The defences of the harbour entrances, coastline and lagoon
The tour exploring the lagoon’s defensive system can be taken by vaporetto — Venice’s water bus system —, bicycle, car or bus with regular ferry services available. Before reaching Chioggia, you can see the moats and ramparts of Forte Brondolo, a quadrangular fortress with four pentagonal bastions. In Chioggia, the boat trip departs from Piazzetta Vigo. Guarding the harbour entrance is Forte S. Felice, formerly known as Castello della Lova (lit. Lova Castle), which has an irregular polygonal layout. Heading towards Pellestrina, you will come across Forte Caroman, which is now abandoned, and Ottagono (lit. Octagon) Caroman, which controlled the internal canals. Pellestrina’s coastline, a natural barrier, extends to the Malamocco mouth, which is protected by Forte S. Pietro, Ottagono S. Pietro and Forte Alberoni. Along the coastal strip on the left, you can see the Ottagoni Alberoni, Campana and Poveglia. At the Lido’s mouth, on the right, stands Forte S. Nicolò with its 19th-century Ridotto Austro-ungarico (lit. Austro-Hungarian Redoubt). Aligned with the mouth of the Lido is the Torre Massimiliana (lit. Maximilian Tower) on the island of S. Erasmo, built between 1830 and 1840. Further north lies the island of Lazzaretto Nuovo (lit. New Lazaret), which served as a health facility until the 19th century. Near Burano, on the island of Mazzorbetto, lies Ridotto Mazzorbo. This was built by the Kingdom of Italy in 1909 on the site of the Monastery of St. Euphemia. Next, you will arrive at the Arsenale (lit. the Dockyard), which is located to the right of the island of S. Pietro di Castello and is surrounded by crenellated walls. This ancient site was once a naval and patriarchal centre. From the Ponte Translagunare (lit. the Lagoon-crossing Bridge), you can reach Mestre, which is the starting point for exploring the forts on the mainland.

The Fortifications of the Mainland
The fortifications protecting the mainland reflect the strategic shifts of the 19th century, with a particular focus on defending the railway and Verona’s stronghold. The tour begins at the Ponte Translagunare, following the canal towards Mestre and Forte Marghera. In Tessera stands Forte Bazzera’s 20th-century armoury. Heading north, you will arrive at Forte Carpenedo, which features late 19th-century military quarters that have been reconstructed. In Mestre, on the road to Noale, lies Forte Gazzera, which is open to visitors on specific dates. To the south-west, near Malcontenta, stands the pentagonal Forte Tron. These forts bear witness to the evolution of Venetian defensive strategies aimed at protecting the city, the lagoon, and the links with the mainland.