In the 20’s, parts of the structure were removed to be reused in the reconstruction of the villages of the tableau destroyed during the conflict; soon after, the “recuperanti” moved in and started their activities to recoup as much as they could to sell in order to make a living. It was a process which continued even during the 30’s.and the 40’s. It was a disaster.
The damage caused by the bombs during the war was rather limited, but the work carried out by the “recuperanti” reduced the fort to a heap of debris.
Finally, the Italian government realized that the condition of the structure had reached a point of no return for its rehabilitation and decided to dispose of it.
In 1942 the fort was bought by Emilio Panozzo, a farmer of Tresche’ Conca, and it became a private property with no other future but that of being a grazing ground for his animals in summer.
The first attempt at restoration was initiated in the eighties by Severino Panozzo, the son of the owner, with the removal of the debris which were covering the whole area of the fortress and with some works undertaken to make the areas safer for potential visitors.
The process of transformation of the fortress into a war museum started therefore unconsciously and proceeded by means of physical and financial efforts of the owners without any public contribution. This work received a very important recognition in 1997 when Alberto Angela chose fort Corbin to produce a documentary with the troupe of Super Quark.
In the nineties the fortress had already achieved the appearance of a museum in the open which could be visited in its entirety. At that stage it obtained recognition by the superintendence of Verona recognition as a historical war museum. It was then that the “Comunita’ Montana dei Sette Comuni”, the leading force behind the Project for the Eco-museum of WW 1 on the Pre-alps, advanced the proposal of a convention to the Panozzo family through which they could gain access to funds offered in accordance with law No. 78/01. After very careful consideration, the owners refused the offer and decided to continue with the work at their own expense.
The passion which had been born and had grown in the family was strong enough to grant the upkeep and the constant improvements which are required by this type of structure.
The care and the structure and of the museum together with the green areas of the site get the whole Panozzo family involved in keeping the area in good order and safe for the visitors.
