Starting and arrival point of the 6-hour Pastrengo Trail, a running race on a circular route of approximately 7 km, Forte Piovezzano is located in the hamlet of the same name in the municipality of Pastrengo. It was built by the Austrian Army between 1859 and 1861.
The work, commissioned by Marshal Josef Radetzky to stem a possible enemy attack on Verona, was initially known as Fort Degenfeld, in honor of General Friedrich Graf von Degenfeld-Schonburg, commander of the army corps and minister of war. In 1866, following the cession of the Veneto to the Kingdom of Italy, like all the other fortifications in the area, the garrison came under the control of the Royal Army which changed its name to Forte Piovezzano. The direction of artillery fire was also changed. Decommissioned from any military activity, today it is cared for and maintained by the group of Piovezzano Alpine Volunteers who use the rooms for events and recreational purposes.
The fort is located on a hill south of the town of Piovezzano, about 200 m above sea level. The plan of the building has a trapezoidal shape with a masterly facing towards Lake Garda. On the right ramp there are artillery emplacements both in barbette and casemate. The upper ramp could be reached with an agile ladder equipped with guides. Inside there are various rooms, then used as warehouses and accommodation which could guarantee the needs of the garrison for relatively long periods of time (in wartime it could accommodate up to 80 soldiers). An underground cistern equipped with stone channels was used to collect rainwater for use. The fort was surrounded by a large moat which has been filled in in recent years.