Italian National Ossario facts for kids
The Italian National Ossario, 2009
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| Coordinates | 36°37′39″S 145°13′24″E / 36.62750°S 145.22333°E |
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| Location | Murchison, Victoria, Australia |
| Designer | Paolo Caccia Dominioni |
| Beginning date | 1958 |
| Completion date | 1961 |
The Italian National Ossario, also known as the Murchison Ossario, is a special monument in Murchison, Australia. It is like a cemetery and a memorial all in one. An ossuary is a place where human remains are respectfully kept. This ossario holds the remains of 130 Italians. They passed away during World War II.
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What is the Murchison Ossario?
The Murchison Ossario is a unique and important monument. It is a final resting place for 130 Italian people. These individuals died during World War II. The ossario is a place of remembrance and respect. It helps us honor those who are buried there.
Building the Memorial
Work on this important monument began in 1958. It was finished and officially opened in 1961. The money to build it came from Italian communities living in the Goulburn Valley. A person named Luigi Gigliotti led the fundraising efforts.
The ossario was designed by Paolo Caccia Dominioni. He was a famous architect. He also designed another important Italian memorial in Egypt. This shows how special the Murchison Ossario is.
Who is Buried Here?
The 130 people buried in the ossario include 129 men and one woman. They were Italians who died in Australia during World War II.
Prisoners of War
Some of the people buried here were prisoners of war. These were Italian soldiers captured during the war. They were sent to Australia.
Civilian Internees
Others were Italian people already living in Australia. They were not soldiers. But during the war, they were sometimes seen as "enemy aliens." This meant the government considered them a potential threat. So, they were held in special camps. These people were also buried at the ossario.
The Murchison Ossario is a significant place. It reminds us of the lives of these Italians. It also shows the history of World War II in Australia.
