Base Nato Hawk - Sito 6 - Conetta (VE)

The former Silvestri Missile Base is located in the hamlet of Conetta, in the municipality of Cona, in the province of Venice, bordering the province of Padua. It is a state-owned area historically important for Italian air defense during the Cold War, later at the center of well-known events related to the reception of migrants, and currently the subject of redevelopment plans. History and Military Origins. Strategic Role: During the Cold War years, the installation operated as Site No. 6 Hawk Battery. Armament: It was equipped with the MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missile system, designed to defend against low-altitude air attacks. Structure: The area included sighting radars, logistics bunkers, kitchens, military accommodation buildings, and guard towers (turrets) along the perimeter. Decommissioning: With the shift in global geopolitical balances, military activity ceased and the base was officially abandoned by the Italian Army. Conversion into a Reception Center (CPA) The migrant emergency: Around 2015, the large, abandoned logistics facilities of the former base were converted into a First Reception Center (CPA) for asylum seekers. Critical issues: The site eventually hosted hundreds of people simultaneously in an isolated hamlet with very few residents. This situation generated strong social tensions, internal protests, and national news reports related to overcrowding. Closure: The reception center was finally emptied and decommissioned at the end of 2018. 4K video (60 fps) shot with a Xiaomi 12 T Pro smartphone and a DJI Osmo Mobile SE gimbal.