Fort Bard is a fortified complex built in the 19th century by order of the house of Savoy on a rocky promontory above a small town Bard in the Italian region of Val d'aosta. After many years of neglect, the Fort was completely renovated in 2006-m year opened its doors to visitors as a Museum of the Alps with exhibition halls and galleries. And in the summer on the territory of its main yard offers musical and theatrical performances.

The Fort of Bard, located at the entrance to the valley of Aosta, stands in a narrow gorge above the river Dora Baltea. For over a thousand years it was used for the control of this historic road between Italy and France. The present fortifications were built by order of Charles albert of Savoy between 1830 and 1838 m years on the site of the castle of the 10th century, which in turn was built on the foundations of ancient buildings of the 5th century. The castle was owned by the powerful rulers of the bard until the mid 13th century, and then passed into the possession of the Savoy dynasty. It was during the last Fort was strengthened and modernized significantly.

In may 1800-year 40-strong French army was stopped 400 Austro-Piedmontese soldiers at Fort Bard. They held the pass for two weeks, completely upsetting the plans of Napoleon for the sudden attack of the valley and Turin. Learning of the defeat of his troops, Napoleon called Fort "evil castle bard" and personally ordered to raze it to the ground. Only in 1830, the year of the Sardinian king Charles albert of Savoy, fearing further attacks by the French, decided to rebuild the Fort. The solution of this task was entrusted to the famous Italian military engineer Francesco Antonio Olivero. As a result of these works, which lasted eight years, came to light duplex Fort. Its upper part had the traditional battlements, while the bottom 50 gun embrasures with separate casemates designed to protect weapons in case of attack. Just a 238-room Forte could fit 416 soldiers. The upper level also housed the Armory yard with warehouses and barracks. Supply of food and ammunition could be enough for three months of siege.

By the end of the 19th century the Fort of Bard lost its military importance and fell into disrepair, however, the Italian army continued to use it as a powder depot. After the closure of the Fort in 1975, the year he became the property of the government of the Autonomous region of Val d'aosta, and in 1980-ies became a tourist attraction of the valley, despite the fact that many of his design was in need of repair. Only in the late 1990s, the Fort was again closed, this time for renovations, after which he was turned into a Museum of the Alps.