Forte di Fenestrelle

About the museum

The Forte di Fenestrelle entered history in autumn 1727, when the engineer Ignazio Bertola presented to King Victor Amadeus II the project of a great fortified wall to block the Chisone valley. Work began in spring 1728 and lasted more than a century; the last building phase ended in 1850, and at its busiest more than four thousand people worked on the site.

The complex extends along the ridge for over 3 kilometres, with a height difference of about 600 metres, and consists of eight defensive works, from the great Forte San Carlo to the small Ridotta Santa Barbara, connected by internal and external routes and, above all, by the covered staircase of 4,000 steps, protected by walls two metres thick.

The fort was always a military garrison and also served as a state prison: important figures were held in its rooms, while common prisoners were kept in the barrack dormitories and, for about a month, around a thousand soldiers of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. After the Second World War the complex was abandoned and risked falling into ruin. Since 1990 volunteers of the Associazione Progetto San Carlo have restored it and run it as a monument open to the public.

Highlights

• Covered staircase of 4,000 steps
• Scala Reale, 3,000 steps
• Forte San Carlo with Piazza d'Armi, church, Palazzo del Governatore and Palazzo degli Ufficiali
• Garitta del Diavolo, panoramic viewpoint over Forte Tre Denti
• Collezione del Governatore with over 300 taxidermied animals
• Museum of the 3rd Alpini Regiment

Permanent exhibitions

• Collezione del Governatore – In the Governor's palace, an exhibition of over 300 species of taxidermied animals.
• Museo del III Reggimento Alpini – Museum of the 3rd Alpini Regiment in the Officers' Pavilion; free admission.
• Sui Passi del De Amicis – Walk along a section of the 4,000-step covered staircase, following the route described by the writer Edmondo De Amicis.

Founded

1728

Operated by

Associazione Progetto San Carlo – Forte di Fenestrelle Onlus

Visitors per year

approx. 50,000

Admission & discounts

Admission is included (free) for holders of the Abbonamento Musei Piemonte and the Torino+Piemonte Card. The prices shown are those of the tour; the Museo del III Reggimento Alpini and the exhibition “L'Artigianato di Trincea” are free of charge.

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

The site does not publish information on accessibility; the route includes many stairs and changes in level.

Kids & families

Reduced rates and Piano Famiglia for children aged 7 to 18; the Passeggiata Reale is considered a mountain hike.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Refreshment point “Café des Forçats” in the undercroft of the church of Forte San Carlo, serving Piedmontese dishes (hours 9:00–17:00, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays; in July and August closed on Tuesdays).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit