Explore the colossal 19th-century Fortezza Fortress: a labyrinth of history
Image gallery: Fortezza Fortress
On the shores of the reservoir lake near Fortezza, right by the Brennero Road, rises the mighty Fortezza Fortress (Festung Franzensfeste). It's part of the Provincial Museums of South Tyrol. This 20-hectare complex, with its gigantic labyrinth of rooms, corridors, and stairways, was built between 1833 and 1838 under Ferdinand I of Austria, nicknamed "the Beneficent". It's named after Franz Joseph I of Austria (1830-1916), who reigned at the beginning of the planning phase.
The fortress was intended to secure the crucial transport link through the Upper Valle Isarco and over the Brennero Pass. At times, between 3,000 and 4,000 men worked simultaneously on its construction. Ammunition was stored in the upper caverns, while the lower section housed the barracks. A 433-step staircase carved into the rock connected the two areas. Although designed for military conflict, the Fortezza Fortress was never involved in active combat.
Several smaller bunkers can still be found in the surrounding area. These were built by the Italian military after 1930 to reinforce the fortress. The new permanent exhibition "Bunkerd. Bunker in South Tyrol" is dedicated to this Alpine Wall, which includes over 300 bunkers in South Tyrol alone.
The museum within the fortress houses further exhibitions spread across various buildings. It also serves as a venue for events. How to get there: You can reach the fortress via the Brennero Road. There's a large car park opposite. The Val Pusteria Cycle Path also passes right by it. From Fortezza, you can continue on the Upper Valle Isarco Cycle Path towards Vipiteno and Brennero.
Contact info
- Via Brennero / Brennerstrasse - 39045 - Fortezza / Franzensfeste
- +39 0472 057218
- info@franzensfeste.info
Opening times
Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.
Admission
€ 9.00 adults
€ 7.00 groups (more than 15 persons)
€ 7.00 students (up to 27 years)
€ 7.00 apprentices
€ 7.00 people with disabilities
€ 7.00 seniors 65+
€ 2.00 school classes
free for children under 6 years
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family ticket:
€ 18.00 2 adults with children under 16 years
€ 9.00 1 adult with children under 16 years
More information
Special exhibition "Disposing of Hitler. Out oft he cellar, into the museum" from April 5 to November 9, 2025: Conceived by the House of Austrian History in Vienna, the exhibition examines social responsibility in dealing with relics of National Socialism.
Every two years, the Fortezza Fortress presents contemporary art at the "Fort Biennale" exhibition. Each Biennale focuses on a theme relevant to the fortress and its future direction as a museum centre for modern and contemporary South Tyrolean history.
The next edition will be in 2026.
The Fortezza Fortress stays open every year from early March to early November, Monday rest day (except on public holidays). It remains closed in winter. Season start 2025 on the 1st of March.
