Forte Preara, Military fort in Verona, Italy
Forte Preara is a polygonal fort situated on a hilltop north of Montorio, positioned between Valpantena and Mizzole Valley. It contains multiple levels with barracks, ammunition storage, and artillery positions arranged to maximize defensive coverage of the surrounding terrain.
The fort was built between 1859 and 1860 under the direction of the Imperial Royal Office of Fortifications. It formed part of a comprehensive defensive line surrounding Verona during the period before Italian unification.
The name comes from Baron Franz von John, who led the construction project for this military installation. Visitors can walk through the stone rooms and observe how the structure was fitted into the hillside landscape.
The site is accessible on foot, though visitors should expect a steady uphill walk to reach the hilltop location. Wear sturdy footwear and plan to spend time exploring the interior, where shade from stone walls provides relief from sun exposure.
The fort was originally equipped with different types of cannons positioned strategically along the walls to cover multiple approach routes. Traces of this original armament are still visible in the artillery positions when visitors explore the structure today.
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