Fort Marghera

The fort is located in a scenic area of about 30 hectares, between the lagoon and the mainland. Built on two islets, it was started by the Austrians in 1805 and completed under the French domination between 1809 and 1814. This is the first and the most extensive of the eleven forts that make the so-called “campo trincerato” (entrenched camp) of Mestre. On the north-east side of the fort perimeter, facing outwards, there is a battery equipped with a sequence of small firing positions, made for the needs of World War I. One of the four barracks inside the fort is used as the exhibition hall for Historical Military Museum; displayed in it are the remains and artefacts related to the fort history, objects found in trenches, as well as a collection of weapons, tools and materials used by the Italian Medical Service during World War I, and many photos of soldiers on the front.

The fort is open to the public, with accessible routes and restored sections that showcase its historical significance. Five structures have recently been restored; about ten are currently in use, many others are ruins.
Promotion is led by the Municipality of Venice.

© Forte Marghera Fundation