Fortifications

The fate of border regions is often defined by their need for defence, which is why La Thuile’s history is intrinsically linked to its fortifications. The Little St. Bernard pass has long been a strategic crossing point between Italy and France, famously traversed by figures such as Hannibal with his elephants, Napoleon with his 40,000 troops of the Second Italian Campaign, and even his loyal horse, Marengo. However, these historic passages left only literary footprints. The real fortifications did not emerge until the Savoy era, driven by the proverbial intolerance of the Piedmontese house for the frequent French incursions.

La Thuile’s main fortifications include those of Colle della Croce, Mont du Parc and those situated on the Little St. Bernard Pass. Fort Sandino (1911), named in honour of the Nicaraguan guerrilla fighter, sits at the top of the Colle della Croce. This fort offers breathtaking views of the Graian Alps and the Mont Blanc massif. Nearby, you’ll find two barracks that once housed defensive garrisons and a series of 17th-century trenches that unravel along the pass, built at the behest of Prince Thomas of Savoy. On Mont du Parc, you’ll find the Battery of the same name, constructed in 1892, today reduced to a series of evocative ruins, worth visiting for their intense views over the valley.

Moving southwest, the Little St. Bernard Pass features entrenchments arranged in an arc around the Reclus stream, and the “Forte della Ridotta” fort, equipped with defensive structures and service rooms. In addition to these historic fortifications, La Thuile is also home to numerous bunkers that serve as enduring reminders of the fierce battles of World War II.