Forgotten in time: Verona's secrets unveiled at Forte Fenilone

Forte Fenilone, originally named Werk d’Aspre, is a forgotten historical ruin, tucked away southwest of Verona, Italy. This fort was part of the city's first field entrenchment and was built in three stages between 1848 and 1859. It served as a crucial part of Verona’s defensive system. The fort was named after its commander, baron Costantino d’Aspre, a lieutenant field marshal of Josef Radetzky during the 1848-1849 campaign. However, the fort’s utility waned after 1861 with the construction of a more advanced defensive system.

Forte Fenilone is a polygonal fort with a central redoubt and a secondary redoubt. The central redoubt features a circular tower-like structure on a single floor, with a flat-roofed platform for artillery. The redoubt was strategically placed, with two converging walls connecting it to the center of the casemate, and a tower protruding from the throat, equipped for both infantry and artillery. Two portals of access led to the internal courtyard, from which a well provided water reserves for the garrison. The northeast side of the fort, facing Santa Lucia, was its most extensive, due to its primary combat role. The armament of the fort consisted of 17 cannons. In case of war, the fort was garrisoned by 115 men.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata