Franzensfeste: Fortress, Bunker and Brenner Cycle Route

Franzensfeste between Fortress, Bunker and Valley Passage

Franzensfeste combines an extensive fortress complex with underground military history, technical topics and striking cycle routes. In the narrow valley passage before Brixen/Bressanone, Franzensfeste Fortress and the green-shimmering reservoir shape the landscape. This creates a diverse setting for your holiday, where architecture, historical events, landscape and movement offer different focal points.

The Fortress as a Historical Centre

With 65,000 square metres of floor space, Forte di Fortezza is the largest historical site in the whole of South Tyrol. The “La Cattedrale nel deserto” exhibition covers the design and construction of the fortress, as well as the history of the transport and storage of gold in Franzensfeste. The fortress’s permanent exhibition also tells the story of the fortified structure and the gold belonging to the Bank of Italy, which was stored there during the Second World War.

You can reach the Forte Alto of Forte di Fortezza only as part of a guided tour. The ascent leads up an underground staircase with 452 steps. From the viewing platform, you have a unique view of Forte Basso and Forte Medio, the village of Fortezza and the surrounding landscape. In addition to its interior spaces, the fortress therefore also offers a clearly defined panoramic perspective.

Exhibitions on Tunnel Construction and the Alpine Wall

The BBT-INFOPOINT is a permanent exhibition about the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel in the historic rooms of Franzensfeste Fortress and covers almost 200 square metres. The BBT-INFOPOINT includes interactive scanner tours through the tunnel and a multimedia experience of the tunnel construction process.

The permanent exhibition “Bunkerizzato. Bunker in Alto Adige” deals with the Alpine Wall built in the 1930s and 1940s. Five of the more than 300 bunkers in South Tyrol are located in Franzensfeste. The exhibition includes a faithful replica of Bunker No. 3, as well as artefacts, photographs, texts, infographics, documents and videos. Bunker No. 3 is located in a forest near Franzensfeste Fortress. Its underground system extends for 290 metres and overcomes an elevation difference of almost 26 metres in the natural rock.

The exhibits also include a rocket developed in 1950 that is more than eight metres long and weighs two tonnes, could be launched up to 48 kilometres and could carry conventional, chemical or nuclear warheads. The door to the final exhibition room can only be opened with a code determined through a visitor puzzle.

Franzensfeste as a Starting Point for Cycle Tours

From Franzensfeste, the Brenner–Bolzano Cycle Route runs for 45 kilometres in the direction of Brenner or 43 kilometres in the direction of Bolzano. Another connection is the Pista ciclabile della Val Pusteria from San Candido via Brunico to Fortezza. It is one of two cycle routes that run in front of Franzensfeste Fortress. The different route lengths give you a concrete basis for planning your cycling days according to direction and distance.

Getting to the Fortress

From Franzensfeste railway station, it is about a 20-minute walk to Franzensfeste Fortress. There is a bus stop directly at the main entrance; at the “Festung” stop between Aicha and Franzensfeste, buses stop only on request.

Further destinations for your travel planning: Pfitsch, Sterzing, Freienfeld, Ratschings, Mareit, Mauls, Brenner

For the higher-level travel overview: Wipptal.