary and the museum inside are completely free to visit, so if you're ever nearby, be sure to check it out! Feel free to leave a little donation for the people who keep the place open and well kept.

[h2]Up next[/h2]

Next time, we'll cycle downhill and say goodbye to Montello, as we enter the village of Nervesa della Battaglia. See you at the Fontana di Piazza la Piave!

The route on Google Maps

[hr][/hr]
[h2]Visit Montello![/h2]
The Montello Cycling Tour is a collaboration with local organizations. We'd like to thank them for helping us out with information about the region, the history and photos they provided. If you're interested in visiting the area, please check them out and tell them we sent you!



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[h3]Follow our socials:[/h3]
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Today we released a small patch, these are the changes.

• Updated the network version
  
• Updated the Unity version
  
• Made minor changes in the back-end
  

The download size is expected to be around 515mb.