The area of the Tonale Pass was, for more than fifty years, the border between Italy and Austria-Hungary and both of the nations fortified the crossing; during the World War I these forts took part in the fighting. Nowadays they are only ruins, destination of trips and guided tours during the Summer.
Fort Corno d’Aola
Fort Strino
Fort Mero/Saccarana
The Forts Mero and Saccarana constituted an Austro-Hungarian complex built to control the Tonale pass and the area of Vermiglio; both were destroyed to scavenge their materials at the end of the war.
The ruins of the two fortresses can be seen during excursions to the Città morta (Dead City), an Austrian military complex. The Fort Saccarana is presently used to host concerts during the Summer.
Paradiso Tunnel
Ascending through the gondola lift for the Paradiso (lit. “Heaven”) pass – a name ski-lovers will recognise easily – it’s possible to visit a tunnel dug by Italian soldiers as a shelter and observation point, where has been set up a multimedia exhibition with sounds and voices of the Guerra Bianca.
Guerra Bianca museum