Cacciatori delle Alpi

Italian revolutionaries

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The "Cacciatori delle Alpi," or "Hunters of the Alps," were a volunteer force led by Giuseppe Garibaldi during the Second Italian War of Independence in 1859. This war was a crucial step in the unification of Italy.1

The Cacciatori delle Alpi fought alongside the French army against Austria. Their primary role was to engage Austrian forces in the northern Italian regions, particularly around Lombardy. Garibaldi's volunteers were instrumental in securing victories and advancing the Italian cause, contributing to the eventual creation of a unified Kingdom of Italy.12

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Giuseppe Garibaldi
Retreat of Giuseppe Garibaldi
…April 1859, he led his Cacciatori delle Alpi (Alpine Huntsmen) in the capture of Varese and Como and reached the frontier of the south Tirol. This war ended with the acquisition of Lombardy by Piedmont.
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…April 1859, he led his Cacciatori delle Alpi (Alpine Huntsmen) in the capture of Varese and Como and reached the frontier of the south Tirol. This war ended with the acquisition of Lombardy by Piedmont.
Read More