The Fort of Osoppo represents a landmark for the whole hills and Pre-Alps of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Declared a national monument in 1923, it was dismissed in 1951 and today hosts several cultural events that are enriched by the great views across the Tagliamento River and surrounding areas. Its charm and importance are unquestionable even from a historical-tourist standpoint: here, in fact, you can observe remains dating back to both the Great War and before.
Its history dates back to the late Middle Ages and the war between the Republic of Venice and the Hapsburg Empire and stretches to March 1848, when, during the "Risorgimento" revolutionary movements, Venice declared war against Austria and re-founded the Republic of St. Mark. Locals successfully drove the Austrian garrisons away from the fort and resisted their counter-attack for almost seven months until October of the same year. Later on, in 1866, the whole Friuli was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy and, from 1900 onwards, the Fort became part of the defensive system of the Upper Tagliamento-Fella Valley with a number of additional buildings that are still visible along with the old ones.
To visit them, you need to take the road uphill built by the French army in the early nineteenth century, which departs from Osoppo and leads all the way up to the fort. Past the entrance gate, on the right you can see the first fortified structure that used to accommodate the artillery pointed at Mt. Cuar. On the summit, a large esplanade opens up and you can head to the viewpoint on the east, enjoying great views of Gemona del Friuli. A little further on, on your right, an opening leads to what used to be the main powder magazine of the whole complex.
Back to the centre of the esplanade but always following the southern side, you can start your visit to the Osoppo-south battery, where four 149 mm iron-cast guns were placed. To reach the emplacements, you need to walk across the long corridor built in the early 900's. You can see the housing for the soldiers on one side, while on the other one there are some ammo reserves, which, through some stairs, lead to the emplacements where the guns were installed.
From here, a dirt road takes you back to the esplanade and to the remains on the northern side of the Fort, which is higher than the other. Several underground tunnels lead to Osoppo-north battery with guns pointing at the strategic Braulins Bridge, the main passageway on the Tagliamento River of the Upper Friuli. Not far are the ruins of a cave powder magazine, the water tank, the radio-telephone post and the stable. USEFUL INFORMATION
How to get there: From Highway A23, take the exit Gemona/Osoppo and follow directions for Osoppo/Gemona del Friuli. Past the junction near road SS13, continue along regional road SR463 "Tagliamento Road" towards Osoppo/San Daniele del Friuli and at the first intersection make a right to Via Fabris. After about 150 metres, on the right, you can see the road climbing uphill to the Fort of Osoppo.
Difficulty level: suitable for tourists
Duration: about 3 hours
Equipment: trekking shoes (dirt road), long trousers, water supply and a torch for visiting the tunnels
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
I.A.T. Osoppo
Piazza Napoleone, 5
I-33010 Osoppo (UD)
Tel. +39 0432 899350
Cell. +39 345 3146797 iatosoppo@gmail.com
