The Risorgimento and the revolutions of 1848 in Vicenza

The decisive attack was on June 10. Thirty thousand imperial soldiers with 50 cannons overwhelmed the city. Marshal Radetzky's order to attack the city of Vicenza (the original copy is preserved in the archives) is perhaps the most important document in the entire history of Vicenza Rebellion of 1848. The main Austrian action developed against the positions on Monte Berico, the true cornerstone of the Vicenza defense; this position was manned by regular papal forces and volunteers.

Secondary maneuvers in the plains were designed to support the main action.

The city's defenders numbered 11,000 men with 38 cannons; these forces were under the command of General Giovanni Durando.

The Berici Hills' defense system was organized along successive lines located at Castel Rambaldo, Bella Guardia Hill, Ambellicoli Hill, and Villa Guiccioli, near the Sanctuary.

The Austrians first occupied Castel Rambaldo, then took, lost, and retook Bella Guardia, although the fiercest fighting took place around Ambellicoli Hill, the most important position in Vicenza's defensive system.

It was attacked forcefully and defended with great valor, but the massive numerical disproportion in favor of the attacker left little doubt about the outcome of the battle.

While the Sanctuary was defended by a few brave men determined to make the sacrifice, the bulk of the defenders retreated in an orderly fashion, even attempting a final counterattack that, however, could not change the outcome of the day.

With the mountain lost, the city became indefensible, also due to the lack of reserves to throw into the fight.

Surrender negotiations were therefore initiated. After long and not always peaceful discussions between the plenipotentiaries of the two sides, an agreement was reached and signed at Villa Ca' Balbi at dawn on June 11, 1848. The defenders would leave the city with full military honors and retreat to the right bank of the Po, committing themselves to not engaging in combat with Austria for three months. The losses were: Austrians 304 dead, 541 wounded, and 140 missing; Italians 293 dead and 1,665 wounded.

The fall of Vicenza, a city with a significant strategic position, had very negative consequences for the course of the war and also gave rise to bitter and protracted controversies.

L'uscita da Vicenza delle truppe italiane, dopo la capitolazione, 11 giugno 1848