At the gates of Italy.

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Page By: chaberton

Created/Edited: Oct 26, 2011 / Oct 28, 2011

Object ID: 756150

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Introduction.

The Alps were traversed for centuries by men in arms, from the arc
to the guns.

Since ancient times, the Alps have been a formuidabile bulwark in defense of the Italian peninsula. But soon, men have discovered the steps and passes that were put in communication the Po Valley with the transalpine countries.
The Romans realized this very well, with the barbarian invasions and the legendary expedition of Hannibal. They built fortified towns to protect the borders of the empire, such as: "Augusta Pretoria (Aosta) or Segusium (Susa).
The Piedmontese had always shop from their powerful neighbors, the France (the so-called transalpine cousins).That is why since the time of the Duchy of Savoy, the small state with limited financial resources, built impressive fortifications to defend its borders.

"The Sentinels of Stone."
These were built and destroyed according to the fortunes of war. Today remain silent and peaceful witness of a time that was. After years of neglect and decay were finally restored, by hosting museums, surrounded by the wonderful Western Alps.

The Map. (1901)

A border to defend.

Map of the Susa Valley in 1901. Stating the main works to defend the Kingdom of Italy.

The ancient "Tour d'Amont".

Built in the XII century by the Lords of Bardonecchia.

During the French wars of religion, Bardonecchia was the scene of a bloody clash between the opposing parties. In 1562, a group of Waldensian (Protestant) was pushed by the Catholic French troops to take refuge in Bardonecchia. Here most of them (including the two hundred and four hundred) succumbed while the remainder (about 150) took refuge in the Tour d'Amont, where they were flush with fire and killed.

My world, a castle to protect and to love.

" Fenestrelle " The Great Wall.

Designed by the engineer Ignazio Bertola for safety of the French-Italian border.
The Fenestrelle is a fortified complex built in the eighteenth century to the nineteenth century in the locality in Fenestrelle Chisone (near Turin).
Construction began in the reign of Victor Amadeus II and ended with Charles Emmanuel III. It followed five military engineers to be able to complete.
Do not ever endured a siege.
Today Museum open all year round.

Fenestrelle as seen from Brìc Maria

" Exilles " The contention mountain.

From 1155 to 1818, Exilles was fought between the French and Piedmontese, that whenever the position conquered, demolished the fort, rebuilding it with the front fire facing the enemy.
The Fort was rebuilt between 1818 and 1829 by the King of Sardinia. The present work, made design of the captains of Engineers Rana and Oliviero.
Legend has it that it was the prison of the "Iron Mask".

Today is the Museum of the Turin Olimpic Winter Games and Mountains troops, open all year round.

The prison of the man in the Iron Mask .

"The hill of windows" .

The door between Susa and Chisone Valley.
It is the Carrefour of one of the most beautiful, longher and higher dirt road of the Western Alps (60 Km.).