Metal casemate The access to the shaft of the metal casemate in the wall of the corridor of the south block. Notice in the wall the threaded rods which supported the metal ladder and one of the vertical railings beside the opening of the entrance (24/06/1999).

The brief fork which leads to the base of the metal casemate is located in the wall of the corridor at a height of about 2 meters. Originally, a metal ladder attached to the wall and two vertical railings beside the opening of the entrance, facilitated climbing. They are still present.

Currently, despite the lack of the ladder, the access is not very difficult, as you are agile and have fairly strong arms.

In any case, it is not advisable to enter, especially when alone, because of the risk of falling and the strong possibility that one of the many visitors to the area may drop down stones through the embrasure located more than 3 meters above.

The shaft of the metal casemate seen from the base. In the foreground you see the floor plate of the nest which originally rested on notches located near the top. The trapdoor has been removed. The embrasure is located in the flat wall of the cupola (24/06/1999).

The machine gun nest is equipped with a metal casemate strong enough to withstand heavy caliber bullets. It consists of four pieces bolted together and dipped in concrete in which metal handles are anchored.

The four pieces include:

• the cover which is the only part which partially protrudes to the outside;
• the base of the cupola in which the embrasure is mounted along with the seat for the swivel of the machine gun;
• the upper ring of the shaft with the notches for holding the pavement of the nest;
• the lower ring with the opening which permits access to the base of the shaft.

Access to the nest took place by means of a metal ladder which rose to the trapdoor in the chamber floor.

The upper part of the metal casemate seen toward the embrasure side. It barely sticks out from the superstructure of the concrete construction (24/06/1999).

The casemate above the embrasure is stamped with the marking

A.^DO F.A.
4

which indicates the builder (ANSALDO) and the four-piece type of casemate.