In 1915 the great war reached the Austrian Dolomites, as the neutral Italy declared war on the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The Austrian military high command feared that bypassing the Alps, the Italian army could reach the city of Vienna, so it was decided to secure the most important routes and mountain passes in the region. One of these strategic locations was the Falzarego Pass, connecting the Valle del Boite with various other valleys of the Dolomites. This pass is overlooked by the nearly vertical cliffs of the small Lagazuoi, a 2,300 feet high mountain. It was almost impossible to attack the enemy, taking shelter above the steep cliffs so characteristic of the Dolomites.

Source: Forbes November 11, 2017 18:22 UTC