Forte Venini di Oga

World War I

Fort Dossaccio’s job was to bombard the peaks of Monte Cristallo, and Scorluzzo, in addition to the rear lines behind the Austro-Hungarian forts near the Stelvio Pass. The fort was activated on May 22, 1915, the day before Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary. On June 5, 1915, the fort bombarded the peak of Monte Scorluzzo. Dossaccio continued its bombardment of Austrian positions until the summer of 1916, but with little success. As the front slowly moved away from the fort, the decision was made to disarm Dossaccio. 2 of its howitzers were moved to Monte delle Scala, while the other 2 howitzers were placed near the Pedranzini Pass. The machine gun domes were placed in the Zebru Valley. In May 1918, General Badoglio feared an Austrian counter-attack and ordered that the fort be re-armed to combat such an event.

Post-war

The fort remained occupied by a mountain artillery unit even after the war had ended.

In 1938, the fort underwent major renovations and improvements aimed at making the fort more efficient. The same year it was included in the XXII GaF sector. From 1946-58 the fort was kept in good condition and was still in active service. In the summer of 1958, the fort was decommissioned and oddly enough the gun barrels were scrapped but not the turrets. Over the years the fort has undergone acts of vandalism much the same as other Italian forts. The fort was purchased by the municipality of Valdisotto and turned into a museum. Today, the museum has turned each room into a display that details its purpose. Fort Dossaccio is 1 of few Italian WWI fortifications that are still in near perfect condition.