The Pisani and Amalfi Batteries

Military Infrastructures in Cavallino ‒ Treporti

Easy | 1 hr (optional cycling tour + 1.5 hrs)

The V. Pisani Battery with its World War I Museum is the hub of Via dei Forti, an open-air museum, based on what was an impressive fortified system, intended for defending the city of Venice.

The Pisani Battery was built in the early 20^th century and named after the Supreme Venetian Commander who defeated the Genoese fleet in the War of Chioggia towards the end of the 14^th century. Its main armament consisted of six 280/L howitzers which ranged over 10 kilometres. Built in reinforced concrete, it contains two 11-metre high telemetry turrets. The turrets were provided with goniometers, used to estimate the distances of the selected targets through the so-called triangulation system, and with panoramic sight rangefinders. During World War I, the battery stood only a short distance from the sea and the facing side was concealed by a terreplain of sand.

During the tour you can visit the exhibitions held in the Museum, concerning Trigonometry in the littoral, and Health Care at the time of war. Then the permanent exhibition Splinters, where you can discover how hard life in the trenches was, see the armaments used in those years, learn about the battles fought in the surroundings and learn about war in this territory. The museum has a brand new exhibition Men at Sea 1915‒1918 and a new multimedia room. Here you can get all the information about Via dei Forti and the military buildings included in it.

Photos: (1‒5) Franco Cogoli, Parco Turistico, Comune di Cavallino Treporti; (6, 7) Fundacija Poti miru