The most impressive fortress in Europe is hidden among the Piedmontese valleys, a colossal architectural work that recalls the famous great Chinese wall to mind, but with a story and a charm all Italians.
The Fort of Fenestrelle
The Forte di Fenestrelle, a little known jewel of our historical heritage, extends majestically on the mountain side in Val Chisone, in the province of Turin, and offers visitors a unique experience that requires passion, energy and spirit of adventure.
This extraordinary construction is not simply a military fortification, but an authentic masterpiece of engineering and architecture that winds three kilometers along the mountain slope, exceeding a difference in height of 650 meters. Those who decide to explore this monument in its entirety must be prepared to face the longest covered scale in Europe: a 4,000 steps path that tests even the most trained visitors.
The grandeur of the Fort of Fenestrelle occurs in its impressive numbers: a total area of 1,350,000 square meters, three fortified complexes (San Carlo, three teeth and valleys) and seven reduced military, all connected by a wall that, seen from above, inevitably recalls its famous “sister” oriental.
The story of the fort
The history of this architectural wonder begins in the autumn of 1727, when the engineer Ignazio Bertola presented to King Vittorio Amedeo II a visionary project: a great fortified wall that should have protected the Chisone valley from foreign invasions. Thus was born a work that would have marked the military history of the entire European continent.
After being abandoned by the army in 1947, the fort lived a long period of oblivion, transforming itself into a ghost place, forgotten in the Piedmontese mountains. Only thanks to the commitment and passion of the volunteers of the San Carlo Onlus Project Association, this treasure was rediscovered and valued, returning to live as a tourist destination.
How to visit the Fort of Fenestrelle
Today, the Fort of Fenestrelle offers different possibilities of visit, suitable for all types of travelers: from the royal walk, a complete excursion of 7 hours for the most determined enthusiasts, to the fascinating journey inside the 3 hours walls, until the short visit of about an hour for those who have little time but do not want to give up knowing this extraordinary monument.
From September to June, the fortress is open every day, excluded on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with continuous hours from 10:00 to 17:00.
In the months of July and August it is open every day with continuous hours from 9:00 to 18:00.
The visits to the fortress are all guided and by telephone reservation. For more information click here.
Real walk
The departure for the royal walk, which offers a complete itinerary, is scheduled at 9 am, with return to the late afternoon. The route deals with a difference in height of about 600 meters, perfect for those who love walks with vision and a pinch of history.
With a more hiking spirit, the Forte San Carlo and the strong three teeth is visible in an essential way, and then trace the entire length of the extraordinary and panoramic “royal scale”, consisting of 3,000 steps placed on the roof of the famous scale covered. A real challenge, but also a show for the eyes.
During the climb, there will be the stages in the most suggestive points of the route: the reduced Santa Barbara, doors and hospital, and some of the most characteristic views of the mysterious covered scale.
The highest part of the excursion reaches 1800 meters, where the Forte delle Valli is located, visited in a more in -depth way to appreciate every architectural and historical detail.
In the afternoon, you go down through the suggestive road of Cannoni, an itinerary surrounded by greenery that crosses the splendid pine forest adjacent to the fortress, with a final arrival at Forte San Carlo.
3 hours walk
Two daily departures: at 10:00 in the morning and at 15:00 in the afternoon, for an itinerary of about three hours dedicated to the discovery of the history, culture and architectural wonders of the Val Chisone.
The route focuses on the historic soul of the complex, with an in -depth visit to Forte San Carlo, the beating heart of the fortress, exploring its buildings, basement and military environments. An authentic dip in the past, between rooms, ramparts and hidden passages.
Continue along one of the most fascinating stretches of the famous scale covered, part of the monumental system of the 4,000 steps, to discover the houses, the defensive workstations and the strategic standings of the stronghold, built to resist any siege.
The tour also includes a stretch of the suggestive royal road, climbing up to 1,400 meters, where you reach the legendary Garitta of the Devil, an incredible panoramic point overlooking the Val Chisone, located at the Fort three teeth.
One hour walk
For the shortest walk, one hour, the departure is scheduled from 10:00 in the morning for a guided tour of about an hour, designed for those who want to discover the essence of the Fort of Fenestrelle in a short time, without sacrificing the historical and cultural depth.
This compact itinerary focuses on the fascinating Forte San Carlo, the heart of the entire fortified complex. The visit deepens the history of the Val Chisone and the Savoy defensive system, with particular attention to the daily life of the soldiers and the transformations of the fort over the centuries.
The route includes a detailed visit to the internal buildings, the ancient underground and military kitchens, real silent witnesses of operational life within the fortress.
Curiosity
A scale of 4,000 steps, which is often cited as “the longest in Europe”, but here is the twist: the steps are not all the same. Going up, they change shape and inclination based on the slope of the mountain, a real test of ingenuity for the time. Some strokes seem more ramps than stairs, and others are narrow and irregular to hinder any attackers.
A Piedmontese wall
It is called “the Great Wall Piedmontese”, and reason. It develops on 3 km in length, but if you consider the surface covered (over 1.3 million m²), it beats any other strong alpine in Europe. It is the largest fortified masonry structure of the continent, second in the world only to the Chinese wall.
Secret tunnels and hidden passages
Like any self -respecting fortress, Fenestrelle also has its underground tunnels. Many are still unexplored. There is talk of strategic tunnels, escape routes and observation stations built inside the mountain. Some traits are so tight and dark that they are accessible only with speleology equipment.
Legend
Legend could not be missing: many swear that they have heard mysterious steps along the scale covered in the middle of the night, even when the fort is deserted. The legend speaks of a French officer who died during the siege that still “supervises” on the border. A creepy story, especially if you are there with the wind that hiss in the slits. This is obviously a popular narrative handed down orally in the region, there are no official or academic document sources that attest or deepen this story.
Traveling the walls of this fortress means embarking on a journey through time, between stone and history, admiring breathtaking views of the Piedmontese Alps and rediscovering an important chapter of our past. The great Italian wall only awaits that she has explored, one step after another, along its infinite stone steps.
