The Roncogno Battery was built between 1879-81 to bar the way to Trento from Valsugana. The battery was connected by trenches to the Cimirlo battery, which was a little higher up Monte Celva. The battery was constructed of limestone and has a horseshoe shape. The battery had an internal cistern in addition to the food supply rooms. The battery was armed with 3 9cm M75 F.K and 4 12cm M61 fortress guns in casemates.
World War I Like most fortifications around Trento, the battery was obsolete, so the decision was made to move the artillery from the fort to a special cave on the northern side of Monte Celva. The battery is the start of the famous “Path of 100 Steps”.
Post-war Roncogno was discharged from the military on Dec. 8, 1927. Summarily, the fort was sold, in 1949 the property came under the ownership of the municipality of Trento. In 1989, the municipality started renovating the battery, trying to get it back to its original condition. In 2008, another renovation project was started.
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