Exilles Fort – an Alpine fortress in Italy between history and legend

History and description

Originally built in 1155, as documented by historical records, Exilles Fort stands on a rocky spur to control the valley. It is a complex structure featuring courtyards such as the Knight’s Courtyard and the Prison Courtyard, moats including the Great Moat that highlights the building’s grandeur, bastions, cellars, and staircases—among which the “Stairway to Paradise” stands out—along with museum areas and numerous panoramic viewpoints. Contested for centuries between France and the House of Savoy, the fort had a particularly turbulent history: it served both as a roadside castle and a bastioned fortress, was destroyed by the French after the Treaty of Paris in 1796, and later rebuilt by order of the King of Sardinia. Eventually, it lost its military function and was acquired by the Piedmont Region, which restored it and reopened it to the public.

Curiosities

Beyond its unusual structure for Italy, the fort is also tied to numerous legends, including that of the Man in the Iron Mask. This mysterious prisoner, whose identity has never been confirmed, was mentioned by Voltaire in his writings during his stay in the Bastille, and in correspondence between the Marquis of Louvois and Bénigne de Saint‑Mars, where references were made to the expenses for his upkeep.

Access

Accessible only through guided tours held three times a day, the fort can be visited at the cost of €8, with free entry and specific reductions available. It also houses the National Mountain Museum dedicated to the Alpini military corps.

How to reach it

The building can be reached by car via the A23 motorway from Turin towards Susa and then Exilles, or by train with a bus connection from Exilles railway station.

Immersed in both history and legend, Exilles Fort is an unmissable stop when visiting Piedmont.

Photo credits: Touriste (Wikipedia) - Licensed by public domain