Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
29 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
29 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
29 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
29 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Bagolino NATO Troposcatter Station IDGZ

NATO Troposcatter Station IDGZ

This abandoned IDGZ station was one of 49 troposcatter stations in the NATO ACE High network.

Bagolino, Italy

Added By
Doug Ward
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Whole compound from mountain pass.   snowjunkie21 / Atlas Obscura User
Whole compound from mountain pass.   snowjunkie21 / Atlas Obscura User
View from the station (Passo dei Galli)   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
NATO Troposcatter Station IDGZ   snowjunkie21 / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
NATO Troposcatter Station IDGZ   snowjunkie21 / Atlas Obscura User
NATO Troposcatter Station IDGZ   snowjunkie21 / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Troposcatter Station IDGZ was a telecommunications station located on top of Dosso dei Galli in the Brescia Alps. The station, which operated from 1969 to 1995, was part of the ACE High system, a radio communication network that connected NATO from North to South.

The IDGZ station was connected to the German Feldberg station to the north and the Italian Monte Giogo station to the south. The station used troposcatter technology, which allowed for line-of-sight communication even when the two stations are beyond the horizon. Troposcatter technology is reliable and works even in adverse weather conditions.

The IDGZ station was an important part of the ACE High system. The ACE High network enabled NATO to communicate quickly and securely during the Cold War. The station was closed in 1995, but its remains can still be visited in the late spring through late fall months (Apr-Nov) when SP345 is open over the mountain pass.

Related Tags

Abandoned Military History Cold War

Know Before You Go

Although NATO Troposcatter Station IDGZ is officially under the Bagolino municipality, it is located about 20 km away from Bagolino (8 km by crow's flight). This is due to the countless switchbacks to climb to the top of the mountain where the station is.

There is an entry gate that is usually locked and blocked with boulders. You can park a vehicle outside and walk along the paved road for about 15 minutes to visit the remaining structures including, radar dishes, bunk rooms, a power station, and a 4th-floor crow's nest. (Only accessible by road Apr to Nov, road condition dependent).

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

snowjunkie21

Edited By

Max Cortesi

  • Max Cortesi

Published

August 29, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
NATO Troposcatter Station IDGZ
Bagolino
Italy
45.853697, 10.375548

Nearby Places

Bagolino Old Cemetery

Bagolino, Italy

miles away

Miniera Torgola

Collio, Italy

miles away

Cima Ora Fort

Bagolino, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Bagolino

Bagolino

Italy

Places 3

Nearby Places

Bagolino Old Cemetery

Bagolino, Italy

miles away

Miniera Torgola

Collio, Italy

miles away

Cima Ora Fort

Bagolino, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Bagolino

Bagolino

Italy

Places 3

Related Places

  • Calumet Air Force Station

    Mohawk, Michigan

    Calumet Air Force Station

    One of the few Cold War-era bases with many of its original structures still standing.

  • The abandoned PACBAR III site

    Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

    Abandoned Pacific Barrier Radar III

    This abandoned radar site is slowly being taken back by the jungle, its mission cut short by the end of the Cold War.

  • Mt. Umunhum Cube

    Los Gatos, California

    Mt. Umunhum Cube

    An ominous concrete cube cuts a dystopian silhouette atop this California mountain.

  • A Cold War relic and Seattle historical landmark

    Seattle, Washington

    Phinney Park Air Raid Tower

    This Cold War siren is one off the last of its kind still standing with its immensely powerful original horn.

  • Nike Missile Site SF-51

    Pacifica, California

    Nike Missile Site SF-51

    Another of California's unused Cold War missile defense complexes has become a graffiti gallery.

  • Abandoned Radar Base in Trinidad

    Trinidad and Tobago

    Abandoned Radar Base in Trinidad

    This giant Cold War satellite dish has become a symbol of Trinidad's need for sovereignty.

  • Children play among the old missile equipment.

    Addison, Illinois

    Nike Park

    Cold War missile launch site which has been converted to a public park.

  • Missile Hanger as seen from the outside.

    Türisalu, Estonia

    Turisalu Missile Hangar

    Abandoned Soviet base once stocked with short and medium range missiles pointed at western Europe.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.