Photo: Ilaria Panozzo, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- Type
- Fortress / Tower
- Period
- Modern era, 1906
- Protection
- Italian national heritage
- Coordinates
- 45°50′01″ N, 11°23′15″ E
- Address
- 36010 Tresché Conca, Roana (VI)
History and description
Fort Corbin is an Italian fortification that is part of the Agno-Assa Barrier. Construction started in 1906 and ended in 1911. Fort Corbin was crucially placed at the confluence of the Astico and Assa Rivers. Corbin is a “typical” Italian alpine fort, with an armament of 6 149mm howitzers in 18cm thick revolving steel cupolas, and 4 old bronze 87mm guns in casemates. Together with Forte Casa Ratti just below, they were meant to block the whole Astico Valley from invaders. Corbin’s roof was 25cm thick, and was able to resist all but the heaviest artillery possessed at the time.
World War I
Despite being one of the newest forts in its group, it was disarmed at the beginning of the war with Austria-Hungary in May 1915. To fool the Austro-Hungarians, tree trunks painted black were put in their place. On May 15, 1916, the Austrian 38cm howitzer "Barbara” fired 57 shells at Corbin from near Fort Lusern 13,250m (8.2mi) away. During the Battle of Asiago a few days later, Fort Corbin was captured by 24th Feldjäger Regiment with help from the 47th Feldjäger at the end of May. The next day Italian troops were ordered to recapture Corbin. At 6:30 that day, the 12th company of the 1st Grenadier Regiment set out towards Corbin, and 30 minutes later the 10th company also set out. The combined attack by 5 companies began at 8:15. The attack quickly made headway, but the timely arrival of 12 soldiers repelled the assault. The Italians recaptured the fort on June 25, 1916, after the Austro-Hungarians abandoned it. Due to the precarious position of the fort in relation to the frontline, the restabilization efforts strictly took place inside.
Post-War
For a few years after the war, Fort Corbin was used to house troops during training. It was later put under the ownership of the Forestry Corps when the extraction of the metals was being undergone. In 1942, Corbin was bought by Emilio Panozzo. Corbin was used to house Panozzo’s livestock while they grazed nearby. The first restoration was started in the 1980s, and ultimately the fort was cleaned up and turned into a museum by the owners without financial help. Unlike many WWI museums, Corbin is still owned and operated by the family of Emilio Panozzo. Today the command house houses a restaurant.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Forte Corbin».
Timeline
- 1906Built
Events and people from Wikidata (CC0).
Photos
Getting there
SchioTrain, nearest
13.9 km as the crow flies
Forte Corbin36010 Tresché Conca, Roana (VI)
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore fortresses and towers in Veneto
Frequently asked questions
Where is Forte Corbin?
Forte Corbin is in Roana, in the province of Vicenza (Veneto), Italy. Address: 36010 Tresché Conca, Roana (VI). GPS coordinates: 45.83353, 11.38757.
How old is Forte Corbin?
Wikidata dates it to 1906.
What else is there to see near Forte Corbin?
Nearby you’ll find: Museo storico militare forte di Punta Corbin (0 m away), Forte Casa Ratti (1.5 km away), Bostel (2.3 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 9 photos
- Foto panoramica di Forte Corbin — Ilaria Panozzo, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Caserma dei Regi Carabinieri di Forte Corbin — AndreaDFC, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Caserma innevata dei Regi Carabinieri di Forte Corbin — AndreaDFC, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Forte Corbin abc1 — Patafisik, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Forte Corbin, Roana abc1 — Patafisik, CC BY-SA 4.0
- In memoria di Carlo Stuparich vicino a Forte Corbin — Pivari.com, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Galleria CORBIN — Ilaria Panozzo, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cannocchiale — Ilaria Panozzo, CC BY-SA 4.0
- MAV Fossato — Ilaria Panozzo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences