Forte di Bard marks 20 years as cultural hub in Valle d'Aosta

In early 2026, the Forte di Bard celebrated 20 years since its reopening as a cultural space in 2006, following a decade-long restoration. The 19th-century Savoy fortress, originally built on a pre-Roman site, has attracted over 5 million visitors, transforming the local economy from industrial and agricultural to tourism. The complex now houses three museums: Museo delle Fortificazioni e delle Frontiere, Museo delle Alpi, and Museo Le Alpi dei ragazzi. To mark the anniversary, the project Capolavoro al Forte (2026–2028) features three Italian masterpieces per year, starting with Caravaggio's San Giovanni Battista from Gallerie Borghese. Current exhibitions include Sebastião Salgado's Ghiacciai (until September 2026). Future plans, outlined by president Ornella Badery, include strengthening partnerships with museums and universities for mountain culture research, promoting off-season tourism, and exhibitions on Mario Dondero (July 2026) and Franco Moschino (November 2026). The fortress also hosts an annual reenactment of Napoleon's 1800 siege.