Fort of Fenestrelle is one of the most imposing military structures in Europe and stands as one of Piedmont’s most fascinating historical landmarks. Situated in the heart of the Chisone Valley, near the village of Fenestrelle, this extraordinary fortified complex stretches along the mountainside for over three kilometres, so much so that it is often referred to as the ‘Piedmontese Great Wall’.

Construction of the fort began in 1727, based on a design by the engineer Ignazio Bertola, at the behest of King Victor Amadeus II, with the aim of defending the Chisone Valley from potential foreign invasions from the French border. The project was conceived during a particularly unstable period in history, marked by conflicts and tensions along the Western Alps.

Rather than a single fort, Fenestrelle is in fact a vast defensive system comprising numerous interconnected military structures, including Fort San Carlo, Fort Tre Denti and Fort delle Valli. The entire complex covers an area of over one million square metres and spans a height difference of more than 600 metres between its lowest and highest points.

One of the fortress’s most famous features is the monumental Covered Staircase, an internal passageway protected by thick walls, comprising some 4,000 steps and climbing for over two kilometres up the mountainside. This extraordinary feat of engineering allowed soldiers to move quickly between the various sections of the fortress, even during sieges.

Throughout its long history, the Fort of Fenestrelle always retained a military and strategic function, also serving as a state prison. Its barracks and cells housed common criminals, convicted soldiers and even soldiers from the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies following Italian unification, prior to their integration into the nascent national army.

After the Second World War, the complex was gradually abandoned, facing the risk of permanent decay. In recent decades, however, major restoration and enhancement works have breathed new life into this extraordinary Alpine monument, which is now open to the public and can be visited on guided tours.

A stroll through the ramparts, tunnels, courtyards and walkways of Fort of Fenestrelle is like stepping into a unique place where history, military architecture and mountain scenery blend to create a setting of rare beauty. Even today, the fort retains the austere charm of the great Alpine fortresses and is considered one of the largest masonry structures in Europe.