Festung Passati, Military fortress in Mels-Heiligkreuz, Switzerland.
Festung Passati is a military fortress built into the mountainside near Mels-Heiligkreuz. It holds two 7.5 cm bunker cannons and five machine guns positioned to monitor the Seeztal valley and the terrain beyond.
Built in November 1939, the fortress served as a counter-installation to the Castels artillery position across the valley. It remained active militarily until mid-1974, when it became privately owned.
The fortress reflects how Switzerland built its military defenses directly into the mountains during wartime. Walking through it, you notice how tunnels and gun positions are carved into the rock to blend the structure with the landscape.
Access can be demanding since the fortress sits on steep terrain and good hiking boots are recommended. Expect narrow tunnel passages and limited lighting if you venture into the interior spaces.
The fortress contained the command post for the Sargans North Front, making it a key hub in the region's defense network. This role is still visible in how the tunnel layout and command rooms are arranged.
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