Forte Tre Sassi

About the museum

The fort was built by the Austro-Hungarian army between 1897 and 1901 to block a probable Italian access towards the Val Badia. It was armed with 8 cm and 6 cm guns, with machine guns aimed at the Col di Lana and the Passo Falzarego and with an observation post on the roof; the garrison numbered about fifty men, who were also tasked with holding the trenches of the Valparola and the Edelweiss Stellung.

On 5 July 1915 Italian artillery struck the structure with 210 mm shells, which pierced the concrete roof, and the fort was abandoned. The Austrians nevertheless continued to illuminate it at night, so that the Italians would consider it still active and waste ammunition against it.

The idea of a Great War museum in Cortina d'Ampezzo arose in 1979, with a promoting committee of collectors and enthusiasts who, after years of research at the battle sites, among veterans, libraries and museums, decided to create a permanent exhibition. The museum was inaugurated on 27 September 2002 and opened to the public on 12 August 2003 inside the restored fort. Most of the material on display belongs to the Lancedelli family, who also run the museum.

The route tells the war from the point of view of the soldiers rather than of the generals or politics, with over 5,000 historical finds: weapons, equipment, objects of everyday life in the trenches, photographs and books of the period.

Highlights

• Austro-Hungarian fort built between 1897 and 1901 at 2,192 m above sea level
• Over 5,000 military finds from the First World War
• The war told from the point of view of the soldiers
• Objects of everyday life in the trenches, photographs and period books
• External historical route through the trenches of the Edelweiss Stellung (group visits)

Permanent exhibition

• Museo della Grande Guerra 1914–18 al Forte Tre Sassi – Permanent exhibition with over 5,000 First World War finds from the Dolomite front, told from the point of view of the soldiers.

Founded

2002

Operated by

Famiglia Lancedelli (museo privato)

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for collaborators who have donated material of particular interest to the museum. The card reader (POS) may not work: it is advisable to bring cash. Dogs are admitted and do not pay.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Dogs are admitted and welcome, at no cost.

Getting there & parking

The fort is about 2 km from the Passo Falzarego, 20 km from Cortina d'Ampezzo and 10 km from San Cassiano; it is reached by car.

Amenities & dining

Nearby is the Rifugio Valparola, run separately.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit