Description
This Italian barrier fort is the centerpiece of the fortified camp at the Col de Tende, which is dotted with four other forts. Completed in 1884, it overlooks the Roya Valley.
The central fort is the centerpiece of the fortified camp at the Tende Pass. Construction began in 1881 and was completed in 1883. Its architecture was inspired by Austrian fortifications of that era. It was designed to house a garrison of 210 men. Its powder magazine can hold 90 metric tons, and its drinking water supply is provided by a canal fed from Lake Abisso. The artillery is housed in casemates. The front line, facing the Roya Valley, is equipped with eight 150-mm artillery pieces capable of firing toward the access roads to the Tende Pass and the Sabion Pass. The armament is supplemented by four 120-mm guns, with a maximum range of 7 kilometers. Inside, everything is organized to support both the garrison’s daily life and its operational mission. The fort features three optical telegraph stations, enabling it to communicate with other fortifications and the Vermegnana Valley.
During World War I, the fort was disarmed to support the Austrian front. Having become obsolete due to advances in artillery technology, it was subsequently used as an ammunition depot and for troop quarters.
