Monte Parodi

Monte Parodi is a 673-meter peak in the Ligurian Apennines characterized by steep forested slopes and a conical limestone-dolomitic structure. The summit stands prominently above the La Spezia landscape with distinctive geological formations.

The Forte del Parodi was built between 1883 and 1885 as part of La Spezia's defense system and operated until 1945. After its military use ended, the fortress remained abandoned and stands today as a reminder of that period.

The mountain is home to the ancient Menhir of Tramonti, which was discovered in 1922 along a medieval path that once connected San Venerio Abbey to Cinque Terre. This stone monument links visitors to a distant past woven into the landscape for centuries.

The peak can be reached by driving to 617 meters elevation, followed by a brief ten-minute walk on a dirt path. This short climb makes the summit accessible to people with different fitness levels.

The summit plateau contains karst formations with numerous sinkholes, and nearby Monte Biassa rises to 621 meters as a secondary peak. These geological features create unusual terrain that many visitors overlook.