The Forte del Monte Festa is inserted in the defensive system of the Upper Tagliamento-Val Fella together with the forts of Osoppo, Monte Ercole and Chiusaforte, it could control any invasions from the confluence of the Fella and Tagliamento rivers as well as from the Val del Lago. Its construction dates back to to 1910 and is connected by a large military road of 8 kilometers that from Interneppo climbs to the top of the mountain, at an altitude of 1060 meters.
Unlike other similar buildings, the Forte del Monte Festa was never dismantled and in November 1917 it managed to block part of the Austro-German invasion. At his command was Captain Riccardo Winderling who made it operational with two hundred men on October 30 and blocked the descent of the imperial soldiers from the Alpine valleys for almost a week. On November 6, when the retreat towards the Piave had already begun, the Fort ran out of ammunition and was therefore abandoned.
Despite the inexorable damage due to atmospheric agents and collapses, the Forte del Monte Festa remains one of the most evocative places in Friuli Venezia Giulia linked to the Great War. The CAI 838 path and the original military road allow you to reach a plateau at 980 meters above sea level. where you begin to see the first remains of the complex: the ruins of some barracks, warehouses and what were probably the soldiers' lodgings.
After these, the road continues towards the top where the real fort is located. You can immediately see the two armored batteries (which could house 4 149mm cast iron guns with a metal cover) and, on the left, two caves used as hoists and ammunition storage.
Between the two batteries the remains of the cableway that connected Monte Festa to Amaro, about 4 km as the crow flies, are still visible. Continuing the visit you can see other galleries before reaching the top of the fort which houses a building after the Great War. From this point it is possible to descend into the heart of the fort thanks to the stairs where, despite the collapses, casemates and the highest point of the freight elevator are visible.
Translated by Google •
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