Fenestrelle
The Fort of Fenestrelle: history and restoration
Hi friends, today I'll tell you about the Fort of Fenestrelle, located in the beautiful Val Chisone, in the province of Turin. This fort is a true architectural wonder, which over time has become the symbol of the Province of Turin. In 2007, the World Monuments Fund also included it in the list of the 100 most endangered historic-archaeological sites worldwide.
History
The history of the Fort of Fenestrelle dates back to the 18th century. Initially designed by the engineer Ignazio Bertola to protect the Franco-Piedmontese border, the construction of the fortress was only completed in the following century. The fortress was never involved in major sieges or assaults, but was the protagonist of some minor skirmishes and a brief conflict during the Second World War.
The Chisone valley was politically divided into two parts: the upper part to the west from Meano to Pragelato, which belonged to the Dauphiné under the Kingdom of France. The lower part of the valley, from Pinerolo to Perosa Argentina, was instead under the dominion of the House of Savoy.
In 1688, the War of the Grand Alliance broke out, fought by France against a coalition of other European states. The Val Pragelato became a war zone for several years, although not on the front line. On the side of Savoy, the Waldensian troops of the Val San Martino carried out a series of raids and incursions towards the Val Chisone which constituted an essential communication route for the French army.
Thus, General Nicolas de Catinat de La Fauconnerie requested the construction of 3 redoubts and a large fort. In 1692, Louis XIV of France ordered the construction of the first version of what was later called Forte Tre Denti, but which was then just a small redoubt.
Sardinian-Piedmontese management
In 1713, following the Peace of Utrecht, the Dauphiné with Val Pragelato became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, but the Fort of Fenestrelle remained French property until the end of the 18th century.
In 1753, the military road from Pinerolo to the Fort of Fenestrelle was inaugurated. In 1792, the advance of the French army pushed the Savoyards to further fortify the fort, bringing its extension to over 4 km.
The restoration
After a long period of abandonment, from 1946 to 1990, the Fort of Fenestrelle returned to new life thanks to a recovery project that lasted several years. The fort has been reopened to tourism and between 2011 and 2012, more than 20,000 visitors per year visited it. In 2019, the fort welcomed over 100,000 visitors.
Since 2006, several recovery interventions have been initiated, including the consolidation of fortifications, the restoration of the chapel and some buildings adjacent to the fort, the installation of a night lighting system, and the opening of a new visiting route in the Redoubt delle Selve.
The visit to the Fort
The visit to the Fort of Fenestrelle is a real immersion in history. The visiting route is divided into three areas: the first area is located at the base of the fort where there is the welcome, information point and bookshop; the second area includes the covered road, the military chapel, the Redoubt delle Selve, and the warehouses of the Intendancy; the third area, finally, is the most challenging: climbing the staircase that leads from about 700 m above sea level to 2061 m above sea level, crossing the Central Redoubt and the citadel.
The route includes about 4 km of walking, but the well-deserved panoramic view more than makes up for the effort. In fact, from the highest point, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the valley and surrounding mountains.
The visit to the Fort of Fenestrelle is recommended for everyone, adults and children, who want to discover the beauty of architecture and the importance of history.
Conclusions
The Fort of Fenestrelle is one of the jewels of the province of Turin, a piece of history that harks back to the era of fortifications and wars between nations. Thanks to the restorations carried out over the years, the fort is now open to the public and represents one of the tourist attractions of the city.
If you happen to be in the area, do not hesitate to plan a visit to the Fort of Fenestrelle, it is definitely worth it!
