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
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
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 »
Dauer Museum of Classic Cars
Peasish (Hrachovina).
‘Hrachovina’
The Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial
The glass mural of old Zacatlán
Vitromurales de Zacatlán
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è pasta... E pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Tripe is fried to a crisp.
L’Osteria della Trippa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Rats didn’t take over the city by being foolhardy.
Do New York City Rats Deserve Their Bad Rap?
about 24 hours ago
The Secret Gardens Saving the World’s Rarest Plants
1 day ago
Solo travel can be challenging and sometimes lonely, but it also often leads to the greatest adventures.
Dear Atlas: How Do I Unplug on a Solo Trip?
2 days ago
Museum of Friends
The Art in This Museum Was Donated for Free
2 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 Castelnovo ne' Monti Pietra Di Bismantova

Pietra Di Bismantova

An Italian geologic wonder that served as the inspiration for the landscape of Dante's hell.

Castelnovo ne' Monti, Italy

Added By
lokiracer
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Looking out from the plateau.   lokiracer / Atlas Obscura User
Looking out from the plateau.   lokiracer / Atlas Obscura User
Pietra Di Bismantova   Paolo Picciati on Wikipedia
  marlaynaglynn / Atlas Obscura User
  marlaynaglynn / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Rising suddenly from the surrounding landscape in the Reggiano Apennines two hours north of Lucca, Italy, the Pietra di Bismantova has been inspiring writers and fantasists for centuries, even inspiring Dante's Mount of Purgatory. 

The stunning calcarenite plateau rises 300 meters above the surrounding hills, naturally drawing the attention of visitors to the area. Not unlike the similarly formed Devil's Tower in America, the Bismantova has been associated with an almost supernatural spirit. Mention of the stone tower dates all the way back to the fifth century CE when the Byzantines built a military post at the site, and more famously the tall rock was name-checked in Dante's classic Divine Comedy. The site continues to be a a source of inspiration for poets and musicians who have identified the wide spire in their work, but the bulk of the visitors to the site are rock climbers looking to crest that inspirational plateau. 

Related Tags

Geological Oddities Geology Literature

Know Before You Go

Drive to Il Rifugio Della Pietra

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

lokiracer

Edited By

Rachel, EricGrundhauser, marlaynaglynn

  • Rachel
  • EricGrundhauser
  • marlaynaglynn

Published

December 12, 2013

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pietra_di_Bismantova
  • http://www.parcoappennino.it/pagina.php?id=42
Pietra Di Bismantova
Viale Bismantova
Castelnovo ne' Monti, 42035
Italy
44.419896, 10.41147
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Museum of Prosciutto di Parma

Langhirano, Italy

miles away

Lago di Vagli

Vagli Sopra, Italy

miles away

Salse di Nirano

Fiorano modenese, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,064
Stories 110

Nearby Places

Museum of Prosciutto di Parma

Langhirano, Italy

miles away

Lago di Vagli

Vagli Sopra, Italy

miles away

Salse di Nirano

Fiorano modenese, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,064
Stories 110

Related Places

  • Russia

    Ulakhan-Sis Range

    A remote Arctic mountain range is home to "granite cities" found almost nowhere else.

  • A beach on the island with distinctive rock formations.

    Malpe, India

    Thonsepar

    These four small islands contain unique hexagonal rock formations.

  • The winding curves of Ybykty Canyon.

    Koyulus, Kazakhstan

    Ybykty Canyon

    This small canyon is home to a treasure trove of geological oddities.

  • Healy, Alaska

    Suntrana Canyon

    This often-overlooked canyon dazzles and intrigues with its many layers of colors, shapes and odd formations.

  • Looking down at the water-carved tunnels

    Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

    Trümmelbach Falls

    Visit Europe's largest subterranean waterfall, carved by water from the glaciers of the towering peaks surrounding the valley.

  • A view of the perfectly round Lac Pavin.

    Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise, France

    Lac Pavin

    This volcanic crater lake is renowned for its perfectly round shape, stunning blue-green waters, and unique geological properties.

  • Pyramids of Euseigne

    Hérémence, Switzerland

    Pyramides d'Euseigne

    These spindly, stone-capped formations are the product of glacial deposits and thousands of years of erosion.

  • Colorful sandstone cliff just west of the Colorock Quarry.

    Moapa Valley, Nevada

    Buffington Pockets

    The rocks exposed at Valley of Fire State Park also occur in a much less known but equally spectacular area a few miles to the southwest.

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.