Base Tuono
Open-air Cold War museum at Passo Coe: a launch section of Nike-Hercules missiles from the former NATO base at Malga Zonta, with guided tours.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Base Tuono, on the Folgaria plateau at 1,543 metres above sea level (Passo Coe), recreates the Alpha launch section of the former Malga Zonta – Monte Toraro missile base, part of NATO's integrated defence system. The base, run by the Italian Air Force with the 66° Gruppo Intercettori Teleguidati (66th Guided Interceptor Group), was operational from 1966 to 1977. The site belongs to the Municipality of Folgaria, and since 2018 the display has been entrusted for management to the Fondazione Museo storico del Trentino.
The exhibition includes five Nike-Hercules missiles, three of them on their launch ramps, and two Ajax missiles, precursors of the Hercules and the first guided interceptor missiles in history. There are also three electronics trailers and four radar antennas, used to monitor the airspace, intercept any enemy and guide the missiles. A hangar displays instruments of the weapons system, films and a learning route on the Cold War. In the adjoining bunker the electronic launch equipment is preserved, with an audio reconstruction of the alarm and launch phases.
In a second hangar, close to the launch area, Cold War fighter-bombers are on display. At present there is an F-104S, which is due to be joined by an F-86K interceptor fighter.
Highlights
- Five Nike-Hercules missiles, three on their launch ramps
- Two Ajax missiles, the first guided interceptor missiles
- Electronics trailers and radar antennas for fire control
- Bunker with an audio reconstruction of the launch phases
- Hangar with an F-104S fighter-bomber
Permanent exhibition
- Base Tuono – sezione di lancio Nike-Hercules – Open-air display of missiles, electronics trailers, radar, bunker and hangars on the Cold War.
- Operated by
- Comune di Folgaria (proprietà); gestione Fondazione Museo storico del Trentino
- Visitors per year
- approx. 20,255
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Under-18s, over-65s, Armed Forces (admission only) |
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 6 · With guided tour €5 (under-18s); free admission up to age 6 |
| Seniors | €5Admission only: €5; with guided tour €10 |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for visitors with disabilities |
| Groups (20+ people) | €10 per personWith guided tour, per person, minimum 20 people; free admission for accompanying adults |
| Families | €25With guided tour: 2 adults and 1 child; free admission from the second minor child onwards |
| Admission with guided tour – standard | €12Reduced €10 (over-65s, Armed Forces); under-18s €5 |
| Schools with guided tour | €4Per student; booking at least one week in advance |
| Trentino Guest Card Alpe Cimbra – guided tour | €5With the Guest Card, simple admission is free |
Reductions cannot be combined. The price of a simple ticket, without a guided tour, is €7 (standard).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Free admission for visitors with disabilities; no further accessibility information has been published.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The guided tour covers the events of the Cold War, the Nike-Hercules defence system, the missiles on their ramps, the electronics trailers and the bunker. It lasts about an hour and a quarter. Bookings and information: +39 348 194 3926. |
