2024 The Serbs' Path September 29, 2024

We start at elevation 1065, a few curves above Castellano, on the road leading to Passo Bordala. The path climbs quite steeply through the forest and over rocks that increasingly emerge along the trail, sometimes in the form of mighty rocky spurs. We reach Bassa (1684) and stop there to eat. Most of us continue further up to the Alta peak (1923), then return. We then descend via an alternative path to the shrine of St. Anthony, on the provincial road and then to the parking lot, not far away. 

Technical data

Length 14.4 km

Elevation gain +670 m.

Total time taken 6.20 h.

Personal rating E/MF

The Serbs' Path was created during the Great War by Serbian prisoners of war on the mountain of Castellano (Villa Lagarina). The current path deviates in parts from the original Serbian path but remains visible with remnants of dry stone walls, mostly fallen and covered by vegetation. Path number O623B is maintained by the Rovereto section of the Society of Alpine Tridentines.

In Trentino, there are also other paths and works called Serbian or Russian, also built during the Great War, such as on Monte Stivo, where many artifacts, trenches, and shelters dating back to that period can be rediscovered. Serbian prisoners left a sad memory in Trentino, as they were harshly treated and often humiliated, beaten; they mainly died due to the hard daily work combined with poor and scarce food. This dire situation led them several times to rebel, although without any results, risking their lives seriously. It is told of an episode in which 300 Serbian prisoners, after being locked inside Castellano Castle, decided to revolt and the next day were hanged from the trees along the village roads for a whole day.

It often happened that the Serbs, forced to carry heavy loads on their shoulders starting from the square, exhausted and without strength, could not bear the heavy weight. Indeed, data shows that most deaths in Castellano in March 1916 were due to collapse and exhaustion.

Thanks to the analysis of the local Death Register dated December 31, 1915, it can be clearly deduced that near Castellano (Valle di Cei) there were not only Serbian and Russian prisoners but also militarized labor units.