When Italy declared war to the Austro-Hungarian Empire on 24th May 1915 , the north-eastern borders were different from today's. The Canale Valley, which includes also the municipalities of Tarvisio, Malborghetto Valbruna and Pontebba, was part of Carinthia and the border used to run along the peaks that divided it from the Dogna Valley, a deep and wild gorge which starts from the village of Dogna and develops in the heart of the Julian Alps.
This pristine and picturesque valley is home to several remains and traces of the border before the war and the battles fought to cross it. The route Dogna Valley - Plans line, for instance, offers a great opportunity to discover Italian fortifications built right before and during the Great War.
THE REMAINS OF THE RESTORED MILITARY BARRACKS ALONG THE ROAD OF VAL DOGNA. HERE YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR CAR AND DISCOVER LINEA DEI PLANS
Once you arrive at the small village of Dogna, continue along Via Roma and Via Montasio up to the bridge on the Fella River. From here departs a long military road characterized by numerous tunnels, bridges and spectacular rock excavations. After 12 kilometres, in Stavoli di Plans (1012 metres ASL), you can admire the Plans fortified line, a defensive line transversal to the valley to block possible enemy incursions from the east.
Back to the main road, after about 2 kilometres, you reach 1111 metres ASL, where the Plan de Spadovai opens up and you can visit some military ruins, in particular, the chapel of the Gemona Battalion.
If you wish, you can continue your excursion to Sella Somdogna (where the paved road ends) and explore the remains of the Great War on the peaks of Mt. Jôf di Miezegnot and Mt. Jôf di Somdogna. If you want to end your visit of the Dogna Valley here instead, walk back along the same road until you reach the Plan dei Spadovai.
Finally, you can visit the Museum of the Territory and the Environmental Education Centre in Dogna, where a section is dedicated to the Great War.
THE CHAPEL OF THE GEMONA BATTALION BUILT IN PIAN DE SPADOVAI
