The triangle-shaped Fort Sebastiano on Malga Cherle

Forte Sebastiano, also known as Fort Cherle, was built between the municipality of Folgaria and the neighboring municipality of Lavarone. Built between 1909 and 1914, it was one of the newest and most up-to-date fortifications in the Austro-Hungarian Empire when Italy declared war in May 1915. The fort was built at an altitude of 1445m on the mountain of Malga Cherle. The building is in a giant triangle shape, with the side facing the Italians left uncovered by earth so that additional cannons could be fitted to cover the approaches of the fort.

Forte Sebastiano was built by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was equipped with 4 10 cm howitzers in rotating armored domes, 2 10 cm howitzers in a battery for flanking fire, 2 6 cm Quick-firing guns in the flanking battery, and 28 machine guns throughout the fort. There were 150 artillerymen and 50 infantrymen for defense outside the fort. When Italy declared war on May 24, 1915, Fort Sebastiano had just been finished being built. On May 25, the fort was shelled by Italian 28 cm guns near Italian Forte Compolongo.

Later in 1915, Fort Sebastiano fired its guns in support of the Austro-Hungarian Spring Offensive, which ultimately pushed the Italian batteries back out of range. At the end of hostilities, the fort was occupied by Italian infantry, but unlike some other forts of its group, Fort Sebastiano was never attacked by Italian infantry. The fort was decommissioned from the Royal Army and was then rented by the Municipality of Folgaria for 29 years.

As of May 5, 1935, the fort has been owned by the Municipality of Folgaria. After the fort was bought, it was reduced to its current state by salvagers who dynamited the fort to extract the steel within.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons