Hidden away in a forest near Monzone a
small hamlet near Pavullo, MO is a remarkable natural arch with a free span of
33m.
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| Ponte d'Ercole, Monzone, MO |
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| Ponte d'Ercole, Monzone, MO |
I was searching the web for another place
when I came across this curious place. It was quite difficult to track down and
to find the exact location on the map. But once I arrived at Monzone, and found
the start of the footpath, it was quite well signposted and after a short half
hour walk I arrived.
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| Ponte d'Ercole, Monzone, MO |
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| Ponte d'Ercole, Monzone, MO |
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| Ponte d'Ercole, Monzone, MO |
I misjudged the fact that the snow whilst
entirely gone in the mountains above Reggio, was still present in the Apennines
above Modena.
It seems the top of the arch was at one
time the sill of a waterfall where the water over time hollowed out the softer rock
below the sill and eventually formed the natural arch. The arch is a couple of meters
wide and it is possible to walk across it.
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| Ponte d'Ercole, Monzone, MO |
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| Ponte d'Ercole, Monzone, MO |
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| Ponte d'Ercole, Monzone, MO |
Archaeological excavations have found
evidence that from prehistoric times right though to the middle ages, this
place was used for rituals. Part of the arch seems to have been remodelled with
a small font at one end ot the arch and a couple of holes to let water pass bore
through just above it.
The Apennines continues to surprise me with
these curious places that I come across quite by accident.
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| Ponte d'Ercole, Monzone, MO |
