The fortress of Punta Corbin

May 17, 2018 ,

The fortress of Punta Corbin was part of the Italian fortresses forming the line of defence on the pre-alps at the north of Vicenza. After the war, it has been restored by Panozzo family, and now is a museum.


Located at the western end of the Plateau of Asiago, not far away from Vicenza, the fortress of Punta Corbin was part of the Italian fortresses forming the line of defence on the pre-alps at the north of Vicenza.

Its construction commenced in 1906 on top of a cliff facing on to the Valley of the river Astico and its purpose was to provide the valley with an appropriate defence against an eventual Austro-Hungarian invasion. Even though it was designed to be one of the more powerful fortresses, its role during the war was not the best. After only a few months from the beginning of the conflict, Fort Corbin, as all the other forts on the plateau, was stripped of its guns and became ineffectual. During the spring of 1916, the fortress was easily occupied by the Austro-Hungarian army and it remained in their hands for the duration the bloody battle they fought against the grenadiers of Sardinia. It was during that battle that Carlo Stuparich, an irredentist from Trieste, lost his life by committing suicide rather than being taken prisoner and facing death by hanging as a traitor.At the end of the strafen expedition, Fort Corbin fell into Italian hands and was no longer involved in any fighting. Its role became that of an observatory facing Mount Cimone which remained in Austrian hands until the end of the war. Once the conflict was over, it was used as barracks and as a training facility. In the twenties, the government of Rome ordered the removal of the steel domes which had been designed to protect the guns, and the structure was neglected for years.

The ruins of Corbin fort were then bought from the Panozzo family. In the last decades with lots of patience and dedication the family transformed the ruins in a museum. There is also a bar-restaurant available at the place. The price for visiting the museum is just 5 Euros per person to be paid in cash. They also offer a guided tour, that is well worth it. Perfect for bringing as well your kids as the museum is kid friendly.


Contacts
Museo Storico Militare Forte di Punta Corbin
Localita’ Corbin, 36010, Tresche’ Conca di Roana ( VI )
Tel: 349.2685543 
Opening times
Schedules of the fort and the bar:
  • From April until June and from September until November: all Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10.00 am to 18.00 pm
    For classes and little groups the fort is opened also in the middle of the week on reservation, with guided tours available.
  • July and August: everyday from 10.00 am to 18.00 pm
  • From December until March: closed if there is snow. If no snow, call for information.
Schedules may vary during the year, please call at +39 349 2685543 for information on opening times.

Text extract from the museum website: http://www.fortecorbin.it/