Fenestrelle: Fortress, History and Gofri

Fenestrelle combines an impressive fortress history with nature, sacred art and its own culinary tradition. The Orsiera Rocciavrè Nature Park includes Fenestrelle as one of its municipalities.

Experience the Fortress of Fenestrelle up close

The Forte di Fenestrelle consists of the three fortified complexes of San Carlo, Tre Denti and Delle Valli. A tunnel connects the complexes; it contains a covered staircase with 4,000 steps. This architectural connection alone makes the fortress a place where architecture, history and physical experience come together directly.

Three formats are available for guided tours of the Forte di Fenestrelle: Passeggiata Reale, Viaggio affascinante dentro le mura and Visita breve. A tour with a stronger focus on hiking follows the Scala Reale and the covered staircase, reaches the Forte delle Valli at an altitude of around 1,800 metres and includes the Santa Barbara, Porte and Ospedale redoubts. The Sui Passi del De Amicis tour allows visitors to see a section of the 4,000-step covered staircase and follows the route described in Edmondo De Amicis’ book Alle Porte d’Italia. This allows you to choose the tour according to your preferred focus, without equating the different formats in terms of content.

At the Forte di Fenestrelle, the Collezione del Governatore displays more than 300 species of stuffed animals.

Historical traces in the town

Fenestrelle also has noteworthy evidence of its past beyond the fortress. The Donjon is a historic district east of the Rio del Puy. Many of Fenestrelle’s oldest houses stand there; in times of danger, the Donjon served as the village’s fortified refuge. At the Convento on Via del Convento, the ruined façade of the Jesuit church can still be seen. Casa Martin also features a fresco dating from 1600.

The Chiesa parrocchiale di San Luigi IX contains a painting of Saint Carlo donated by Cardinal Pacca, a commemorative plaque for the architect Varino De La Marche and remarkable paintings in the choir. From 1809 to 1811, Cardinal Pacca was Napoleon’s prisoner in the fortress of Fenestrelle. The year 1685 provides another historical connection: at that time, Louis XIV established a fund of 60,000 lire for the construction of new churches in his territories in the Chisone Valley. In Fenestrelle, the present-day church was dedicated to Saint Louis IX.

Gofri and a recurring annual celebration

Gofri are part of the local culinary tradition. They are thin waffles made mainly from water, flour and yeast, baked in cast-iron plates. Their traditional grid pattern and thinness define their characteristic appearance. Gofri are often offered at fairs and festivals. They can be eaten plain or filled with cured meats, cheese, jam or chocolate spreads.

A regular date in the events calendar is the performance of the Bal da Sabre. It takes place every year on 25 August on the occasion of the Festa Patronale di San Luigi.

Fenestrelle as a starting point for your planning

The Forti Connessioni shuttle service connects Fenestrelle with Usseaux, the hamlets and the fortress. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation in Fenestrelle, you can therefore first consider which themes should shape your trip: the fortified complexes and their guided tours, the historical traces in the town, the nature park landscape or the regional food culture. The different tour formats help you plan your daily rhythm between a short visit, an in-depth exploration of the fortress and a tour with a stronger focus on hiking.

Other places for your travel planning

Trofarello, Sant'antonino Di Susa, San Pietro Val Lemina, Albiano D’ivrea, Ruà, Ivrea, Champlas Seguin, Settimo Vittone

For the overarching travel overview: Turin.