Pietra Parcellara, Black serpentine mountain summit in Bobbio, Italy.
Pietra Parcellara is a mountain near Bobbio with a summit at approximately 836 meters elevation, featuring dark serpentine rock formations that contrast sharply with the surrounding lighter colored clay hills. The distinctive dark stone makes this peak easy to spot from the Trebbia Valley floor.
The mountain area was once called Prescigliera and held a monastic fortress during the Lombard period. Later the site became part of the Abbey of Bobbio's substantial landholdings in the region.
An oratory stands at the mountain's base, connected to the local parish and serving as a space where people gather for prayer and reflection. The site draws visitors who seek a spiritual moment in this quiet hillside setting.
Two marked trails reach the summit: one starting from Brodo features steel cable sections, while another from the northwest oratory takes roughly twenty minutes. The oratory route is more straightforward and less demanding than the Brodo approach.
Part of this mountain is composed of material from Earth's mantle, originally from the ancient Tethys Ocean around 200 million years ago. This rare geological feature reveals how the planet's crust has shifted and been pushed together over vast time scales.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
