Post by willi1 on Jun 7, 2018 12:40:13 GMT
The Hotel Campo Imperatore, built in 1934, is located on the plateau of Campo Imperatore at an altitude of 2130 m on the slopes of Monte Portella, in the Gran Sasso d'Italia massif.
The hotel became famous in 1943 when, following the overthrow of fascism and the subsequent arrest of Mussolini, it was elected a prison for the former head of government to extradite him to the Allied forces. Mussolini was taken to Campo Imperator on August 28, after being held prisoner on the island of Ponza and Maddalena, as the Gran Sasso appeared as a safe and inaccessible place.
On September 12, 1943, however, a liberation strike, which is known as Operation Oak or Gran Sasso Raid.
Some gliders with German paratroopers managed to land the aircraft in front of the hotel and free the prisoner to the astonishment and disorientation of the Italian soldiers, who in no way impeded the operation. Mussolini was brought via Vienna to Hitler to Germany.
The hotel became famous in 1943 when, following the overthrow of fascism and the subsequent arrest of Mussolini, it was elected a prison for the former head of government to extradite him to the Allied forces. Mussolini was taken to Campo Imperator on August 28, after being held prisoner on the island of Ponza and Maddalena, as the Gran Sasso appeared as a safe and inaccessible place.
On September 12, 1943, however, a liberation strike, which is known as Operation Oak or Gran Sasso Raid.
Some gliders with German paratroopers managed to land the aircraft in front of the hotel and free the prisoner to the astonishment and disorientation of the Italian soldiers, who in no way impeded the operation. Mussolini was brought via Vienna to Hitler to Germany.
After the war, the hotel was renovated several times and flanked by other accommodation, including a hostel. It was not damaged by the 2009 earthquake and still works. Currently it is being renovated again.
