War Memorial – Chimes and Memories of the Past

History and description

Born from the idea of the National Association of Mothers and Widows of the Fallen of the First World War, the war memorial entitled “Chimes and Memories” was created by Luigi Venzano after winning a competition. The structure consists of a base in sienite from Balma, enriched with an inscription, and four bronze figures supporting a bell. Every day at 6:00 pm, the bell tolls 21 times in memory of the fallen of all wars, followed by one minute of silence. Among the figures placed on the sides, two—a veteran and a departing soldier—symbolize the beginning of war, while the other two—an elderly woman and a younger one mourning the death of son and husband—symbolize its end. The first stone was laid in 1923, and the monument was inaugurated four years later in the presence of King Victor Emmanuel.

Curiosities

Considered a symbol of the city of Savona, the monument today also features an information plaque in Italian, English, and Braille, describing the author, materials, inauguration date, and meaning.

Access

The monument is visible at any time free of charge, with the only scheduled moment being the daily chimes at 6:00 pm.

How to reach it

Located in the center of Piazza Goffredo Mameli, the structure is easily accessible by car (with parking available nearby), by bus (stopping close to the square), or on foot.

A symbol of the country’s historical memory, the War Memorial is an experience of reflection on the past—an important work to ensure that the victims are never forgotten.

Photo credits: Naldina (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 4.0