FORTE DI FENESTRELLE

Known as the piedmontese wallthe Fort of Fenestrelle is a fortified complex unique in Europe in size, design and impact on the landscape. The imposing defence system consists of three forts, three reductions and two batteries, connected by an extraordinary covered staircase of approximately 4,000 steps.

Within the complex are two museums: The Governor's animals e As at the King's Court - costumes in the 18th century, which recount the everyday life and imagery of the time.

The project was born in 1727, when the engineer Ignatius Bertola, on behalf of the King Vittorio Amedeo II, he devised a visionary work: a long, fortified wall barring the Chisone Valley, designed to defend the territory from foreign invasions. The architecture is striking: the structure develops along the ridge of the mountain to over 3 kilometres, occupies a total area of 1,350,000 square metres and passes a height difference of approximately 600 metres between the first and the last building.

Work began in the spring of 1728 and continued on to over a century, until the closure of the last construction site in 1850. During peak periods, the number of employees exceeded the four thousand, giving birth to what would become Europe's largest Alpine fortress.

After the World War II, the fort was progressively abandoned: from 1947, With the decommissioning by the army, vegetation began to encroach on the walls and the entire complex risked being reduced to a ruin. The rebirth began in 1990 thanks to the efforts of the’Associazione Progetto San Carlo Onlus, which has restored life and meaning to this extraordinary heritage.

👉 Note to subscribersthe visit route alone In the footsteps of De Amicis not included in Museum Subscription.