The Fenestrelle Fortress

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 5.0 miles / 8.0 km
Duration: Full day

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Overview: Welcome to the largest mountain fortification in Europe. A fortress that was so big it was impossible to besiege! A fortress that by its sheer presence changed the path of history without firing a single shot! A fortress that is unique in its construction and saw service for nearly 200 years!

The fortress of Fenestrelle was constructed in 1728 after the Spanish war of Succession to defend the newly claimed Piemontese Territory against the French. The only Piemontese fortress to survive the Napoleonic period.

During Napoleon's rule it became the most feared political prison in Europe, Frances 9th Bastille. A fortress that inspired the story of the Count of Monte Christo and several other literary classics.

Oh and by the way it houses the longest covered stairway in the world! (3997 steps)

Tips: To visit the fort you need to book your visit with one of the guides. The visit can be conducted in Italian or English. Please be sure to specify an English speaking guide if you do not understand Italian.

You ideally need to be dressed for walking in the mountains with good sturdy shoes, suitable clothing. Packed lunches can be arranged at the bar inside the fort.
Accomodation can be booked via the local tourist office.

Nearest major city is Turin.

Points of Interest

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Forte San Carlo

This is the starting point for your visit to the largest fortification in Europe. The fortress covers an area of 1,300,000 square metres and extends from top to bottom by 3km. The height difference from bottom to top is 700m.
The fort is host to several unique architectural structures as well as the longest covered stairway in the world.

Views of the Fortress of Fenestrelle Photo

$Garitta dal diavolo. The devil\'s garret Photo$

view from ventilation port in covered staircase Photo

Garite del diavolo The devils garrett Photo

$governor\'s palace Photo$

part of the internal stairs. (4000 in total) Photo

$Scenes from \ Photo$

Governors house Forte di Fenestrelle Photo

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Forte della valle.

This is the upper part of the fortress that effectively commands the whole valley, hence its name. It is divided into three redoubts that can operate independently from one another. Belvedere, St Antonio and Elmo.
This part of the fortress is connected to San Carlo by the covered stairway and the wall known as the Grand Communication.

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The Grande Communication

This is the connecting wall that links Forte delle Valle with Forte San Carlo. To the Piemontese side runs the covered stairway with 3996 steps. On the French side is the open stairway with 2500 stairs.

Along the wall are built two redoubts and three batteries.

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Strada dei Cannoni

This roadway with 33 switchbacks was the road used to transport cannon from top to bottom of the fort. Now it is a pleasant wooded walk in its own right, weaving along the edge of the nature reserve, Parco Orsiera Rocciavre.

Pictures in this guide taken by: Hannibalbiker

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