Forte Cassa
Forte Cassa is a fort in Val-Cenis built in the late 1800s when Italy strengthened the high Alpine passes along its border. The structure has a polygon shape with multiple gun placements and underground chambers designed to defend the plateau and control the plains below.
Forte Cassa was built between 1871 and 1910 as part of Italy's defense strategy to control the Mont-Cenis Pass after the nation unified. The fort was part of a larger network of fortifications that worked together with batteries like La Court and Paradiso to monitor the border region.
Access to the fort is via hiking trails across the plateau, and visitors should know that many underground areas are closed for safety reasons. Guided tours or the nearby Pyramide Museum are better options for understanding the site's history and layout.
The fort was designed to coordinate with other forts like Fort Ronce, with each position covering a specific firing range to create overlapping defensive zones. This coordination of fire coverage shows a thoughtful military design that remains visible today in how the structures are positioned across the plateau.
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