Following the defeat of Caporetto, the Austro-German army pushed through the Friulian plain, forcing the weakened Italian forces to retreat towards Veneto. Leaving behind the town of Udine in late October, a number of soldiers who did not receive any order from the Supreme Command built some barricades to oppose resistance near the Tagliamento, especially on the bridges of Cornino and Pinzano.
Here, under European project "The places of the Great War on the Friulian hills", an open-air museum located in Ragogna opened in 2007. It includes four routes to discover the history of this land, from pre-war fortifications to remains of military installations, fortified posts and memorabilia of the so-called Battle of the Tagliamento.
THE REMAINS OF THE CANNON POSTS IN THE BATTERY OF LOWER RAGOGNA.
The first route covers the fortified compound of Mt. Ragogna, from the banks of the Tagliamento to the hamlet of Muris.
After crossing the town centre of Ragogna (coming from road SS463), make a left to Via Bologna and continue along Via Tagliamento up to the hamlet of Tabine, the departure point of this itinerary. The trail heading towards the bridge over the Tagliamento follows the road to San Pietro and the Reunia Castle, where you can actually start your visit.
Several interesting remains can be seen along this route, from the Permanent artillery battery "Lower Ragogna" to some reserves and blockhouses, where a number of pencil drawings made by soldiers during their stay are still visible. Continue along the trail crossing the mountain ridge and ending to the north-eastern side, where you can see the Permanent artillery battery "Upper Ragogna", the armoured powder magazine and the Fort of Cavallino, 482m ASL.
Walk through the second line trenches, near the Church of San Giovanni, and reach the strongholds of Cret dal Louf and Spice. From here, take the paved road again and descend to the hamlet of Muris walking along the most advanced trenches that conclude this first itinerary.
THE VIEW OF THE TAGLIAMENTO FROM THE PEAK OF MOUNT RAGOGNA. IN THE BACKGROUND, THE PREALPS OF PORDENONE, ONE OF THE SCENARIOS OF THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN ADVANCE AFTER CAPORETTO.
As an option, you can integrate this route with a visit to the Museum of the Great War of Ragogna, which offers an insight on what you can see around this area as well as some curios related to that period.
