Forte Montecchio Nord
Museum | Colico | Lombardia | Italy
The Forte Montecchio Nord in Colico, Province of Lecco, is the best-preserved fortress from the First World War in Europe. Built between 1911 and 1914, it served to protect the border regions and control important Alpine passes such as the Splügen, Maloja, and Stelvio Pass. Despite its readiness for war, the fortress was never actively used during the First World War.
The fortress consists of two main areas: the upper part with four French 149mm cannons, and the lower part housing the barracks, ammunition storage, and other military facilities. The cannons are housed in rotating steel and cast iron domes and can reach a range of up to 14 kilometers. These cannons are the only ones of their kind that have remained in their original condition to this day.
During the Second World War, the fort played a role in the resistance against the German occupation. On April 28, 1945, it fired five cannon shots at the German column retreating towards Switzerland, forcing them to surrender.
Today, Forte Montecchio Nord is a museum offering visitors insight into the military history and architecture of the First World War. The tour includes various areas of the fortress, including the barracks, command office, armory, tunnel network, armored battery, engine room, and battery corridor. From the fortress, visitors have an impressive view of Lake Como as well as the mountains of Valtellina and Valchiavenna.
