Vermiglio Valley Forts

Introduction

The five Austro-Hungarian forts in the Vermiglio Valley were part of the group of forts erected to block passes in the mountains of Trentino. The plan to build these fortifications was implemented from the Italian Wars of Independence, when the annexation of Lombardy-Veneto to the Kingdom of Italy placed Trentino on the southern border of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The fortifications, positioned in a 'pincer formation', i.e. on opposite valley slopes to counter any possible penetration, were supplemented with trenches, communication trenches, roads, military villages, areas for artillery pieces and cable cars.

Description

Strino Fort
Built between 1860 and 1864 - Altitude: 1538 m
Strino Fort (STRASSENSPERRE STRINO) was the first fort to be built in the Vermiglio Valley, after the annexation of Lombardy to the Kingdom of Italy and the construction of the road to Tonale ordered by Radetzky and opened in 1859. Of outdated design already after its completion, the fort (WERK) Strino had the function of a 'cut-off' and road barrier (STRASSENSPERRE). Circular in shape, with numerous loopholes for close defence, the fort was adapted several times to the new strategic military concepts and connected in 1907 with Fort Velon below it via a 'caponiera', a steep, vaulted staircase. The destruction of Fort Strino was not due to military events but rather to the activity of Vermiglio's 'recuperanti' (salvagers) who, between the two wars, recovered iron and cut stone. The Municipality of Vermiglio has recently renovated the fort by setting up a museum dedicated to the 'White War' (conducted from 1915 onwards among peaks, rocks, snow and glaciers, on the border line that led from the Stelvio, through the Adamello, to Lake Garda).

Forte Velon
Built between 1898 and 1900 - Altitude: 1350 m
The Velon Fort (NAHKAMPFANLANGE VELON), connected to the overhanging Forte Strino (STRASSENSPERRE SPINO) by a vaulted staircase "capponiera", was conceived for close defence (NAHKAMPFANLANGE) and to bar the entrance to the opposite Val di Stavel.
Forte Pozzi Alti (or Presanella)
Built between 1906 and 1912 - Altitude: 1895 m

The Fort Presanella or Pozzi Alti (WERK PRESANELLA ODER POZZI ALTI), the only emplacement on the orographic right slope of the Val di Vermiglio, completed the classic "pincer" configuration - dear to the Austrian Command - with the forts Mero and Zaccarana placed on the opposite slope. Its main purpose was to beat the Tonale Pass and the slopes from Ospizio di San Bartolomeo to Stavel. The fort was designed like the casemates of the 19th century, too high on the terrain and unable to control the terrain upstream, but it was the first Trentine armoured construction (PANZERKONSTRUKTIONEN) with revolving armoured domes.

Forte Zaccarana (or Saccarana or Tonale)
Built between 1907 and 1913 - Altitude: 2086 m
Fort Tonale or Zaccarana (WERK TONALE ODER ZACCARANA) was the most fortified and powerful fort in the Vermiglio Valley area. Built in armoured concrete casemate to barricade the Val di Strino and the Val di Vermiglio together with the opposite Fort Pozzi Alti (or Presanella), it was equipped with revolving steel domes. It was heavily cannonaded by the Italian army (mainly from Forte di Corno d'Aola).

Forte Mero
Constructed between 1911 and 1913 - Altitude: 1859 m
Fort Mero (ZWISCHENWERK MERO) was intended to bar the old Tonale road coming from the Ospizio di San Bartolomeo. Dedicated mainly to close-range combat and observation duties, it was hit in 1916 by Italian artillery and, after being disarmed, transformed into a field hospital.
From the car park near the SS42 (approx. 1858 m) go down the tarmac road with signpost [268] to the former Pozzi Alti Fort and immediately afterwards turn left leaving the road for the Presena riverbed. Continuing along the dirt road, cross a bridge over the Vermigliana stream, ignore the detours for Passo Tonale and Raseghe and descend a few hairpin bends to a few dozen metres before a new bridge over the Vermigliana stream. Abandoning the dirt track for Malga Pecé, descend the path on the right into a coniferous wood, pass a few grassy clearings and reach Ponte degli Alpini (1537m, 0h45') over the Presena stream. An almost level path leads to the locality of Rocca Marcia (1560m) and, after crossing a stream on a slippery wooden footbridge, up to the Carbonere clearing (1630m). The path now climbs a little steeper into the forest, occasionally allowing glimpses of the ruins of Fort Zaccarana on the left orographic side of the Val di Vermiglio. Continuing the ascent among the larch trees, we arrive at Forte Pozzi Alti (1895m, 2h00').
The descent is along the same route: we descend to Ponte degli Alpini (1537m, 1h00') and climb back up to the car park near the SS42 (1858m, 1h55').

Trail for Forte Zaccarana (or Saccarana or Tonale) and Forte Mero
Departure: 1538m
Return: 2086m
Difference: 548m
Outward journey time: 1h45'
Return: 1h40'
Exposure: South
Signposts red-and-white arrow markings
From the car park at Fort Strino (1538 m) climb the vaulted covered staircase "capponiera", if open, up to the entrance of the fort and move to the right to the detailed plan board of the fortification (alternatively, at the car park, to the right of the "capponiera", a modest track climbs the slope to the start of the path). Climb up into the coniferous forest along a fine path, at times held up in the valley by log banks, until it crosses the old Tonale road. Turn left and, with a moderate incline, leave the forest at the meadows below the Masi di Strino. On the left, the figure of Cima Presanella begins to peep out. Just before the bridge over the Rio Strino stream, ignore the diversions to the right for the Mezzolo, Verniana and Saviana huts and cross the dirt track (signpost no. 137) for Malga Strino, Laghetti di Strino and Bocchetta di Strino. You climb up the dirt track to the right and immediately leave it, turning onto the path to the left, a shortcut to a distant hairpin bend. You now ascend a beautiful forest path to the dirt track. Near the next hairpin bend, you ignore the dirt track to the left for Forte Mero, San Bartolomeo and Passo del Tonale (which you will follow in part on the way back) and, continuing on the dirt track to the right, you pass a ruin, then some military caves and, by hairpin bends, with a modest slope, you reach the clearing where Forte Zaccarana stands (2086 m, 1h45').
From the fort, there is a panorama sweeping from the Tonale Pass to Presena and Presanella (if you look carefully, you can also make out the ruins of Forte Pozzi Alti on the opposite slope).
We also recommend a visit to the two caves (25' A/R) located on the "Sentiero Bozerlait" (signpost [160], to the right a few dozen metres before the fort).
We return by retracing the outward route until the junction for Forte Mero (0h35'), turn right and, almost level, visit the fort in about 20' A/R. Returning to the junction, we retrace, to the right, the outward journey to Forte Strino (1538 m, 1h40' diversions to Forte Mero included).

Trail to Fort Strino and Fort Velon
Outward journey time: 10'
Return time: 10'
Trail signposts: red and white arrow markings
Having visited Fort Strino and its internal museum, drive down the SS42 for about 1.3 km, turn right onto the SP94 to Velon and Stavel and after about 300 m, on the right, you will cross the dirt road for Fort Velon. The Fort can be reached in about 10' (20' A/R).