Abstract
ABOVE Stresa, on the western bank of Lago Maggiore, there is an enormous granite boulder, which deserves the attention of geologists. It lies on the left slope of an old moraine, near the little village of Gignese, and not far from the Hotel Alpino, at an elevation of about 2500 feet above the sea-level. It is roughly oblong in shape, and measures some 75 feet in length, and perhaps half as much in breadth and thickness. The projected mountain railway from Stresa to the summit of Monte Motterone will pass close to the spot where it lies, and the masons are already engaged in converting the smaller boulders into building-stones. It is to be hoped, however, that la pietra papale, as this splendid example of the carrying powers of ice is called by the villagers, will not suffer the like fate. The Italian Alpine Club, will, we may trust, interest themselves in this matter.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
SCLATER, P. “La Pietra Papale”. Nature 41, 30–31 (1889). https://doi.org/10.1038/041030e0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/041030e0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.