The Fort of Mt. Ercole, also known as fort of Ospedaletto due to its proximity to the town of Gemona del Friuli, was part of the defensive system of the Upper Tagliamento, along with the forts of Osoppo and Mt. Festa nearby. Regarded as one of the most strategic areas, the military commands decided to build this fort already in 1904 to control the Foredor Pass, the passageway between mounts Cuarnan and Chiampon. Here, the army commands had some permanent batteries installed on Mt. Cumieli and Sant'Agnese Pass nearby (nothing is left today).
Despite all these efforts, following the defeat of Caporetto, the Fort of Mt. Ercole was not used to stop the advance of the Austro-German troops like the fort of Mt. Festa. In fact, on 27th October 1917, the guns were dismantled and moved to the Tagliamento line and, two days later, an order was given to completely destroy the building in order to prevent the Austrians from taking it over.
Today, however, in spite of its destiny and weather conditions, the Fort of Mt. Ercole represents one of the most fascinating remains of the Great War in Friuli Venezia Giulia, also thanks to the natural beauty of this area. After a short stroll along Minisini Lake, you can see the first remains of this military complex, namely some guarding posts (watchtowers) and the ruins of three large buildings that worked as warehouses and housing for soldiers.
Along the way leading to the fort, on the left, you can see three 20m deep tunnels: two were used as ammo deposits while the third used to accommodate the lift. The latter would end its run inside the fort, near the machine-gun bunker.
Once you reach the fort in a few minutes, at the entrance you can see an armoured room on the right and an opening with some stairs leading to Mt. Ercole summit. Here, the soldiers installed the permanent battery, featuring four 149 mm guns. Today, however, this passageway has been walled up and you cannot access the battery, while you can visit the long tunnel for the riflemen, which almost runs around the whole mountain. It is a sheltered and armoured trench with several slits where, at each corner, a gun-carriage could support a heavy machine-gun. USEFUL INFORMATION
How to get there: From Highway A23, take the exit Gemona/Osoppo and continue towards Gemona del Friuli/Tarvisio. Once you reach road SS13, continue until the junction with indications for Ospedaletto, take via Nazionale (on the right) and continue until you see Via Priorato on the left. Leave your car here and continue on foot along the trail.
Difficulty level: suitable for tourists on the trail
Duration: about 2 hours
Equipment: trekking shoes (dirt road), long trousers, water supply and a torch for visiting the tunnels
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Ufficio I.A.T. Gemona del Friuli
c/o Museo Civico di Palazzo Elti
Via G. Bini, 7
I-33013 Gemona del Friuli (UD)
Tel. 0432 981441 info@visitgemona.com
