About
Dante's hell was inspired by this Italian geological wonder.
The Pietra di Bismantova, which rises 300 meters above the surrounding hills in the Reggiano Apennines two hours north of Lucca, has been inspiring writers and fantasists for centuries. The stunning calcarenite plateau draws the attention of visitors to the area, and has even 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. The site continues to be a source of inspiration for poets and musicians who have identified the wide spire in their work, but the bulk of visitors to the site are rock climbers looking to crest that inspirational plateau.