The history of the Fronza alle Coronelle mountain refuge
A century of hospitality in the mountains
The Fronza alle Coronelle Mountain Hut boasts a rich history dating back to 1899, when it was built and subsequently inaugurated in 1900 by the Cologne section. Hans Villgrattner was appointed as the first manager and ran the refuge until 1927. During this period, in 1912, a dormitory was added to accommodate more visitors.
After the First World War, in 1920, the refuge underwent a significant change when the Italian State expropriated it and entrusted it to the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) of Verona. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the main body of the refuge, leaving only the dormitory intact.
Management then passed to Francesco Jori, a mountain guide, from 1927 to 1945. After the Second World War, Checco Vian took over the reins of the refuge, managing it together with his family until 1966, when another fire devastated the old part, which was rebuilt in 1969. Subsequently, management was transferred to Maria, Vian's daughter, and her husband Francesco Trottner.
In 1982, the management of the refuge passed to Vittorio and Pierpaolo, the sons of Maria and Francesco, marking the fiftieth year of Vian-Trottner family management in 1995. In 2000, the refuge celebrated its hundredth anniversary, an occasion during which the CAI of Verona presented a book recounting its history.
Since 2010, ownership of the refuge has passed from the Verona section of the C.A.I. to the Autonomous Province of Bolzano. Since 2014, Pier Paolo Trottner has continued to manage the refuge with his family, offering warm and experienced hospitality to the many visitors who each year choose to spend time among the peaks of the Dolomites.
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