Civillina e Cengio

Along the great Ortogonale 1 strategic line, Mt. Civillina (964 mt. AMSL), with its battery of 149G cannons, represented an important defence hub in the event of a collapse of the Pasubio front. Here, the Ortogonale 1 line crossed the Ortogonale 2 line, which blocked crosswise the Agno and the Leogra valleys. The important stronghold of Mt. Cengio (838 mt. AMSL) had been built along this second line, which in 1918 ran from Campodavanti, touched Mt. Spitz di Recoaro and Mt. Civillina, then entered the Leogra valley until the foot of Mt. Novegno. The stronghold’s batteries could bomb the bottom of the Leogra valley and the slopes in front of Mt. Civillina e Mt. Enna.

From 1916, the Military Engineer Corps designed and built an important road system along the lines to enable the movement of troops and vehicles, and the delivery of supplies.

As an alternative to the Magrè –Zovo Pass – Colombo Pass – Civillina road, which was exposed to enemy fire, the Zovo Pass – Castrazzano – Civillina road was built.

Blast-holes and deposits of explosive material had been prepared, in order to interrupt the three roads leading to the stronghold in the event of enemy advance.

The stone marker placed in 1916 to witness the completion of a new road coming from the Agno valley bottom, bore the following words: MCMXVI / R-ESERCITO ITALIANO / 1A ARMATA (1916 / Royal Italian Army / 1st Army); it is well preserved and still visible to this day.