Italy's Fort Azzano: A 19th-century Polygon of War

Built in the heart of the 19th century, Forte Azzano, originally named Werk Neu Wratislaw, was a part of Verona's second field entrenchment (1859-1866). Its purpose was to engage in combat with Fort Dossobuono and Fort Tomba, both forts constructed during the same period, defensive shields for the city of Verona. The fort's design was overseen by the Imperial Regio Ufficio delle Fortificazioni of Verona, named after its designer, the Chief of State Major, Johann Wratislaw von Mittrowitz, who served under Radetzky between 1848 and 1849.

After a polygonal construction process between 1860 and 1861, the fort now features central, reduced, and symmetrical portals, each preceded by a drawbridge. Today, the fortress stands open to the public, offering a glimpse into its past. A restoration project is currently underway, aiming to transform Forte Azzano into a popular tourist destination. However, the fort eerily reminisces of a time long gone, an era when the fort's existence was fundamentally rooted in Verona’s defense.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata