For every mountaineer, the refuge is more than a shelter — it’s a home, a symbol, a sanctuary on the mountain path. It embodies the memory of people, events, and ideals, and plays a vital human role.
The Città di Fiume Refuge represents everything that exiles had to leave behind: their city and their mountain shelters, which now symbolically live again here in the Dolomites.
The Six Refuges of the Fiumano Alpine Club
Egisto Rossi Refuge
Built on Mount Lisina at an altitude of 644 meters, it was inaugurated on December 14th, 1921. The building, originally owned by the municipality of Mattuglie, was adapted into a refuge by the Fiumano Alpine Club.
It featured a men’s dormitory and dining room, and a women’s dormitory divided by a wooden wall. Though it officially held 12–16 guests, up to 40 were hosted in winter. Heated by wood stoves, it remained open all year. The newer section was built by Russian prisoners of war between 1915–1917.
Gabriele D’Annunzio Refuge
Located on Monte Nevoso at 1,242 meters and inaugurated on September 12th, 1924, this large stone building included areas for the forestry administration, the military, and 300 beds for mountaineers.
The refuge measured 30 meters in length and 14 meters in height. The ground floor included the kitchen, men’s dormitory, and dining areas. The first floor held the women’s dormitory and private rooms. An attic was reserved for military use, and during their absence, it welcomed tourists.
Rodolfo Paulovatz Refuge
Inaugurated on May 26th, 1929, at 1,002 meters on Alpe Granda. The building was owned by Antonio Marceglia, who allowed the Fiumano section to use it in exchange for a tavern license.
It served as a midpoint between the “Egisto Rossi” and “Duchessa d’Aosta” refuges. Small and rustic, it had two rooms per floor, with just 4 beds. It was especially appreciated by those seeking solitude and silence in the mountains.
Benevolo – Colacevich – Walluschunig Refuge
Built in 1934 on Monte Oscale at 1,100 meters. It was open all year round and served meals. Named after a Fiumano legionnaire during the D’Annunzio campaign.
The refuge, made of fir logs, had two rooms: one for the kitchen and dining, and the other for sleeping (8 beds). It had no guardian. Keys could be requested from the CAI office with a 30 lira deposit.
Stefano Caifessi Refuge
Built at 1,060 meters on Monte Nevoso and inaugurated in 1930. Originally opened in 1914 by the Ljubljana Alpine Society, it was seized during WWI and later transferred to the Fiumano section.
Located two and a half hours from the Egisto Rossi refuge.
Guido Rey Refuge
The last refuge built by the section, inaugurated on December 8th, 1935, at 1,240 meters on Monte Nevoso.
Modern and elegant, it had 17 beds and 28 bunks, a semi-circular glass dining hall, and winter facilities for skiers. Heated by radiators, with water supply and wood storage. It was open year-round “with hotel service”.
These refuges, now lost, remain part of our history and legacy.
