FROM WAR TO PEACE - Trentino SpA

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p e a k e x p e r i e n c e
FROM WAR
TO PEACE
Replacing the First World War front lines
with paths of coexistence between peoples and cultures
THE NETWORK
OF MEMORY
A circuit of museums, exhibitions,
excursions and educational activities
in preparation for the centenary of the Great War
THE FORT
OF EMOTIONS
At Belvedere-Gschwent
art and new technologies
revive the experience of life
and battle in the fort
visittrentino.it
A LOOK AT HISTORY
Three important exhibitions illustrate
reconstruction work after the Great War
and the campaigns in Libya and Russia,
with a new historiographical approach
TREKKING
AMONG THE TRENCHES
Walking from the Ortles to the Marmolada
for guided insights into nature and history

www.trentinograndeguerra.it
www.visittrentino.it
www.trentinocultura.net

Replacing the fronts of the war with paths of peace.
To walk in the territories of coexistence.
To be in step with solidarity.
This is what Trentino has been doing since the dramatic
experience of the First World War.
A path of values and testimonies through the memories
of a story to be reinterpreted looking ahead is also
proposed for a tourism in search of contents, new
incentives and regeneration of the body and soul.
One of the best ways to mark the hundredth
anniversary of the Great War without being rhetorical,
but with the tranquil strength of projects oriented to a
tomorrow of agreement between peoples of different
cultures and faiths.
Lorenzo Dellai
President of the Autonomous Province of Trento
Tiziano Mellarini
President of the Trentino Marketing S.p.A.

trentino.
FROM WAR
TO PEACE
2

Rovereto Castle, seat of the Italian War History Museum
Soldiers in the front line trenches of the Great War
On the opposite page the armoured cupola of Fort
Belvedere-Gschwent on the Altopiano di Lavarone
In Trentino the memory of the Great
War is still vivid in practically every
family and even the land is still
marked by the military works of that period.
Not everyone knows the war lasted
almost a year longer here than in the rest
of Italy because, at the time, this region
was part of the Tyrol, an Austro-Hungarian
province. In fact, when the conflict
started in 1914, its citizens, soldiers of
the emperor, were sent to fight on the
Russian front, in Galicia, a region now divided
between Poland and Ukraine. Sixty
thousand left for the war and more than
eleven thousand died, while over a hundred
thousand civilians were evacuated
to Austria and Italy and two thousand,
suspected of being pro-Italian or pro-
Austrian, were interned.
A year later it was the Italians turn to
face machine-gun fire to the cry of “Avanti
Savoia” and among them were about
700 Trentino volunteers, who nursed
the Irredentist ideal, and some, like Cesare
Battisti, were hanged. Battisti’s fate
is emblematic of the contradictions this
land has seen. He was a Tyrolean subject
and Irredentist, who went to high school
in Trento and university in Florence, a
socialist member of parliament in Vienna
and Innsbruck, then a volunteer in the
Italian army, a hero for the Italians and a
traitor for the Austrians.
The territory also bears the signs of
the war having been considerably altered
from the mid-1800s onwards by
military works that still guard the passes,
paths and peaks today. Over a hundred
fortifications and hundreds of kilometres
of trenches turned Trentino into a
strategic defence point against Italy.
In a certain sense war was expected
fifty years earlier than its actual outbreak,
whereas the consequences lasted
for decades. The 1918 peace treaty,
which left many problems unsolved
throughout Europe and sowed the seeds
of the Second World War, had severe
economic repercussions on Trentino and
generated a new source of conflict with
the annexation of Alto Adige to Italy.
3

Once again a frontier land (to the
north and no longer to the south) this
time Trentino played an important international
role, that of a land experimenting
new forms of coexistence. It was its
most illustrious citizen, Alcide De Gasperi,
who, in 1946, signed the agreements
between Italy and Austria protecting the
south Tyrolean minorities. Other Trentino
politicians have since participated
in defining the new instruments of selfgovernment
that have regulated and
developed the life of the autonomous
Trentino and Alto Adige provinces.
This long-sighted commitment of farreaching
European echo, the excellent
example of coexistence and healing of
old wounds, are like seeds germinating
in the ground of the memory and devastating
experience of the war.
The decisions, consistent with this
commitment, of the governments of the
Autonomous Province of Trento and the
active institutions of research, starting
with the University and the History
Museums of Trento and Rovereto, have
given rise to centres involved in projects
for peace and international solidarity.
The huge Bell of the Fallen in Rovereto,
made by fusing the cannons of the countries
that participated in the First World
War, has become an outstanding symbol
of peace developed by the increasingly
numerous organisations in Trentino dedicated
to the subjects of coexistence and
solutions to conflicts.
The fundamental message is simple
and straightforward: if you want peace,
prepare for peace.
4

Inside the Rovereto War Museum
Above a high altitude artillery position on the front of
the Great War
On the opposite page Giovanni Sollima in a concert at
Fort Dossaccio in Paneveggio
5

THE NETWORK
OF MEMORY
The Trentino Great War Network
has been devised by cultural
groups, local institutions, museums,
tourist boards and professional
associations that dedicate part of their
time and energy to the history and memory
of the First World War. Their work
involves restoration and maintenance
projects to conserve the many signs of
the conflict present in the territory and
spread the knowledge of them through
excursions, exhibitions and publications.
A Network that collects and coordinates
many convergent initiatives will permit
the memory of the war to be an essential
part of the history of Trentino, Italy
and Europe and will also provide food for
thought in future for the contemporary
conscience.
The projects planned for 2011 include
the Circuit of the Great War Museums –
19 museums, almost all of them animated
by volunteers, situated along the old
front line as places for documenting and
interpreting the historical events that
took place there –, a provincial calendar
of guided excursions to the battlefields
and the sites of the conflict, and a photographic
exhibition entitled “War scenes.
Trentino at the end of the First World
War.” All this as the international event of
the 100th anniversary of the Great War
begins to appear on the horizon.
A brochure entitled “Museums and
the Great War”, a guide and a website:
www.trentinograndeguerra.it, provide
further information, which includes
opening times, events and short films.
6

the fort
of EMOtIONs
The one and only fort on the Altipiani
di Folgaria, Lavarone and
Luserna to have survived intact
the passage of history still holds many
memories within its walls: from the battles
of the Great War to the mutilations
in peacetime.
A long story of more than one hundred
years that is now adding another
chapter with The Fort of Emotions: sensitive
multimedia environments for military
architecture in peacetime.
The project highlights the outstanding
heritage of Fort Belvedere-Gschwent
along a route devised and made by
Studio Azzurro, one of the most accredited
international realities in the field of
new creative languages based on the relationship
between culture, art and multimedia
technology.
The rooms, the underground passages,
the casemates and the bastions
of the fort come to life with the echo
of voices, commands and sounds, while
beacons appear and disappear in the
air and even the roar of the cannons
is heard. Moments in the daily life and
battles revived with interactive installations
that enable the visitor to fully
comprehend the reality of the soldiers
of this First World War front and, at the
same time, to personally experiment the
complexity and defence systems of this
authentic fort on the road to Trento.
The Fort of Emotions has been
populated, since summer 2008, with
characters and scenery, presences and
situations. The Sentinels, a system of
personal guides in the galleries with
video projections of the significant moments
in the life of the fort, have been
followed by the Animated 3D Model, a
three dimensional reconstruction of the
fort and the surrounding territory and
the Sounds of the Howitzers, real cannons
creating noises, explosions and
also cries, commands, remarks, fits of
coughing and breathing muffled by the
gas masks.
On the second floor the Eyes of Light
recreates the optical telegraph, a communication
system linking the forts on
the plateau with the station on Mount
Rust. The installation consists of a Communication
Table that can be rotated
by the public to bring it in line with the
openings of the optical telegraph and
create flashes or code messages by interrupting
the bands of light.
The Diaries of the Machine-gun Nests
and The Angel of the Alpine Soldiers enhance
and complete the project entitled
“The Fort of Emotions”.
Installations in Fort Belvedere-Gschwent
The former occupies three posts and
transforms history and actions by replacing
the bullets with rays of light, the
lines of fire with steel wires, the silence
and oblivion with images of faces and
vocal thoughts and words of those who
experienced this war. Lastly it looks at
the enemy troops no longer with hostility,
but simply as participants of the
same tragic experience in The Angel of
the Alpine Soldiers, an installation that
has been set up on the rock ledge falling
steeply to the “Italian” Val d’Astico. Here
the stories and beautiful texts by Piero
Jahier and Mario Rigoni Stern, recited by
female voices, interact with the splendid
natural scenery.
8

A BASTION ON THE ROAD
TO TRENTO
Fort Belvedere-Gschwent in Lavarone
stands on a rock spur dominating the Val
d’Astico below and, with six other forts
situated on the Altipiani di Folgaria,
Lavarone, Luserna and Vezzena, was
part of a sophisticated defence system
to prevent any attempt by the Italians
to break through the front line. The
fort was built by the Austro-Hungarian
army between 1908 and 1912 and was
designed to resist even fierce artillery
attacks for a long time.
Luckily it did not follow the same fate
as the other fortifications, due first of
all to King Vittorio Emanuele III who,
when he visited the Front of the Forts in
1935, expressed the wish that at least
one of them should remain standing.
Then, in 1996, the Lavarone Commune
and the Autonomous Province of Trento
carried out conservative restorations
on it. Since 1999 it has become a
modern and updated history museum
featuring the Great War. It is run, with a
deeply European and pacifist spirit, by
the Belvedere-Gschwent Foundation,
set up by the Lavarone Commune
in collaboration with the Tiroler
Kaiserjägerbund of Innsbruck.
Info: +39 0464 780005 724144
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A LOOK
AT HISTORY
Three important historical exhibitions will open in 2011 in
Trentino. These three exhibition tours will describe specific
moments in national and local history from the end
of the First World War and the birth of the Italian Republic. Once
again, the aim is to focus on taking a new look at little-known
themes and new historiographical interpretations, for example,
“War scenes” which focuses on the return from the front line and
the reconstruction of Trentino after the Great War; “The Libya
War”(1911-1930) and “Trento – Voronezh: return to the Don. From
the clash of civilizations to the construction of a collective memory
of the Russian war.”
War scenes
“War scenes. Trentino at the end of the
First World War” is the name of an important
exhibition planned for September
2011 in Trento by Fondazione Museo
Storico del Trentino (Trentino History
Museum Foundation) and by Rete Trentino
Grande Guerra (Trentino Great War
Network) in the Gallerie di Piedicastello
(Piedicastello Tunnels). The name of the
exhibition refers to the after-war period
when tens of thousands of soldiers and
refugees returned home from the front
line, refugee camps and imprisonment
to a devastated country with houses in
ruins, war remains scattered throughout
the countryside, trenches and graves.
Although struck by the appalling human
loss and extreme hardship, the
Trentino community began to rebuild,
repair the least damaged buildings, fill
in trenches, gather the buried, recuperate
abandoned war materials and start
producing again with the assistance of
the Italian army divisions. It is a picture
of Trentino ravaged by bombings and
fires, marked by the permanent presence
of the opposing armies, destruction
and devastation, in which the first
signs of reconstruction were visible and
the hardened faces of the protagonists
of that period. The “War scenes. Trentino
at the end of the First World War” project
was started in 2010 and continues into
2011. It is divided into 12 different photographic
exhibitions, each one dedicated
to a segment of the Trentino territory
crossed by the front line. When visiting
it, you can discover the destruction of
the war, wooden huts, the blank faces
of children wandering among remains
of walls and piles of rubble, scaffolding
erected among buildings, soldiers and
civilians cooperating after four years
of belligerence; the protagonists of an
important visual documentary that has
already been hosted in Val di Sole, Valle
del Chiese, Valle di Ledro, Alto Garda, Vallagarina,
Altipiani di Folgaria, Lavarone
and Luserna, Valsugana, Vanoi and Valle
di Fiemme.
A mosaic of an exhibition
in 12 different contexts
In 2011, the new exhibition planned for
the Gallerie di Piedicastello di Trento
will be an important final event, which
will ideally piece together the mosaic of
images of Trentino struck by the war, at
the time of its reconstruction.
Info www.trentinograndeguerra.it
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The Libyan War
1911-1930
The 100th anniversary of the beginning
of the Italo-Turkish war will be commemorated
by the Museo della Guerra
(War Museum) in Rovereto, with a photographic
exhibition, relics and other
materials.
It was a highly ambitious colonial war
for the “young” Kingdom of Italy (at that
time it had reached its first fifty years),
which wanted to establish itself as a
military power in Europe and the Mediterranean.
The event was the culmination of a
decade of important economic and social
changes. In Italy public opinion was
aroused and the Italians were emotionally
involved (who cannot remember the
song entitled “Tripoli bel suol d’amore”?).
Italy won the war in 1912 and the territory
of northern Africa, that is, Cyrenaica,
Tripolitania, Rhodes and the Dodecanese
islands were handed over to the
Kingdom of Italy. The conflict continued,
however, with episodes of resistance by
the peoples, who, during the First World
War, reduced the territory under Italian
control to a few towns along the coast. In
the post-war period and throughout the
1920s, conflicts were intensified, making
recapture by the Italian forces difficult,
costly and bloody.
That “place in the sun” was finally
lost at the end of the disastrous Second
World War into which Italy was led by
fascism in 1940.
The war was full of dramatic consequences:
defeat weakened the Turkish
empire, it sparked nationalism in the
Balkan states, which were struck in rapid
succession by two bloody and brutal
wars, especially among its civilian populations,
the Muslims in particular. The attack
in Sarajevo on 28th June 1914 was
not alien to that climate of instability and
violence that the wars had left behind.
The Libyan War
The exhibition, to be held at the Castle
of Rovereto from May 2011 to spring
2012, retraces the events of the war
and illustrates - in a section organised
by Enrico Sturani - the colonial
imaginary of the people via iconography
reproduced in the form of illustrated
postcards and other materials of the
same period. The exhibition will be
accompanied by meetings and a series
of films about colonialism.
Info www.museodellaguerra.it.
11

Fronte Orientale, inverno 1943.
Colonna di soldati italo-tedeschi
in ritirata dal Don
Return to the Don
The films, accounts, memories, the collective
imaginary of many Italians and
the events of the Royal Italian Army in
Russia during the Second World War are
now the theme of an important exhibition
to be held at Gallerie di Piedicastello
in Trento, from November 2011 to September
2012. This exhibition has a very
symbolic title: “Trento – Voronezh: return
to the Don. From a conflict between civilizations
to the creation of a collective
memory of the Russian war”.
This exhibition has been made possible
thanks to the gradual release of the
Archives of the Red Army, to the cooperation
of Fondazione Museo Storico del
Trentino with VGAU University of Voronezh
– a centre of excellence for the study
of the “satellite” armies of the Reich – and
to a new multicultural approach of national
historiography on such a delicate
subject. It is not just another variation on
a theme, however, due to the exclusive
rare testimony offered for the first time,
such as the last Italian military postal
collection which never reached its destination,
to the perspective on what happened
which is no longer merely limited
to the players concerned, and finally to
those events which give rise to the input
and interpretations of the subsequent
political and social development of Italy.
Hence, the exhibition at Gallerie di Piedicastello
will be divided into two complementary
tours: the first will focus on the
wartime events of the CSIR - the Italian
Expeditionary Corps in Russia – and the
ARMIR - the Italian Army in Russia -, from
the invasion in the summer of 1941 to
the final encounter, in which a hundredthousand
Italian soldiers were killed at
the Don; the second will be dedicated
to the post-war outcome of this tragic
experience in Russia on Italian society
and politics. In addition to this, there will
be video testimonies, slide shows, concerts,
themed meetings and a portrayal
of the 20-year Italo-Russian Operation
Smile project by ANA (Italian Association
of Alpine Soldiers) in Rossosh’, as well as
intergovernmental programmes for the
exhumation of the dead, and study trips
for schools in Trentino to the Don.
Info www.museostorico.tn.it
Fronte Orientale, inverno 1942-1943.
Automezzo nella steppa
In alto Trento, estate 1942.
Partenza del corpo alpino per il Fronte
Orientale
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A MEMORIAL PARK
FROM THE SMALL DolomitES
TO THE extensive
high plains
Una torretta corazzata del forte Belvedere-Gschwent
Missili NATO - Base Tuono, Passo Coe
Just imagine what could unite valleys,
mountains and high plains
other than the mere and foreseeable
fact of belonging to the same region.
This led to the creation of a Memorial
Park, thanks to observing original characteristics,
historic paths and experiences,
and traditions that have accumulated
over the centuries. This ongoing project
arouses interest and offers a network
of cultural resources from an extensive
geographical area, which includes the
Trentino-Vicenza area, as well as thirty
municipalities and three mountain communities
of Altipiani Cimbri, Sette Comuni,
Alto Astico and Posina.
It provides an important opportunity to
experience the birth of an inter-regional
“cultural” park via the examination and
monitoring of current resources and assets
and the creation of promotional projects.
Shortly, a network of the historic
heritage of the First World War will be
established. It will include the front
line and the fortifications that extend
from Pasubio to Ortigara, as well as the
strongholds of the Trentino and Vicenza
areas. In addition, meetings and conferences
will be organized about the Great
War.
A second investigative strand concerns
the exhibition entitled “Feuer!
Important anti-partisan operations in
the summer of 1944 in Veneto and
Trentino.” This exhibition, organized by
Fondazione Museo Storico del Trentino
takes a look at the Second World War and
the Italian resistance movement in these
territories. After being set up at Maso
Spilzi in Costa di Folgaria in 2010, it will
be hosted at three other venues including
Schio in April 2011.
Finally, back towards the present, the
Trentino-Vicenza area is, once again, the
protagonist of history with the Cold War
years this time and the presence of Nike
missiles at Base Tuono at Passo Coe.
Here is an opportunity to evaluate the
effects on the local communities of the
international political events and tensions
that have marked a significant part
of the second half of the 20th century.
Info www.museostorico.tn.it
13

THE RECOVERY
OF THE MEMORY
In the 1990s a number of important
initiatives were set in motion to recuperate
the memory of the Great War.
The then provincial Service of Cultural
Heritage promoted a project to catalogue
the 114 Austro-Hungarian fortifications
of Trentino, including those
found only in the records of the archives
and those planned, but never built. In the
meantime the Service of Cultural Heritage
and the Trento and Rovereto history
museums began to think about recovering
and enhancing the military works existing
in the Trentino region.
In the new millennium the Superintendency
for Architectural Heritage
started some pilot projects for the restoration
of some forts of particular historic
importance and location: Fort Dossaccio
in the Paneveggio Pale di San Martino
Nature Park, Fort Col delle Benne in Levico
and Fort Pozzacchio between Trambileno
and Vallarsa. Fort Bus de Vela in
Cadine, on the outskirts of Trento, was
also restored to house the Information
Centre of the Trentino fortification system,
which, due to its location, will become
the point of departure for those
who wish to follow the tracks of the
Great War.
Other work involves listing the fieldworks
on Mount Zugna, the project to
enhance the Tagliata del Ponale, the
recuperation of Fort Tenna, the conservation
of the Hapsburg stones in the
Marocche of Nago and the monument to
the Austrian fallen in the Trento cemetery,
the restoration of the Austro-Hungarian
cemetery in Bondo, the project of
restoration of the Monument at Malga
Sorgazza in Tesino, the recuperation,
restoration and enhancement, in agreement
with the Province and Mountain
Community of Vicenza, of the historic
heritage of the First World War on Pasubio,
the restoration of the ossuarychurch
of Santo Stefano in Bezzecca, in
agreement with the Ministry of Defence
and the Commune, studies on the fortification
landscape of the Lardaro barrier
defence and on the recuperation of the
forts on the Altipiani, a memory trail in
the Adamello-Presanella chain, the invention
of a logo and signposts and the
organisation of theme conferences.
The Superintendency for Historic
and Artistic Heritage has restored two
important relics, the Skoda 10.4 Cannon
built in Pilsen in 1917 that emerged from
the ice on Adamello in 2003 and the Nieuport
Macchi NI 10, a two-seater reconnaissance
and training aeroplane of the
Italian air force, belonging to the Italian
War History Museum in Rovereto, where
it is now on show to the public.
The Superintendency for Book, Archival
and Archaeological Heritage collaborates
in the recuperation of copies, regarding
Trentino fortifications, found in
the Austrian and Italian history archives
and has begun an important debate on
the use of the archaeological discipline
as an important aid in documentation
and enhancement of the memory of the
Great War.
14

THE DEPARTMENT
PROTECTING PROPERTY AND
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Nieuport Macchi NI 10, collection in the Rovereto
War Museum
Above the project of the barricade at Bus de Vela
On the opposite page restoration work on the ruins
of a small tower of the Folgaria Fort
Among its direct competences, the
Autonomous Province of Trento also
manages the protection of the cultural
property and for this purpose has set
up a specific department responsible
for many subjects: protection and
conservation of the historic, artistic and
folk heritage, local uses and customs,
cultural provincial institutions, libraries,
academies, institutes, museums, artistic
and educational events and activities,
toponymy.
The department is divided into
sections: Service of Cultural Activities,
Superintendency for Architectural
Heritage, Superintendency for Book,
Archival and Archaeological Heritage,
Superintendency for Historic-Artistic
Heritage.
15

THE HISTORICAL
HERITAGE
ON THE WEB
Every year Trentino offers a great
number of events and opportunities
to see the sites, images and
memorials of the Great War.
The website www.trentinograndeguerra.it
shows all these initiatives and provides
news and information on events and
projects that would otherwise appear
isolated and fragmentary.
The site is for history enthusiasts,
tourists, researchers and teachers who
want to know what can be visited today
and what is being done to highlight this
heritage.
It is organised in sections. One features
the Fortifications and gives fact
files and insights into the works built
by the Austro-Hungarian army and the
places of memory: cemeteries, war memorials
and monuments to the fallen.
The section Proposals gives information
on events, exhibitions, concerts,
theme evenings, shows and suggestions
for visits and excursions in the
area. It also draws particular attention
to the educational proposals for school
children organised by the Trentino history
museums.
The section Subjects provides information
on the main promoters of these
improvements and the documentation
of the numerous projects set in motion
in recent years. A photographic gallery
and instruments are available for those
who wish to examine the subject: bibliography,
webography, glossary, references
of a legislative nature.
The site, promoted by the Department
of Culture of the Autonomous
Province of Trento, is prepared by the
Italian War History Museum of Rovereto.
www.trentinograndeguerra.it
16

Inside the Rovereto War Museum
Below educational activity in the trenches
at Matassone di Vallarsa
WEAPONS, UNIFORMS,
MEMORABILIA, LETTERS
AND DIARIES.
NOT TO FORGET
The Italian War History Museum,
housed in the fifteenth-century castle
in Rovereto, was founded in the years
immediately after the war and is one of
the most famous “sites of memory” in
Italy. Over the years citizens, veterans,
families of ex-servicemen, associations
and public institutions have donated
important documents and relics to the
museum.
Its rooms preserve and display objects
used in the trenches, weapons,
uniforms, posters, photographs and
paintings, decorations, letters and
diaries of the First World War and
other items. The new rooms, opened in
2008, contain records of weapons and
soldiers from Napoleon to the Great War
and a rare example of a Nieuport 10, a
reconnaissance and training aeroplane
of the Italian air force.
The large air-raid shelter, made at the
foot of the castle during the Second
World War, hosts the artillery section.
The museum organises temporary
exhibitions, prepares many publications
and promotes many educational
activities.
17

DOLOMITES, SOUNDS
AND TESTIMONIES
OF COEXISTENCE
Dolomites of Peace is a tourist
itinerary that, since 2005, has
promoted meetings with writers,
journalist, philosophers, musicians, actors,
clergymen, experts and humanitarian
operators who provoke thoughts on
how to build peace today, on what can
be done in everyday life to raise awareness
of problems like poverty, hunger,
health, the environment, education, the
coexistence between peoples and culture,
because a holiday is also a time for
enrichment, knowledge, interior growth
and regeneration of the spirit apart from
the body.
All this unwinds along the Path of
Peace, the 350 kilometres of the front
line of the Great War from the Marmolada
to Passo dello Stelvio passing Rovereto
and the Bell of the Fallen.
strong connection between the places
of war and words of peace, between
a land that was able to treat the wounds
inflicted by weapons and the eyes of
those who see those wounds healed
every day in countries worldwide. The
Dolomites of Peace project stands for a
crossroads of culture, thoughts, testimonies,
stimuli, sounds and colours from
all continents.
Past editions have included the
thoughts of writers including Alessandro
Baricco and Erri de Luca, of philosophers
including Giulio Giorello, and of
well-known actors and directors including
Moni Ovadia and Gabriele Vacis. As an
increasingly universal way of expressing
the wealth of the world and dialogue between
cultures, the Dolomites of Peace
project has never forgotten the universal
language of music and its protagonists:
including the singers Yungchen Lhamo
from Tibet and Simphiwe Dana from
South Africa, the multi-ethnic combo of
Radiodervish and the Orchestra of Piazza
Vittorio, as well as Djivan Gasparyan,
Angelique Kidjo and Noa.
Admission free
www.isuonidelledolomiti.it
18

Simphiwe Dana at Fort Sommo Alto
Above Nicola Piovani in a concert at Fort Sommo Alto
on the Altopiano di Folgaria
On the opposite page Alessandro Baricco
at Fort Dossaccio
19

THE BELL
OF HARMONY
BETWEEN PEOPLES
Maria Dolens, the Bell of the
Fallen and Peace, was made,
thanks to the priest of Rovereto
Don Antonio Rossaro, just after the
Great War as an eternal symbol to condemn
the conflict, the reconciliation of
consciences, and brotherhood of men.
Made of bronze from the cannons offered
by the countries that took part in
the First World War, the bell rang for the
first time on 4th October 1925. Measuring
3.21 metres in diameter and weighing
22.639 tons, Maria Dolens is the largest
pealing bell in the world. Beautifully
decorated on the outside, the bell is engraved
with two thoughts: one by Pope
Pious XII, “Nulla è perduto con la pace.
Tutto può essere perduto con la Guerra”
(Nothing is lost with peace. Everything
may be lost with war), and the other by
Pope John XXIII, “In pace hominum ordinata
concordia et tranquilla libertas” (In
peace ordered harmony and the serene
freedom of man). Words by Don Antonio
Rossaro surround the top of the bell, culminating
in “dum aere jungo populous”
(while the bronze unites the peoples),
admirably summing up the mission of
peace of the Bell.
Every evening, from Colle di Miravalle,
the Bell of the Fallen tolls one hundred
times in remembrance of the soldiers
and civilians killed in wars around the
world, uniting peoples and countries in
an ideal embrace of brotherhood and
peace. Up to today, 86 flags from five
continents, the U.N.O. flag, the Council of
Europe flag and the Roma/Sinti peoples’
flag, a new addition, fly in this location
of extremely high political and symbolic
value, expressing day and night, a historic
and transcendent universal vocation,
peace and cooperation.
On 18th January 1968, a Presidential
Decree established the Bell of the Fallen
Foundation, a non-profit making organization.
On 10th May 2006, the Foundation
obtained a partnership of the European
Council whereas in August 2009, it
was granted special consultation status
at ECOSOC - the Economic and Social
Council at the United Nations. The Foundation
carries out its work on an international
scale while maintaining strong
ties with the local area, via conferences,
events, exhibitions and artistic venues
mainly to promote a culture of peace and
dialogue between peoples and nations.
Special attention is focused on teaching
young boys and girls, the citizens and
governors of the future, the culture of
peace. The Observatory on the Balkans
and Caucasus, the International Prize of
the “Town of Peace”, Inter-Religious Dialogue
Meetings, the Children’s Congress,
collaboration with ISODARCO – the international
school on disarmament and
research into conflicts – and scientists
working towards disarmament, and the
International Composition Contest “Instruments
of Peace” are all part of the
Foundation, which is an international
location for examining all aspects of the
theme of peace: cultural, religious and
political.
+39 0464 434412
www.fondazioneoperacampana.org
20

The Peace Bell on Colle di Miravalle
21

WALKING AMONG
THE TRENCHES
AND BATTLEFIELDS
Between 1915 and 1918 the suburban
areas of Trentino became
battlefields and thousands of
soldiers transformed the mountains into
places where they had to live as well as
fight. The Trentino front stretched for
about 350 km from the Ortles to the
Marmolada, traversing the Presena and
Adamello group, the Giudicarie mountains
and Valle di Ledro, the mountain
groups of southern Trentino (Baldo,
Zugna, Pasubio) the Altipiani di Folgaria,
Lavarone and Luserna, the Lagorai chain
and the Lusia-Bocche, Monzoni and Costabella
groups.
Walking in these mountains it is not
unusual to come across military constructions
and works: fortifications,
trenches and communication trenches,
ruins of barracks and military villages. Often
the paths and mule-tracks follow the
road network made by the armies. However,
it is not easy to recognise these
historical tracks eroded by time and it is
even harder to reconstruct the military
events in which they were involved.
For this reason excursions are organised
in various areas of Trentino with a
history expert, who illustrates the peculiarities
of the territory and describes the
events that took place there.
The excursions are promoted by the Apts,
the cultural associations and local museums
listed in the section Proposals on the website
www.trentinograndeguerra.it. Among
the promoters are the History Committee
of the SAT, the Tridentine Alpinists
Association.
In Val di Sole guided visits are organised
to Fort Strino and the defence barrier on
Tonale.
The more competent walker can admire
the high altitude scenery on Adamello
and discover what the retreating glacier
has brought to light.
In Val Giudicarie visits to Fort Larino, Fort
Corno and the monumental cemetery of
Bondo are organised and history excursions
to Cima Pissola, Val di Daone and
the Malga Clef cemetary.
In Val di Ledro the excursions go to interesting
historical sites, not only of the
First World War, but also of the Garibaldian
events of the Third War of Independence.
In Upper Garda it is possible to visit the
fortifications of the defence barrier of
Riva del Garda: Forte Garda, Batteria di
Mezzo, Tagliata del Ponale.
Vallagarina and the Altopiano di Brentonico
offer a rich calendar of hikes in
the battlefields on the Baldo, Zugna
and Pasubio mountains and along the
trenches in Val di Gresta.
On the Altipiani di Folgaria, Lavarone and
Luserna guided visits are arranged to
the zone of the forts and excursions to
the scenes of the Strafexpedition.
Similar outings go to Lagorai and Vanoi,
in particular to Monte Cauriol.
In the area of the Dolomites it is possible
to visit the high altitude trenches on
Cima Bocche, Passo San Pellegrino and
Costabella.
The site www.trentinograndeguerra.it
gives an updated calendar of the excursions
with a history expert and a short
fact file for each itinerary: route, degree
of difficulty, organisation agency, telephone
numbers and possible participation
tariffs.
22

GUIDED VISITS, TREKKING
WORKSHOPS
FOR THE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
OF SCHOOLS
Educational activity in the Matassone trenches
Above trenches on Mount Altissimo of Nago
On the left the Road of Heroes on Mount Pasubio
Trentino offers plenty of ideas for teachers
and students who want to study the subject
of the Great War. For years some museums
have been organising educational activities
and they collaborate with the teachers in
the preparation of special projects. These
include history workshops, visits to museums
and temporary exhibitions, excursions to the
trenches and monuments.
The students are accompanied on the
itineraries to discover Trentino and to
interpret the signs that still demonstrate
today its involvement during the First World
War.
Info
www.trentinograndeguerra.it.
23

A TRAIL OF 350 KM
ON THE FRONT OF PEACE
Three hundred and fifty kilometres
along the front of the First
World War. A memory trail to discover
the forts, trenches, strongholds,
military roads and “citadels”, where the
Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies
fought against each other from 1915 to
1918.
A path of peace to reflect on the madness
of war, of all wars, and to make
peace with an incredible nature, once
scarred by war, but now protected in
all its beauty and serene regenerative
force.
In thirty-three separate stages, from
Passo del Tonale to Riva del Garda, from
Mori to Rovereto, from Pian delle Fugazze
to Caldonazzo, from Paneveggio
to the Marmolada, the trail can be approached
without any problem on a quiet
and peaceful hike (in some sections
also on mountain bike) in the mountains,
guided and accompanied by the symbol
of a dove, yellow when drawn on a rock,
white when carved on wood.
An opportunity to enrich the holiday
with new environmental and cultural incentives.
Another way to regain, step by
step, tranquillity in body and spirit. With
the hope that, as in Trentino, the war
fronts the world over will be replaced
with paths of peace.
Fort Pozzacchio
Above Presanella
24

AN IDEA TO RECOVER HISTORY
AND PROVIDE WORK
FOR THE UNEMPLOYED
The idea of a Path of Peace was
conceived in 1986 by the Autonomous
Province of Trento to recuperate the
immense historical heritage that was
rapidly decaying and to provide work for
labourers temporarily unemployed.
The task was carried out by the
provincial Labour Exchange with
a special employment project to
enhance the tourist, ecological and
environmental potential of Trentino.
Trenches on Panarotta at Passo Portela
Above trenches on the Rocchetta of Riva del Garda
25

THE CULTURE
OF PEACE
AND SOLIDARITY
26

When the promotion of peace
and concrete aid to countries
impoverished or torn by conflicts
is involved, Trentino is up-front,
thanks to a widespread network of institutions
and associations that often work
together for the same important objective.
There are many projects of international
solidarity carried on by the over
200 voluntary organisations present in
Trentino, mostly working in Africa, but
also in Latin America, Asia, the Balkans
and more generally in Eastern Europe,
with the support of the Autonomous
Province of Trento – Department of International
Solidarity. On average about
150 to 180 projects a year are financed,
which currently amounts to around 11
million euro.
An important figure, which is doubled
by the funds the same associations
manage to collect privately with donations
and various kinds of initiatives. The
Trentino province is a public body that
– compared with other Italian regions
– appropriates the most funds in this
field. With the new law these funds are
fixed in at least 0.25% of the provincial
budget. Furthermore, tables have been
created to organise decentralized cooperation
with Mozambique, Serbia, Bosnia
and Kosovo.
There is also the new training centre
of international solidarity. This centre,
which became operative in 2009 and
inherited the experience developed by
the Bell of the Fallen Opera Foundation
of Rovereto, is a point of reference for
all the organisations working in the field
of cooperation for the development and
promotion of peace and human rights.
Its mission is twofold: on the one hand to
coordinate the training activities already
existent in Trentino, favouring synergy
and collaboration, on the other to act
as the driving force for increasing and
innovating the offer of training and refresher
courses, also by building territorial
partnerships. The project is based on
the awareness that solidarity is not only
a question of good intentions or resources.
Volunteers and co-operators, as well
as associations and public institutions,
are increasingly required to have specific
technical knowledge - and also political,
juridical, economic, anthropological competence,
etc. – in the various fields they
operate in.
27

The commitment goes back a long
way. Almost every village in Trentino has
some missionaries in difficult or critical
areas of the world. The On the Routes of
the World event, the second edition was
held in 2010, is dedicated to missionaries
- over 500, spread throughout five
continents. It calls on all missionaries
who work in Asia and Oceania (the previous
year it focused on Africa) to meet local
communities, especially young people.
The 2011 event will be dedicated to
missionaries in South America.
The Balkan wars of the nineties and
the enormous mobilization involved led
to the creation, in 2000, of the Observatory
on the Balkans and Caucasus. Today
it features as a specialist press agency
able to offer, also thanks to the portal
www.osservatoriobalcani.org, a view of
these countries torn by conflicts and violence
for so long.
Since 2004, the Ocse Centre of Trento,
the first institute far from its headquarters
in Paris, has been developing,
with the programme Leed, initiatives in
the field of local development, in an attempt
to reinforce relations between
public administrations, operators and
scientific communities.
But in Trentino there are many other activities
working on these subjects. Worth
mentioning is the festival Religion Today,
an international showcase of religious
films that has been organised for over ten
years and become a precious instrument
for dialogue between various regions of
the world. In the field of information, instead,
the site www.unimondo.org has
made Trento the Italian core of the international
network Oneworld, the first world
network of human rights and sustainable
development.
The activities of aid for development,
headed by the provincial department
of international solidarity and coexistence,
are closely correlated with those
oriented to hospitality for immigrants
and peaceful coexistence among the
diverse cultures in Trentino. Immigrants
are assisted by the Cinformi, an association
created to help foreign citizens with
all the paperwork for residence permits,
employment and public services.
28

Supportive activity in Bolivia
Kenya and Somalia
29

Italian soldiers on Mount Baldo. In the background Lake Garda
30

WHERE TO READ
HISTORY
The Trentino network of the First World
War includes 19 large and small museums
situated behind the fortification
lines of the old front, in the valleys and
mountains on the Lombardy and Veneto
borders, or in the towns of Rovereto and
Trento.
Behind them are the sites of the conflict.
Entrenchments, high mountains
and majestic peaks, permanent fortifications
and field-works, where enthusiastic
volunteers, who have chosen to
dedicate their lives to this task, gathered
the instruments and documents of that
bloody war, endured in extreme climatic
and environmental conditions, and have
now displayed them in museums.
A depliant that visitors can find in the
museums, Apt and Pro Loco offices, or
in the hotels – provides essential information
for those who wish to go from
one museum to another to discover the
geographical complexity of the memory
of the Great War, or choose the one featuring
the events in the area where they
are staying.
The same is true for the activities of
the Trentino eco-museums. Environment,
culture, history and knowledge
linked to the local traditions constitute a
heritage that unites all the communities
in the area and offers educational cues
of great importance.
32

An assault squad attacking a trench
On the opposite page inside the Bianca Adamellina
Recuperanti War Museum in Val Rendena
and the Rovereto War Museum
THE TRENTINO NETWORK
OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR MUSEUMS
1. PEJO 1914-1918:
La guerra sulla porta
Pejo paese
Contains war memorabilia found in
the Ortles-Cevedale mountains and
everyday objects used by the soldiers
of both lines.
Open:at Christmastime, Easter and from 15
June to 15 September every day 10-12 and
16-19,from January to March on Wednesdays
10-12 and on Thursdays 17-19. In other periods
prior booking.
Info: +39 348 7400942
www.museopejo.it
2. Museo della Guerra Bianca
Vermiglio
In a renewed display, it conserves the
war memorabilia of Emilio Serra, an
indefatigable recuperant of testimonies
of the Great War. Guided tours of
the forts of the Tonale defence barrier
are organised in the summer months.
Open: from Monday to Saturday 9-12 and
15-18, July-August every day 9-12 and 15-18.
Info: +39 0463 758200
www.associazionestoriaememoria.it
www.vermigliovacanze.it
3. FORTe Strino
Vermiglio
The first of the Austro-Hungarian
forts built in upper Val Vermiglio
houses today a permanent exhibition
featuring the White War and displays
of contemporary art. Guided tours of
the forts of the Tonale defence barrier
are organised in the summer months.
Open: from 13 June to 19 September
9.30-12.30 and 14.30-17.30, from 18 July
to 31 August 9.30-18.30.
Info: +39 0463 758200
www.associazionestoriaememoria.it
www.vermigliovacanze.it
4. Museo della Guerra Bianca
Adamellina “Recuperanti
IN Val Rendena”
Spiazzo Rendena
The large collection, prepared by
the historic-cultural association of
the Adamello White War 1915-18,
presents war relics and material, personal
belongings, clothes, sledges
and skis found on the Adamello-Carè
Alto front line.
Open: from 20 July to 20 September Friday and
Sunday 20-22, Saturday 16-18 and 20-22.
Info: +39 0465 801544
www.museograndeguerra.com
5. Museo della Grande Guerra
IN valle del chiese
Bersone
Displays a large collection of war materials,
uniforms and relics found in
the Adamello glaciers. It has an interesting
reconstruction of an Italian
barracks used in the high mountains
and the entrance to an Austro-Hungarian
tunnel used as a shelter and
storeroom for the troops.
Open: from 10 July to 20 August Tuesday,
Thursday and Sunday 20.30-22.30.
In other periods prior booking.
Info: +39 320 0767807
www.visitchiese.it
6. Museo Garibaldino
Bezzecca
Conserves relics of the Third War of
Independence and of the First World
War and testimonies of the forced
exodus of the civilians to Bohemia. In
the vicinity, the historic park of Colle
di Santo Stefano with the military Ossary
church and the Italian trenches.
Open: from 1 June to 30 September 10-12 and
14.30-19. In other periods prior booking.
Info: +39 0464 508182
www.palafitteledro.it
www.museostorico.tn.it
33

Mount Pasubio, Forni Alti.
Cannon positions of 1489 A
On the opposite page wire netting
below Castelaz
7. MUSEO DI RIVA DEL GARDA
Located in the historic-artistic section
of the Rocca, it houses material relative
to the military events in the Upper
Garda zone.
Open: from 26 March to 1 November Tuesday-
Sunday 10-12.30 and 13.30-18; from June to
September Monday-Sunday 10-12.30 and
13.30-18, from 15 December toy8 January
Tuesday-Sunday 10-12.30; 13.30-18;7closed
on 24 (in the afternoon), 25, 26 and 31 (in the
afternoon) December.and 1 January.
Info: +39 0464 573869
www.comune.rivadelgarda.tn.it/museo
8. Museo Storico Italiano
DELLA Guerra
Rovereto
Dedicated since its foundation to war
history, its main theme is the First
World War, of which it conserves and
displays important collections of material.
It has sections featuring cold
steel and firearms of the 15th to 20th
centuries and the Second World War.
Open: from Tuesday to Sunday 10-18, closed
on 24, 25, 31 December, 1 January. Artillery
section of the Great War visitable from May to
November.
Info: +39 0464 438100
www.museodellaguerra.it
9. Museo Forte Belvedere-Gschwent
Lavarone
Among the largest and best preserved
forts of the Great War, it houses
a modern museum with relics and
interactive multimedia installations.
It illustrates the history of the fort, its
garrison and the military events that
involved the plateaus.
Open: April, May, June, September, from
Tuesday to Sunday 10-12 and 14.30-18, July
and August every day 10-18. In other periods
prior booking.
Info: +39 0464 780005
www.fortebelvedere.org
10. centro documentazione
luserna
luserna
The war events that involved the
territory of the Altipiani di Folgaria,
Lavarone and Luserna and the system
of forts between Folgaria and Asiago
are illustrated in a large room. Guided
tours of the nearby Fort Luserna are
organised in the summer months.
Open: April to the beginning of November
every day 10-12 and 14.30-17.30.
Info: +39 0464 789638
www.lusern.it
11. Mostra permanente della
Grande Guerra in Valsugana
E sul Lagorai
Borgo VALSUGANA
Prepared by the historic-cultural association
of Eastern Valsugana and
Tesino, it provides a rich display of
exhibits relative to the war fought on
the Altopiano dei Sette Comuni, Valsugana
and the Lagorai-Cima d’Asta
chain.
Open: January-February prior booking,
spring and autumn: Wednesday 9-12,
Saturday - Sunday 10-12 and 15-18.30,
summer season: Wednesday 9-12,
Friday 15-18.30, Saturday - Sunday 10–12
and 15-18.30.
Info: +39 0461 757195, 754052
www.mostradiborgo.it
12. Mostra permanente
DELLA Grande Guerra
Sul Lagorai 1914-1918
caoria
The historic memories of the battles
in Lagorai and testimonies of the vicissitudes
of the population of Caoria:
for the men, the war fought wearing
the Austro-Hungarian uniform and for
the civilians, the drama of evacuation.
Open: from 15 June to 15 September every day
14-18. In other periods prior booking.
Info: +39 340 3496317
www.alpinicaoria.it
34

13. Collezione di cimeli
DEL Rifugio Cauriol
Ziano di Fiemme
Strategic departure point for excursions
to Cauriol, Cardinal and Busa
Alta: the scene of bitter fighting in
the summer-autumn of 1916. On display
war memorabilia gathered in Val
Sàdole and Ziano by Aldo Zorzi.
Open: from June to October.
Info: +39 348 5161123
www.visitfiemme.it
14. “Sul fronte dei ricordi”
moena
This association with its museum in
Someda, prepares and enhances the
Costabella-Cima-Bocche front and
the permanent photographic exhibition
“War to War”.
Open: from 1 July to 11 September 10-12.30
and 16.30-19. In other periods prior booking.
Info: +39 334 8222082
15. Museo della Grande Guerra
1915-1918
Passo Fedaia
A large collection of war relics in perfect
condition, mostly found on the
Marmolada front after the retreat
of the glacier. Film shows and a well
stocked specialist bookshop.
Open: from mid-May to the first week of
October 10-12.30 and 14-17.
Closed on Tuesdays.
Info: +39 0462 601181, +39 347 7972356
16. MusEo Nazionale Storico
DEGLI Alpini
Trento
Situated on the rock dominating the
city it displays relics, weapons and
photographs documenting the history
of the Alpine Soldiers Corps, from
its foundation to the present, with
particular emphasis on the two world
wars.
Open: from Monday to Thursday 9-12 and
13.30-16.30, Fridayy 9-12, Saturday and
Sundays prior booking.
Info: +39 0461 827248
www.museonazionalealpini.it
17. FONDAZIONE MUSEO STORICO
DEL TRENTINO
TRENTO
Created in 2007 to highlight the history
of Trentino and the regional area
corresponding to the historic Tyrol, it
functions as a centre for exhibition
events and studies, a reference point
for the history of the various territorial
communities.
Info: +39 0461 230482
www.museostorico.tn.it
18. MUSEO DELL’AERONAUTICA
“GIANNI CAPRONI”
TRENTO
In the area of Mattarello airport, it
displays original historic aeroplanes,
many of which the only ones in the
world, as well as documents, relics
and works of art on the history of flying.
Open: from Tuesday to Sunday 10-13
and 14-18. Closed on 25 December and
1 January.
Info: +39 0461 944888
www.museocaproni.it
19. MUSEO DELLA SOCIETà
ALPINISTI TRIDENTINI
TRENTO
Contains the history of the SAT and
Trentino alpinism. Together with its library
and archives its interest centres
on the mountains, where some of its
members also fought as volunteers in
the Royal Army. It preserves original
documents, photographs, important
material for the history of Irredentism
and the Great War in the mountains.
Open: prior booking.
Info: +39 0461 980211
www.sat.tn.it
35

The Forts
At the beginning of the 1900s the frontier
between the Kingdom of Italy and
the Austro-Hungarian Empire ran over
the Trentino mountains.
Fortify! Fortify! was the imperative
used by the Austrian high command that,
after the loss of Lombardy and Veneto in
the wars of Italian Independance, feared
a further expansion of Italy towards the
“irredenta” regions. As the years passed,
despite the formal diplomatic alliance
between Italy and Austria, military preparations
were intensified, until about 80
fortifications, most of which can still be
seen today (often in the form of ruins)
controlled Trentino from Stelvio to the
Marmolada. In addition to this, a huge
effort was made in 1914-15 to cover
the area with hundreds of kilometres of
trenches and strongholds.
After the war, many of these constructions
fell into decay and, in a certain
sense, became part of the Alpine
environment, others remained fearlessly
standing and some have been restored or
turned into museums and can be visited.
The areas most scarred by this “artificial
panorama” are the strongholds of
the defence line: the Tonale-Rocchetta
and Lardaro barriers, the Forts in Riva
and Trento, the Tenna and Adige-Vallarsa
barriers and especially those of
Folgaria and Lavarone on the plateaus,
where the Austrian commands intended
to halt the Italian breakthrough and create
the preconditions for a counteroffensive,
as promptly happened in May
1916 with the Strafexpedition.
Of the dozens of forts, we indicate
the accessible ones or those involved in
restoration projects.
36

Carè Alto in the Adamello group
during a photographic reconnaissance flight
On the opposite page Fort Belvedere-Gschwent
TONALE-ROCCHETTA
DEFENCE BARRIER
20. STRINO
This is a fortified barricade destined
to control a communication route,
situated near Vermiglio, in Val di Sole,
at an altitude of 1400 metres. Built
between 1860 and 1861, it soon
showed signs of its vulnerability and
so the Austrian military authorities
decided to strengthen it in 1898 and
again in 1907.
Access: along the Tonale road, between Passo
Tonale and the village of Vermiglio. It hosts a
permanent exhibition dedicated to the “White
War” and contemporary art exhibitions.
21. Zaccarana
Called at the time Werk Tonale, it
dominated the Tonale pass and was
built between 1908 and 1912, at an
altitude of 2116 metres, the highest
of the Austrian permanent fortifications.
It was an impressive construction
divided in three blocks,
subsequently reduced to ruins. Recuperation
work is now in progress.
Access: after the village of Vermiglio along the
Tonale road, turn right onto the former military
road leading to the fort (about 7 km).
22. Pozzi Alti
Called by the Austro-Hungarians
Werk Presanella, it was built between
1908 and 1912 to control the Val di
Sole road, together with the Fort Zaccarana
opposite. Uphill a retaining
wall protected it from any possible
landslides. Restoration work is now in
progress.
Access: from the hamlet Velon di Vermiglio,
turn right onto a muletrack, after about 8 km
on the right.
23. Mero
Built between 1911 and 1913, it was
the communication link between the
Zaccarana Forts and Pozzi Alti. It was
a small construction made of concrete
and iron girders. Restoration work is
now in progress.
Access: along the Tonale road, about 1 km
after Fort Strino, turn right and at the second
bend take the muletrack on the left (about 4
km from the Tonale state road).
LARDARO DEFENCE BARRIER
24. LARINO
A barricade built in 1860 to defend
the road coming from the Brescia area
– that had recently become Italian. It
is a good example of fortified architecture,
with chiselled granite ashlars
and surrounded by a moat. It has been
completely restored.
Access: descending from Lardaro, just above
the fork to Daone, reachable by car. The interior
can only be visited on guided tours.
25. CORNO
Situated near the village of Praso, it
controlled theeValle del Chiese with
Fort Carriola, built on the opposite
side of the valley (today in ruins).
Built between 1883 and 1890 in the
Vogl style, it had revolving steel cupolas
and shields for cannons later
removed. Restoration work is now in
progress.
Access: from Praso through the hamlet of
Sevror. on foot via a path that begins at the fort
of Larino. Not visitable inside.
fortress of RIVA DEL GARDA
26. San Nicolò
Built on the shores of Lake Garda, it
had a double function; it barricaded
the road with a big iron door and was
a coastline battery. It had powerful
searchlights to scan the water in front
of it.
Access: at the foot of Mount Brione near the
port of the same name in Riva del Garda.
It is the cantre of Lake Garda studies.
27. Garda
It featured a modern conception of
construction that included a great use
of prestressed concrete supported
by steel girders, the total absence of
decorative elements and many infrastructures.
Access: along the scenic path of Mount
Brione, a few minites from Fort San Nicolò.
Not visitable inside.
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Inside Fort Valmorbia-Pozzacchio
On the opposite page
Forte delle Benne
An Austro-Hungarian trench
on the Trentino front line
28. Batteria di mezzo
In the Vogl style, it belongs to the
type of fortifications built in concrete
and brickwork on hills or high ground.
In 1915 a long tunnel was added to it,
which led to the observatories on the
overhanging rock face of Brione.
Access: on Mount Brione, near the antennae.
Not visitable inside.
29. Nago
The complex was built on two levels
with two lines of cannons one above
the other, the only example of a vertical
barricade among the forts of the
first generation (1860-1861).
Access: the upper part is on the road going
from Nago to Castel Penede, while the lower
part is on the old route from Nago to Torbole.
Both have a restaurant.
ADIGE-VALLARSA
DEFENCE BARRIER
30. Valmorbia-Pozzacchio
Entirely dug in a rock spur south-east
of the village of Pozzacchio (in the
foothills of the Pasubio group) it was
a work of outstanding military engineering.
Restorations carried out this
year will make it accessible also inside.
Access: by car along the Vallarsa road to the
fork for Vanza and then towards Pozzacchio.
Currently visitable only outside.
SYSTEM OF FORTS ON THE
ALTIPIANI DI FOLGARIA, LAVARONE
AND LUSERNA
31. Belvedere-Gschwent
The construction exploits a rock spur
and a depression in the ground that
made it possible to sink the main casemate
three levels. It is one of the best
preserved Austro-Hungarian forts
and it houses a museum dedicated to
the Great War and recently completed
with multimedia installations.
Access: from Lavarone Cappella, follow the
signs for Oseli and after about 1 km turn left.
32. Cherle
Consisting in two blocks, with casemates
and batteries, joined to each
other by a corridor. It was built at an
altitude of 1445 metres in the locality
of Malga Cherle to control the Altopiano
di Folgaria.
Access: from Folgaria climb to Passo del
Sommo, then take the Fiorentini road on the
right. Continue for 6 km. Not visitable inside.
33. Sommo alto
An intermediate work, built to control
the land between Fort Cherle and Fort
Serrada.
Access: from Folgaria go to Passo Sommo and
then Rifugio Stella d’Italia, along path 124 for
about 15 minutes. Not visitable inside.
34. Luserna
Known as the ‘Everlasting Father’, it
was one of the safest Austrian forts.
In 1915 it was heavily bombed and
the Bohemian commander Emanuel
Nebesar raised the white flag. The
batteries of the Austrian forts, Verle
and Belvedere, intervened to stop
him. Nebesar was dismissed and arrested.
Access: from Luserna on path 49 or along the
road to Malga Campo, alternatively from the
Millegrobbe cross-country centre on foot for
1.8 km. Visitable inside only during guided tours.
35. Serrada
In length this is the largest one on the
front and consists of three blocks. The
main one was 100 metres long and 8
metres wide and had three floors.
During the first year of the war it was
heavily attacked, but resisted.
Access: from Serrada one hour on foot along
path 136. Not visitable inside.
36. Verle
Fortification that was the subject of
heavy gunfire by the Italian artillery,
but was never conquered. After the
Strafexpedition in 1916, it remained
an optic connection point on the plateaus.
Access: from Vezzena pass on foot along the
road leading to Pizzo di Levico. Not visitable
inside.
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37. Pizzo Vezzena
Nicknamed the ‘Eye of the Plateau’,
it was chiefly used as an observatory
and an optic and telephonic connection
with the nearby forts. It is a daring
work: it leans against the rock that
protects it in the north and it overlooks
a sheer drop of 1300 metres to
Valsugana.
Access: from Fort Verle, along the military
paths for practised hikers, or following the old
military road from the Varagna woods. Not
visitable inside.
TENNA DEFENCE BARRIER
PANEVEGGIO DEFENCE BARRIER
40. DOSSACCIO
Situated on the mountain of the same
name at an altitude of 1838 metres,
near Predazzo, it was an important
stronghold against attacks from the
east across the valley of the Travignolo
torrent. It had a telephonic and optic
telegraph link with the Fort Buso
and Fort Moena and was connected to
the telephone exchange of Predazzo
and San Martino.
Access: from Paneveggio one hour on foot.
Not visitable inside.
FortRESS OF TRENTO
42. FORTE BUS DE VELA
Strategically placed at the entry to
Trento, it was built between 1860
and 1861 and was part of the first
group of permanent fortifications in
defence of the communication routes
to the capital. It is a road barricade,
made with pink calcareous ashlar
stone. It has recently been restored
by the provincial Superintendency for
Architectural Heritage.
Access: along the provincial road to Riva del
Garda, 6 km from Trento near Cadine.
38. colle DELLE BENNE
Also called Fort San Biagio, it is situated
at a height of 660 metres and
dominates Lake Levico. A twin of Fort
Tenna, during the war it served only
as an observatory and depot. Restoration
and renovation work has been
planned.
Access: starting from the village of Levico
Terme and going via San Biagio, you come to
a fork, take the dirt road on the right to Dosso
delle Benne. Not visitable inside.
39. TENNA
Together with Fort Colle delle Benne
it guaranteed the closure to Valsugana
and controlled the approach to the
Monterovere road that led to the fortifications
situated at Lavarone and
on the Vezzena plateau. The building,
almost a ruin, is currently undergoing
conservative restoration. A conservative
restoration project has been
planned.
Access: from the village of Tenna starting
from piazza San Rocco and going along via
Roma and via San Valentino.
41. BUSO
On the eastern edge of the Paneveggio
Pale di San Martino Nature Park,
it formed a defence system, with armoured
trenches and covered communication
trenches and tunnels, between
Fort Buso, Fort Dossaccio and
Sella delle Carigole. It was connected
optically and telegraphically to Fort
Dossaccio.
Access: from Bellamonte, going towards Passo
Rolle, continue for about 3 km.
Not visitable inside.
43. CIVEZZANO
The barricade on the upper road to
Civezzano is a one floor building situated
between Civezzano and Cognola.
Built between 1869 and 1872 in
squared calcareous stone and modernised
in 1914, it became a munitions
depot and was then abandoned
as Italian military property. It hosts a
winery.
For guided visits contact the Argentario
Ecomuseum in Civezzano
+39 0461 858400
www.ecoarge.net
Access: from Trento, state road 17 towards
Cognola-Civezzano.
39

1
Peio
21
20 3
2
Vermiglio
v a l d i s o l e
v a l d i n o n
23
22
v a l d i c e m b r a
v a l r e n d e n a
4
Spiazzo
Rendena
42
16 17 19
43
Trento
25
24
5
Bersone
Bezzecca
v a l l i g i u d i c a r i e
6
Riva
del Garda
7
27,28
26
29
v a l l e d e i l a g h i
Rovereto
8
18
30
35 33 32
39
Lavarone
31
38
v a l s u g a n a
37
36
9 34 10
Luserna
v a l l a g a r i n a
l a g o d i g a r d a
40

15
v a l d i f a s s a
passo Fedaia
14
Moena
40
41
v a l d i f i e m m e
13
Cauriol
12
Caoria
v a n o i
11
Borgo
Valsugana
Fort
Museum
Trentino. From War to Peace is an institutional communication project by Trentino
Marketing S.p.A. and the Department of Agriculture, forests, tourism and promotion of the
Autonomous Province of Trento in collaboration with the Italian War History Museum of
Rovereto,
the Provincial Superintendency for Architectural heritage, the Provincial Service
of Cultural Activities, the Trentino History Museum Foundation and the Rovereto
Bell of the Fallen Opera Foundation.
Special thanks for the texts to Camillo Zadra, Marica Piva, Marco Pontoni
and Claudio Fabbro.
This publication was edited by Trentino Marketing S.p.A. in December 2010
Publication coordination: Aree Grandi Eventi e Progetti Culturali ed Editoria e Traduzioni
Graphic design: Designfabrik, Rovereto
Printed by: Tipografia Alcione, Trento
Photos by: Paolo Aldi, Giovanni Cavulli, Flavio Faganello, Ronny Kiaulehn,
Romano Magrone, Marisa Montibeller, Daniele Lira, Raffaella Persilia, Alessio Periotto,
Ugo Visciani, Gianni Zotta
Photo Libraries: AStudio Azzurro, Fondazione Museo Storico del Trentino, Laboratorio
di Storia di Rovereto, Museo Storico Italiano della Guerra, Soprintendenza per i Beni
Architettonici della Provincia di Trento, Trentino Marketing S.p.A., Ufficio Stampa Pat

provincia autonoma di trento
piazza dante 15 38122 trento
Tel. +39 0461 495111
www.provincia.tn.it
trentino marketing S.p.A.
Territorial marketing company
via romagnosi 11 38122 trento
www.visittrentino.it
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