Forte Dinnammare: An Italian Fort in the Strait of Messina Defence System
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.6
- Popularity
- Very Low
- Country
- Italy
- Primary era
- Modern
- Eras represented
- Modern
- Civilizations
- Italian
- Site type
- Military
- Remains
- Fort
On this page4 sections
History
Forte Dinnammare is a late-nineteenth-century Italian fort near Messina, Italy, built by the Kingdom of Italy around 1890 as part of the Forti Umbertini defensive system. This network of forts was associated with the reign of King Umberto I and formed part of Italy’s coastal and frontier defences. From its position, Forte Dinnammare was intended to control the Strait of Messina against incursions approaching from both the south and the north.
Military Use and Alteration
The fort was used by the Kingdom of Italy, Nazi Germany, and Italy, and became involved in the military history of both world wars. In 1932, part of the structure was demolished to make room for an inter-service Italian Navy barracks. The wider installation became the Dinnammare Military Base, which houses the Centro Nodalè Trasmissioni, a military communications centre responsible for handling and relaying signals.
Further partial demolition took place after the Second World War, while some parts of the fort were absorbed into the surrounding military installation. Forte Dinnammare remains under military ownership, and its surviving elements are understood through their incorporation into the present base.
Remains
Promontory Fortifications
Forte Dinnammare occupied a prominent promontory at approximately 1,100 metres above sea level, near the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Dinnammare. Its construction used sedimentary rock, concrete, solid terracotta bricks, and volcanic rock. The fort is partially destroyed, and portions of its fabric now form part of the military base. Its elevated position provided views over the sea and supported its role in controlling the approaches to the Strait of Messina.
