10 Unusual Places to Visit in Italy
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Italy’s unusual landscapes and historic sites include a bell tower in a reservoir, a Renaissance sculpture garden and Roman remains beneath the sea. These ten places invite a closer look at the stories behind them.
Check official access information before planning a visit. Protected sites, mountain routes and thermal or volcanic areas have rules that may change with conditions.
Lake Resia, South Tyrol
At Lago di Resia/Reschensee, a medieval bell tower rises above the reservoir. The hydroelectric project flooded old Curon/Graun and part of Resia in 1950, displacing residents. The tower is a reminder of that history as well as a striking landmark.
View it from the shore and explore the local history. A frozen surface is not proof that the lake is safe to walk on; use only routes expressly opened by local authorities.
Official background or visitor information
Consonno, Lombardy
Consonno, near Olginate, was transformed in the 1960s from a rural village into an ambitious entertainment development. Its unusual buildings, including a minaret-like tower, later fell into decline. The remaining structures give it a distinctive abandoned appearance.
Check permitted access with local organizers or the municipality. Ruined buildings are not an invitation to enter: stay on authorized routes and respect private property.
Official background or visitor information
San Fruttuoso and the Christ of the Abyss, Liguria
The abbey of San Fruttuoso stands in a cove on the Portofino peninsula. Nearby, the submerged bronze Christ of the Abyss is associated with the area’s diving heritage. These are separate attractions: an abbey visit does not include underwater access to the statue.
Reach the abbey by boat or marked park paths, checking sea conditions and opening information. Arrange any underwater visit with an authorized operator and respect the marine protected area.
Official background or visitor information
Sacro Bosco of Bomarzo, Lazio
The Sacro Bosco, also called the Parco dei Mostri, was commissioned by Pier Francesco “Vicino” Orsini from the mid-sixteenth century. Huge carved creatures and unusual structures create a landscape very different from a formal Renaissance garden.
Interpretations of the garden’s symbolism vary; grief, literature and the patron’s experiences are possible readings rather than one proven explanation. Check the official visiting information and enjoy the sculptures along the designated route.
Official background or visitor information
The submerged remains of Baia, Campania
Part of ancient Baia is now underwater because of bradyseism, the gradual rise and fall of the ground in the Campi Flegrei area. The protected archaeological site preserves Roman structures and mosaics beneath the sea.
Authorized diving, snorkelling and boat activities offer different ways to explore it. Choose the activity appropriate to your skills, check operating conditions, and leave the remains untouched.
Official background or visitor information
Cascate del Mulino, Saturnia, Tuscany
Near Saturnia, the thermal stream forms stepped pools and small waterfalls beside an old mill. The outdoor setting and warm water make the Cascate del Mulino a popular Maremma destination. These public pools are distinct from the nearby commercial spas.
Check current local access and parking arrangements. Temperatures and footing vary between pools; follow posted rules. Enjoy the setting without treating a visit as a guaranteed cure for skin or circulatory conditions.
Official background or visitor information
Pyramids of Zone, Lombardy
Near Lake Iseo, erosion has shaped glacial deposits into tall earth columns capped by boulders. The larger stones protect the material beneath them until further erosion changes the formations. The result is the unusual landscape of the Piramidi di Zone reserve.
Follow the marked viewing route and check current admission information. Stay away from the fragile columns and wear shoes suitable for uneven paths.
Official background or visitor information
Pietra di Bismantova, Castelnovo ne’ Monti, Emilia-Romagna
This isolated, flat-topped rock formation is a landmark of the Reggio Emilia Apennines and part of the national park. Its summit is about 1,047 metres above sea level: that figure is its elevation, not the height of its cliffs. Dante mentions Bismantova in Purgatorio.
Choose a marked hiking route from the park’s guidance and check restrictions or closures. Hiking routes and technical climbing routes require different equipment and experience.
Official background or visitor information
Solfatara of Pozzuoli, Campania
Solfatara is a volcanic crater within the active Campi Flegrei caldera. Steam and gas emissions are part of its hydrothermal activity, which INGV monitors along with earthquakes and ground deformation. It should not be described as a harmless, sleeping volcano.
Treat this as a place to learn about volcanic geology, rather than an unrestricted crater walk. Check official local access information and Civil Protection guidance; do not enter fenced or restricted geothermal areas. INGV provides information about the wider volcanic system.
Official background or visitor information
Fosso Bianco, Bagni San Filippo, Tuscany
At Bagni San Filippo, thermal water has built striking white limestone deposits in the forest. The formation called the Balena Bianca, or “White Whale,” takes its name from its shape. Pools and streams have different temperatures; the temperature at a hot spring does not describe every bathing spot.
Check current local access arrangements and follow posted restrictions. Keep to permitted paths and bathing areas, and do not climb the fragile white deposits. The landscape is an attraction in its own right, without promises of medical treatment.
Official background or visitor information
Italian for a site visit
È possibile visitare il sito? — “Is it possible to visit the site?”
Serve una guida? — “Is a guide needed?”
Quali aree sono aperte al pubblico? — “Which areas are open to the public?”
Which place interests you most: the landscape, the history or the art?
