Festung Franzensfeste

About the museum

The fortress of Fortezza (in German Franzensfeste) was built from 1833 on the orders of Emperor Francis I of Austria, to block the Brenner road and the Isarco valley. The work, which extends across three levels along the valley floor and the slope, was completed within a few years and inaugurated in 1838. It never took part in real fighting and soon lost its strategic importance, effectively becoming a depot.

With the annexation of South Tyrol to Italy, the fort passed to the Italian army without combat. In 1943 part of the Bank of Italy’s gold, transferred from Rome, was kept here; in 1945 an air raid destroyed a small part of the fort. From 1945 to 2003 the Italian army used it as a depot for weapons and ammunition, and in the 1930s numerous bunkers were also built in the surroundings.

In 2008 the complex was opened to the public for the first time on the occasion of Manifesta 7, the European biennial of contemporary art. Since 2013 it has belonged to the autonomous Province of Bolzano, and since 2017 it has been the tenth provincial museum of South Tyrol. Today it hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions on history and contemporary art, art installations and an information point on the Brenner Base Tunnel.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Bunkerizzato. Bunker in Alto Adige” on the Vallo Alpino (Alpine Wall)
• BBT Infopoint on the Brenner Base Tunnel
• Permanent art installations in the fortress spaces
• Route across the levels of the fortress with views over the valley
• Guided tour of the Forte Alto and excursions into the bunkers

Permanent exhibitions

• Bunkerizzato. Bunker in Alto Adige – Permanent exhibition on the bunkers built in the 1930s along the South Tyrol border as part of the Vallo Alpino, with insights into their history and significance.
• BBT-Infopoint – Exhibition space of about 200 square metres dedicated to the Brenner Base Tunnel and its construction site.
• La Cattedrale nel deserto – Permanent exhibition on the history of the fortress and the surrounding area.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Provincia autonoma di Bolzano – Alto Adige (museo provinciale)

Visitors per year

approx. 35,291

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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

Parts of the fortress are accessible to wheelchairs and walkers, and several levels are served by lifts. Because of the historic building, some areas are not fully barrier-free and the routes are partly unpaved. Parking for people with reduced mobility directly at the entrance, accessible toilets and benches along the route. Staff help with planning the visit.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Educational routes are available for schools, including a treasure hunt on the history of the fort. Families with young children are invited to use a baby carrier, as the routes are partly unpaved.

Getting there & parking

Motorway exit Bressanone; the fort is on the main road between Bolzano and the Brenner. Also reachable by bicycle along the Val Pusteria cycle path and the upper Isarco valley cycle path.

Amenities & dining

The fortress bistro-café is closed for the current season; it is possible to eat a packed meal in some areas of the fort.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The fortress can be rented as a venue for events.

Plan your visit