Photo: Jumk18, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Fortress / Tower
Werk Tonale
Architectural structure in Vermiglio, Italy
At a glance
- Type
- Fortress / Tower
- Period
- Modern era, 1908
- Protection
- Italian national heritage
- Coordinates
- 46°16′47″ N, 10°37′25″ E
History and description
Fort Tonale (German: Werk Tonale) also known as Fort Zaccarana or Saccarana (Italian: Forte Zaccarana), is an Austro-Hungarian fortification built to guard the Strino and Sole Valleys in Northern Italy. The fort was built between 1908 and May 1912. The fort was equipped with a generator, telephone room, and a water cistern. Tonale was the communication hub for surrounding fortifications. The crew consisted of 4 officers and 163 enlisted men.
World War I
In August 1915, the Italian fort Corno D’Aola and 2 28cm mortars targeted Tonale, causing a great deal of damage. The mortar commander, Captain Sbriscia, straddled the fort 3 times, before scoring a massive hit on the ammo magazine and propelled 1 of the armored domes out of its housings. This killed 5, and wounded 13, with the armored dome reportedly rolling around. The guns were summarily disassembled and moved nearby.
Post-war
In the 1930s, the Italians decided to scrap the steel from Tonale to help continue Mussolini's war on Ethiopia. This left the fort in ruins. It was eventually made safe to enter in 2009. This meant removing loose concrete blocks and rubble.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Werk Tonale».
Timeline
- 1908Built
Events and people from Wikidata (CC0).
Photos
Getting there
MezzanaTrain, nearest
14.2 km as the crow flies
Werk Tonale
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore fortresses and towers in Trentino-South Tyrol
Frequently asked questions
Where is Werk Tonale?
Werk Tonale is in Vermiglio, in the province of Trento (Trentino-South Tyrol), Italy. GPS coordinates: 46.27972, 10.62361.
How old is Werk Tonale?
Wikidata dates it to 1908.
What else is there to see near Werk Tonale?
Nearby you’ll find: Forte Mero (500 m away), Werk Strino (1.5 km away), Forte Velon (1.6 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 3 photos
- Vermiglio - Forte Saccarana - 202209102103 — Jumk18, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Beim Werk Tonale, Verteidigung Presanella. (BildID 15515232) — K.u.k. Kriegspressequartier, Lichtbildstelle - Wien, Public domain
- Vermiglio - Forte Saccarana - 202209102042 — Jumk18, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences