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HISTORY OF THE VETTOR PISANI BATTERY MUSEUM

The Vettor Pisani Battery owes its name to the Supreme Commander of the Venetian fleet who in January 1380 won a resounding victory against Pietro Doria’s Genoese fleet during the war of Chioggia.

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THE DEFENSIVE SYSTEM OF VENICE

The construction of the Pisani Battery dates back to the 1909-1912 period (inside the building, in front of the main entrance, you can still see the marble construction plaque), when an important coastal defense system was set up in the Cavallino area to protect Venice from the threat of naval attacks. The battery is built a few meters from the sea and – like the other coastal batteries – at that time was protected on the side of the beach and on the flanks by a huge dune of sand and clay, with the dual function of hiding it from the sight of enemy ships and protecting it from possible cannon shots.

FORTIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS

The building, made of reinforced concrete, consists of a central tunnel 80 meters long with a barrel vault, two side wings of 30 meters each and two telemetric towers that reach a height of 11 meters. The central body, developed on a single level, is crossed by two parallel corridors connected to each other. The telemetric towers, which had the function of observation posts, rise from the two lateral bodies of the building. Along the walls, for the close defense on the north side, 138 rifle loopholes are aligned while at the two ends are visible the two embrasures (or caponieres). These were equipped with Colt Browning machine guns, nicknamed “potato diggers” for their particular lever mechanism. The uncovered area also contains an artesian well with tanks that were used as a washhouse and drinking trough.

BATTERY ARMAMENT

The Pisani Battery was armed with six howitzers 280 L/9, installed in barbette (defensive structures of artillery) on semicircular emplacements arranged on the fortress square. The barrels faced the sea and the maximum range was 10,500 meters. Already in the Great War the howitzers of the Pisani Battery, unsuitable for breaking through the armored decks of modern Austro-Hungarian warships, were replaced with four 76/40 anti-aircraft guns. At the Pisani Battery, which was part of the “Pordelio Artillery Group”, the 5th Company of the Permanent Army, 1st Fortress Artillery Regiment, was stationed; however, the operational soldiers were housed partly at the “Mandracio” Barracks (Ca’ Vio) and partly in the current logistic base of Ca’ Vio. During the Second World War the Pisani Battery was garrisoned by a German command and the armament was again replaced with modern 90/53 caliber 1941 model cannons for anti-aircraft defense. The Battery was occupied by civilians until the last decades of the 20th century.

RESTORATION OF THE MILITARY BUILDING

In September 2004 the Pisani Battery underwent a first cleaning and reorganization intervention by Civil Protection volunteers. In 2006 a reclamation of the area, carried out by volunteers of the cultural-historical association “Il Piave 1915-1918”, brought to light various objects related to the two world wars. Some of these finds are visible inside the Museum.

Following the initial operations of recovery and redevelopment of the property, after the concession of the Pisani and Amalfi Batteries to the Municipality of Cavallino-Treporti (2014/2015), the restoration procedures were started, with the opening of the site to works on 24 May 2016. The “conservative” restoration applied to the fortifications was made possible thanks to the double contribution of the Municipality and the Region. In fact, on the occasion of the Centenary of the Great War, the Veneto Region has allocated a large sum of money aimed at protecting the historical and cultural heritage of the First World War.

The Pisani Battery thus opens its gates to the public in the summer of 2017 as the Museum of the Great War.

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Opening hours
The V. Pisani Battery Museum is open at the following times
Until September 30th: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last admission at 5:15 p.m.), closed on Mondays.

Tickets
Adults: €10
Children 6-17 years old – over 65: €5
Family ticket (2 + 2/3 children): €20
Children 0-5 years old: free admission
Disabled with accompanying person: free admission

Tickets for residents of Cavallino-Treporti
Adults: €5
Children 6-17 years old: €2
Children 0-5 years old and over 65: free admission

Information

Do you need more information about Via dei Forti and the V. Pisani Museum?
Here’s how you can reach us:

V. Pisani Battery Museum
via Vettor Pisani 40
Cavallino-Treporti (VE)
Tel. +39 041 2909555 – Cell. +39 348 3164470
Email: info@viadeiforti.it

Tourist Information Office
via Fausta 406a
Cavallino-Treporti (VE)
Tel. +39 041 8626322

How to get there

The V. Pisani Battery Museum is located at Via V. Pisani 40 in the hamlet of Ca’ Savio, municipality of Cavallino-Treporti in the province of Venice.
Arriving by car or tourist bus on the A4 freeway, take the Venice exit and follow the signs for “Mare” and then Cavallino-Treporti.
Arriving by ATVO public transport take line 23 to the Ca’ Savio/ via Livenza stop, then continue on foot through via Livenza for about 750m.

Accessibility

The V. Pisani Battery Museum is accessible to people with motor disabilities, both in the external area and in the internal area of the exhibitions. An exception is the telemetric tower which has an external flight of stairs, reconstructed on the original. From the parking lot to the Museum entrance, the route is wide and on gravel.

TIPS FOR VISITING
TIPS FOR VISITING

We invite you, before visiting the V. Pisani Battery, to observe the following notes:

– Minors must be accompanied by a parent or adult responsible for them.
– Pets are not allowed. Dogs and cats are allowed only of small size in your arms or inside a special bag. Exceptions are guide dogs for the blind provided they are on a leash and muzzled.
– Drinks and food cannot be consumed inside the structure except in the dedicated spaces.
– The use of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes is forbidden (including indoor open area).
– It is recommended to wear appropriate clothing (not skimpy, not in a bathing suit, not shirtless).
– Children should be supervised by their parents at all times and held by the hand if they are small.
– We invite you to adopt appropriate behavior (not dangerous), do not leave the visitor routes and / or go beyond the protective barriers of the terraces and turrets.
– Photography without flash is allowed, except where expressly prohibited.
– It is forbidden to make video recordings and audio recordings if not authorized.
– The Cavallino-Treporti Municipality and the Cavallino-Treporti Tourist Park Consortium are released from any liability for damage to persons or property caused by failure to comply with the above points..

The staff thanks you for your cooperation!

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