25. WWI: Monte Corno and the "Busa dei Capitani"

This trail goes from Monte Corno to Stützpunkt Perlone and Busa dei Capitani, some of the strongholds along the Austro-Hungarian front line during the Great War.

The trail climbs through olive groves and chestnut woods to the summit of Monte Corno. A panoramic and therefore strategic position overlooking the pass below, there is an extensive defence system composed of trenches, walkways, tunnels, artillery and gunnery stations.

"Busa dei Capitani" got its name from the two bas relief busts found inside the ruins of a military building. It proved impossible to tell who they were supposed to represent until a local historian identified Emperor Franz Josef and his successor to the throne Archduke Karl of Habsburg. The Archduke was a frequent visitor to the Trento front as Commander of the Armed Forces and a signature on one of the busts is most likely really his.