Monte Catria

The Monte Catria is a mountain in the central Apennines. It represents the highest part of the northern sector of the Appennino Umbro-Marchigiano range. It was also mentioned in the Divine Comedy that the giant 18m (60 feet) high cross, weighing 16 tonnes, was first built at the top in 1901 but destroyed by a storm in 1907. It was rebuilt in the 1960s. There is also a ski lift and the latest was built as recently as 2006. There is run all the way back to the village from the top when snow conditions are good, but the lift served terrain is at the top. The highest peak of Monte Catria is at 1,702 metres (5,584 ft) above sea level. It is a massif of limestone rocks dating to some 200 million years ago. Historically, it marked the boundary between the Exarchate of Ravenna and the Duchy of Spoleto.