Forte di Vinadio, Colle delle Maddalena and Colle de la Lombarde

The fortress of Vinadio, situated to the east below the Colle della Maddalena and Colle de la Lombarde, is one of the most important military installations in the Alpine region – 11 years of construction, completed in 1847, and about 10 kilometres of fortress walls. Up to 4000 workers were employed here to create a bulwark against the threat from the west. The site extends over the entire Ta to the river Stura in the south, about 1200 metres (as the crow flies) long.

However, the fortress was never involved in a fight. However, it was a gigantic dovecote from the First World War – the communication until the early 20th century.

Today the fortress is a cultural centre and houses, among other things, a permanent exhibition on the subject of ‘Mountains in Motion’, which is well worth seeing.
Vinadio is about a kilometre away from the connecting road between Cold du Larche or Colle della Maddalena and Colle de la Lombarde. A detour is always worthwhile.