A bulwark against French invasions: upper level of the early 19th century Forte di Bard, a strategic stronghold built to control an alpine gateway to northwest Italy, the steep-sided narrow gorge above the Dora Baltea river and town of Bard in the Valle d’Aosta or Aosta Valley.
Bard, Valle d’Aosta, Italy: the Forte di Bard, a strategic stronghold bristling with gun ports, was built by the House of Savoy on a rocky spur high above the Dora Baltea river, at the narrowest point of the steep-sided Aosta Valley gorge. The present complex, rebuilt 1830-1838 on the orders of Carlo Felice, Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia-Piedmont, is on the site of pre-Roman fortifications, a fifth century Ostrogoth stronghold and a 10th century castle. The medieval castle withstood the French during the 1700s War of the Spanish Succession, and in May 1800, a garrison of 400 men halted a 40,000-strong French Napoleonic army planning a surprise assault on the Po Valley and Turin. They held the pass for two weeks before surrendering and in revenge, Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the castle’s destruction. The replacement fort was designed by leading military engineer, Francesco Antonio Olivero, to withstand further attacks from France. It was built on three levels, with its buildings defended by separate fortified gun emplacements. The new fortress had 283 rooms, housed up to 416 soldiers, was defended by 50 artillery pieces and stocked enough supplies to last three months. This view shows the upper level, the Carlo Alberto Opera, which had barracks and arsenals surrounding a quadrangular arcaded courtyard, the Piazza d’Armi. The fortress lost its strategic role in the early 1900s and after periods as a powder magazine and prison, fell into disuse in 1975. It has since been thoroughly restored by the Aosta Valley region, and in 2006 it reopened as a major cultural attraction. Fort Bard now houses the Museum of the Alps and an interactive Children’s Alps display, as well as art galleries and exhibition space. Visitors ride a funicular railway to the upper level, where the courtyard hosts summer concerts and theatrical events.
Size: 4256px × 2832px
Location: Bard, Valle d'Aosta, Italy
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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