Fort Landro, Military fort in Toblach, Italy

Fort Landro is an Austro-Hungarian fortification at 1,500 m in the Val di Landro, near the former village of Landro and Carbonin, a hamlet of Toblach. It consists of two works set across the valley, a compact lower part on three levels and a smaller upper part, linked by an underground tunnel. Both are built of squared stone blocks. The lower part held three 100 mm howitzers in armoured turrets and four 90 mm guns; the upper part three 120 mm guns in armoured casemates and two 90 mm guns.

Austria-Hungary built the fort in 1880 to guard the approach into its territory. It was paired with Fort Prato Piazza in a pincer scheme meant to block an Italian advance from Cortina d'Ampezzo toward Dobbiaco along the Val di Landro. Judged unfit once war with Italy began, it was disarmed and its guns moved to open positions nearby, so Italian artillery caused no major damage; the fort instead became an operational command post. In 1936 the Italian general staff added a concrete bunker in the upper section.

The red cross painted on the fort's wall was added for the 1957 film 'A Farewell to Arms' with Rock Hudson and Vittorio De Sica, where the fort stood in for a military hospital. It was not a medical marking. The film is based on Ernest Hemingway's novel, not directed by him.

The site sits high in the mountains and requires a reasonable level of hiking fitness to reach, especially in poor weather. Sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended, as the elevation and alpine conditions can be demanding.

The red cross painted on the white background was added for the filming of 'A Farewell to Arms' with Rock Hudson and Vittorio De Sica, where the fort stood in for a military hospital. It is not a medical marking. The fort is now owned by the Italian military and is in poor condition, with the building unsafe, yet many people venture inside each summer at their own risk.