A novel itinerary retracing the Great War
Your first 4-day journey from Rovereto to Trento, passing Monte Pasubio
- 4 days
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Grande Guerra
On occasion of its centenary, this novel 4-day itinerary accompanies you to a series of locations directly involved in the Great War, retracing events and recalling memories. Memories that have inspired the creation of museums, shows and exhibitions. The journey begins in Rovereto and ends in Trento, passing through Monta Zugna and Monte Pasubio along the way. You will walk, sleep in mountain huts, observe the stars, eat in a farmhouse and even be able to hop on an e-bike to visit the forts.
1
1st Leg
Your journey begins in the town of Rovereto where you can pay a visit the Italian War Museum: one of the main Italian museums dedicated to the First World War. Exhibits include everyday objects, documents and relics. The museum is also dedicated to the promotion of exhibitions and research and hosts a number of lively educational activities.
You can’t miss a visit to the Bell of the Fallen on the Colle di Miravalle, cast from the bronze of the cannons used by nations on both sides of the conflict. It is the largest bell in the world that is rang at full peal. Every evening at sunset, its 100 tolls evoke a sense of universal peace.
From here you can reach the Rifugio Monte Zugna mountain hut (at 1,616 metres), located on the mountain of the same name and which staged the important resistance of Italian troops to an Austrian offensive in 1916. Not far from the hut, you can admire the stars at the Astronomical Observatory of the Civic Museum Foundation of Rovereto. The route can easily be covered on foot, following part of a stretch of the Peace Trail.
2
2nd Leg
The second day is dedicated to a visit to the Fort of Pozzacchio in Trambileno. The last Austro-Hungarian fort to be built in Trentino, dug out of living rock, strategically commands the upper Vallarsa valley. However, it was never completed due to the outbreak of the war.
In late morning we suggest you make your way up Monte Pasubio. This area was scene to many events during the conflict and has an evocative force all of its own, so much so that it is considered “sacred” and has become one of the most significant and tragic symbols of the Great War.
You can park your car in the Giazzera area and start your walk towards the Rifugio Lancia mountain hut at 1,825 metres. We recommend a tasty break at the Malga Zocchi farmhouse where you can try out some delicious ricotta dumplings.
3
3rd Leg
The next morning, head back down to the valley and pick up your car. Make your way towards Serrada and then onto Lavarone (47 km) where you can visit Belvedere Fort. It is one of the largest fortifications of the First World War in Trentino and now hosts a museum with relics and multimedia exhibits that recount the history of the complex.
In the afternoon, moving over to Folgaria, you can rent an e-bike and take the Tour of the Forts:
a spectacular itinerary through the Austro-Hungarian fortifications of the Folgaria Alps. You can visit Fort Dosso delle Somme, make your way up to Forte Sommo Alto, the Rifugio Stella d’Italia mountain hut and Sommo Pass before making your way back to Folgaria where you can spend the night.
4
4th Leg
The next morning hop in your car and make your way to Trento. This capital city was considered extremely important, both strategically and politically, by the Austro-Hungarian High Command and not surprisingly was also one of Italy’s main objectives during the War.
Even today, besides the fortifications, the city hosts numerous places of great historical importance such as the National Mountain Regiment Museum (Museo nazionale storico degli Alpini) on Doss Trento and above all Buonconsiglio Castle, seat of the Austrian Military Tribunal.
In the afternoon you can pay a visit to the exhibition entitled “A hundred years on. Memories of war, prospects of peace” at the Palazzo delle Albere. A project entrusted to the iconic power of photography to help us not forget what has been.
In the late afternoon you can admire the city from a unique point of view: take the cable car up to Sardagna and enjoy an aperitif at Trento Alta.
