On August 19, 1696, the community of Cortina d'Ampezzo halted the construction of Castello de Zanna, fearing that a private fortress would threaten local security in times of war and undermine their democratic traditions. Commissioned in 1694 in the hamlet of Majon by Giovanni Maria de Zanna, the building was left permanently unfinished. Giovanni Maria had received the title of "Noble of Holy Trinity and Royal Stone" from Emperor Leopold I for his service during the Ottoman siege of Vienna, adding to the nobility granted to his ancestor Pietro de Zanna in 1559.
What to see
The site consists of a small ruined fortress made of low, white outer walls and two matching white corner towers. A small chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity stands on what was intended to be the main façade. The abrupt halt to construction sparked a local legend comparing the villagers to Penelope, claiming they dismantled by night what had been built by day. De Zanna was ultimately permitted to construct only a residential home, which was looted and set on fire by invading French troops in 1809. The damaged structure has seen no further major alterations since.
Our editors' tip
While walking through the hamlet of Majon, pay attention to how the surviving white towers and 17th-century perimeter walls sit right alongside modern private homes and tourist accommodations.