Forte Colle Delle Benne - An Austrian fort in Italy

The town is set in a valley against a dramatic back drop of beautiful mountain side. It is in Northern Italy, the very North, in fact close to Austria.

After WW1 ended,  regardless of the wishes of the people, the treaty directed that this part of Austria would be given to Italy, irrespective of the views, needs and wishes of the inhabitants who were in fact Austrian and found themselves forced to be Italian. They have managed more or less to keep their identity although the cultures have merged together over the last 100 years and I found myself eating for example, pizza or pasta with Austrian Speck - spiced ham - on it. They have their own dialect too.

Forte Colle Delle Benne has recently been restored and the restoration has been superbly done. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff members we met that day. They are kind, helpful and good at explaining.

The fort was built between 1880 and 1889 as a defensive position against invasion by Italy and now finds itself actually IN Italy. By WW1 ( 1914 - 1918 ) though it was considered out of date so wasn't a major defensive position at the time. Italy entered WW1 in 1915 and it is referred to as La Guerra Grande.

In that heatwave, the steep walk up was a considerable challenge although it is accessible by road too. The path was very good and well laid out but steep at the side down the mountain.

I was interested to see how vines would grow on a mountain top.

I was on the point of giving up and turning back, so my husband suggested patiently that we sit a while and have water. I didn't want him to miss out visiting the fort and so we sat and then walked on, turned a sharp corner. There it was - just a few yards onwards. I had nearly turned back just a few yards away after that climb!  How glad I was to have rested and continued.

The gate was enough to spark my enthusiasm. I set to wondering who had walked  through that gate over 100 years ago.

The Forte is staffed by extremely knowledgeable, hardworking staff who kindly made me a cup of tea. It was much appreciated.

Here's an idea  of what it is like inside and how it would have been for the soldiers garrisoned there. Amazing place, amazing restoration.

The stone wall must have been rather cold inside. The windows were small and defensive from attack.

The officers had a better toilet and not just a hole in the floor.  :)

Look at the view from the top. What a great look out post against invading Italians. Oh - except it's now Italy....not Austria !

This is a restored window from one of the canon positions which needed to be large of course.

The whole place is stone made and like a maze finding the way round. But there are several maps to help along the way and it all leads back to the entrance.

Whether you go up by car or walk, this is a must-visit if you are in the area. The wonderful staff enhance this remarkable place.

I go on feelings quite often and I could feel and sense the occupation of this fascinating place which could house up to 200 soldiers at a time.

A truly remarkable restoration of a truly wonderful place.