The Bell of Peace “Maria Dolens”

The Peace Bell "Maria Dolens" stands on the colle di Miravalle above Rovereto and near Castel Dante, a symbolic place where around 20,000 Italian and Austro-Hungarian soldiers are resting today. For almost a century, its hundred chimes have rung out every evening in the city of Rovereto and its surroundings in remembrance of the war fallen, but also to favour and promote peace.

The bell was designed in 1924 in Trento by the will of don Antonio Rossaro, a priest from Rovereto. The bronze it is made of derives from different cannons, used by various countries during World War I. In October 1925 it was named "Maria Dolens" and initially exhibited at the Castle of Rovereto. The current bell, blessed by Pope Paul VI, is actually the third version of the original one. Maria Dolens was smelted three times since its construction. In 1939 it was smelted twice with the aim of making its sound more pleasant to listen to and in the 1960's to fix an irreparable crack. It was decorated with Neoclassical low reliefs by the Trentino sculptor Stefano Zuech. With a height of 3.36 metres, a diameter of 3.21 metres and a weight of 22,639 kg, it is the biggest full peal bell in the world.

The alley leading to the bell was decorated with the flags of the nations, organisations and communities engaged in promoting peace and brotherhood among populations. The Campana dei Caduti is located in a museum area and complete with a photo exhibition retracing its history. An easy forest path takes you directly to the sacred monument of Castel Dante.