Last week, a group of 40 UWC Adriatic students and educators visited Monte San Michele, an area steeped in the history of World War I, located near Duino. The museum at Monte San Michele provides an immersive educational experience, employing interactive multimedia tools to bring to life the events that unfolded on the Italian-Austrian front.
Through these vivid exhibits and an excellent guided tour, students gained insights into the realities of life in the trenches, the harrowing impact of the gas attack of 29 June 1916, and the daring overflight of the Doberdò plateau by Francesco Baracca. Outside the museum, Augmented Reality features along the pedestrian path, gunner gallery, and Lukachich cave added further depth to the visit, offering a tangible connection to the region’s historical significance.
For UWC Adriatic students, this trip was an opportunity to reflect not only on the devastating consequences of war but also on the enduring importance of peace and international understanding—values that remain central to the UWC mission. Italian teacher and Adriatic alumna Viviana Pace shared,
“Living in an area so deeply marked by the events of WWI makes us keenly aware of how fragile peace can be. Visits like this one remind us of the shared humanity we must strive to uphold in today’s world.”
By confronting the past, students were encouraged to consider the role of empathy and dialogue in shaping a more just and peaceful future—lessons that resonate all the more powerfully amidst today’s global challenges.
