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All Italy Soriano nel Cimino Sasso Menicante (Trembling Stone)

Sasso Menicante (Trembling Stone)

This massive rock balanced for thousands of years being tossed here during a volcanic eruption.

Soriano nel Cimino, Italy

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Jan Claus Di Blasio
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Sasso Menicante on Monte Cimino   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
Sasso Menicante   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
The beech forest on Monte Cimino   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
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The peak of Monte Cimino in Central Italy is crowned by an ancient beech forest and massive volcanic rocks. None, however, are as famous as the sasso menicante (trembling stone), which was already known to Pliny the Elder, who recognized it as a natural wonder in his Natural History.

This massive trachytic peperino rock was hurled to its present resting site during the age of Monte Cimino's volcanic activity, between 1.35 million and 800,000 years ago. When the boulder crashed on the mountain, it found itself balanced on another buried volcanic rock. Until a few decades ago, the massive 250-tonne monolith, which measures 8.5 meters (28 feet) in length and 3 meters (10 feet) in height, could swing with the assistance of a lever, usually a log or branch.Nowadays, because of the accumulation of sediment, the boulder stands still. But all of those who visit this unusual natural monument give it a push, just to check.

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The boulder lies in the woods behind the parking area by the restaurant La Faggeta, on the top of Monte Cimino.

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LatiumMirabile

Published

May 29, 2020

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Sasso Menicante (Trembling Stone)
SP62
Soriano nel Cimino, 01038
Italy
42.411219, 12.202044
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Photo of Soriano nel Cimino

Soriano nel Cimino

Italy

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Soriano nel Cimino

Soriano nel Cimino

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Places 7

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