Located on the top of Monte Grappa and on the right side of the Milan Barracks is the entrance to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele III.
Originally, the barracks and the tunnel were connected by means of an internal tunnel that allowed the safe passage of troops and personnel.
Its construction began in November 1917 and lasted almost 10 months, designed by Colonel Nicola Gavotti. It was a truly grandiose fortification work, with its development of 5 km entirely in tunnels.
The construction of the tunnel was a determining factor in the attempt to stop the Austro-Hungarian advance.
It is structured on a main corridor, about 1.5 km long, from which numerous side corridors are divided to accommodate artillery muzzles, observers and machine gun positions.
The tunnel, built below Cima Grappa, is 3 meters high and measures 2.50 meters in its maximum width and for its construction it was necessary to remove about 40,000 cubic meters of rock using 24 mechanical drilling machines.
To facilitate any offensive actions, several exit corridors were created, through which the troops could reach the outside with considerable surprise effect, and in complete safety.
At full capacity, 15,000 men equipped with all technical and logistical equipment could be accommodated, as well as 72 cannons and about 70 machine guns capable of firing on both sides of the Summit.
Today the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele III can be visited for half of its length, about 800 meters, in absolute safety as it is equipped with a lighting system.
