Pietra di Bismantova

History

The Benedictine hermitage of the Madonna of Bismantova clings to the south-east face of the great crag cited by Dante in Canto IV of Purgatorio. Documented from 1411 around a pre-existing chapel and rebuilt in 1617, it depended on the monastery of San Giovanni in Parma; it preserves fifteenth-century frescoes and is today a Marian sanctuary, no longer home to a monastic community.

Visiting

What to see

Hermitage clinging to an isolated Apennine monolith, visible across the whole valley. Church of the Assumption with XV-XVII century frescoes. Cited by Dante in the Purgatorio (IV, 26). Open views across the ridges of the Reggio Apennines.

Surroundings

Tosco-Emilian Apennines National Park. Nature Trail (5.5 km loop). Pietra Refuge. Beech forests. CAI trekking.

Visitor information

Accessible via trekking trails. Refuge open. Contact Castelnovo pro loco for information.

Contacts

+39 0522 613238 · comune.castelnovo-nemonti.re.it · info@rifugiodellapietra.it

Hospitality and where to sleep

Guesthouse available

Hotel-refuge Foresteria San Benedetto below the crag

Beds and prices

No monastic hospitality; right below the hermitage is the Foresteria San Benedetto, a hotel-refuge in an old church-owned building (875 m), and there is wide choice in Castelnovo ne' Monti (budget-to-mid range).

Services

Historic bar-restaurant Rifugio della Pietra just below the hermitage (903 m) and refreshments at the Foresteria San Benedetto; water and facilities at the refreshment places; all shops in Castelnovo ne' Monti, a few minutes downhill.

Places to stay nearby (within 15 km)

• Rifugio della Pietramountain hut
  Castelnovo ne' Monti, Pietra di Bismantova (via Bismantova 43/a) · 0.6 km as the crow flies

  Price:

  on request (0522 613238)

  Open:

  year-round (check weekday opening off-season)

  Facilities:

  guesthouse with beds, bar-restaurant serving local food, at the foot of the Pietra's rock face, next to the Benedictine hermitage

  Source:

  rifugiodellapietra.it · parks.it/rif/rifugio.della.pietra

  Sleep at the base of the Pietra di Bismantova, in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park: a spectacular stage finish.

Getting there by bike

From Castelnovo ne' Monti you climb on asphalt to Piazzale Dante, at the foot of the Pietra, with about 2 km of decisive ramps; from the car park the hermitage (947 m) is a few minutes' walk on paved surface. Bikes to be left at the car park or by the refreshment places. Free entry.

From Castelnovo you climb two firm kilometres to the square below the cliff. The Foresteria San Benedetto, just below the hermitage, is a good base with a proper breakfast. The hermitage still means one last climb on foot, over paved ground with an open view.

Bike can be left at the square or near the refreshment points. Bar-restaurant Rifugio della Pietra and food at Foresteria San Benedetto. All shops stay in Castelnovo ne' Monti, a few minutes downhill.

Map and stages