Page 64 - Coespu Magazine 2017-2

THE 52 TUNNELS PATH

This year marks the hundredth anniversary of the completion of the mountain path well-known as
“Strada delle 52 Gallerie”, which is a military trail built during World War I on the massif of
Pasubio, in the district of Vicenza, Italy. This extremely pioneering track winds between the starting
point named Bocchetta Campiglia, at the height of 1,219 m, and the gates of Pasubio, at the height
of 1,934 m, crossing the southern side of the mountain.

In 1916, after the massive Austro-Hungarian Offensive also known as Strafexpedition, the Italian
Army responded to the attack reinforcing its positions on the Pasubio Mountain and occupying the
southern peak, called “Italian Tooth” or “Dente
Italiano”. Similarly, the Austrians took place on the
northern peak known, consequently, as “Austrian
Tooth” or “Dente Austriaco”. These two peaks are
facing each other, separated by the small area of
“Selletta dei Denti”, which soon became a backdrop
to many bloody battles right up until the end of the
conflict.
At that time, the Italian front line on Pasubio was
supplied by the track named “Strada degli
Scarubbi”, an 8 km road located on the northern
side of the massif, which was now exposed to
enemy fire: it was therefore necessary to find a new
route. This requirement forced the construction of
the Strada delle 52 Gallerie on the southern slope of
the mountain, away from the Austro-Hungarian
artillery fire.
Considering that Pasubio was a crucial stronghold
Starting point of 52 tunnels path

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