Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Collepardo Pozzo d'Antullo

Pozzo d'Antullo

An enormous sinkhole that local lore attributes to the anger of the Virgin Mary.

Collepardo, Italy

Added By
Jan Claus Di Blasio
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Pozzo d’Antullo   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
Pozzo d’Antullo   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
Pozzo d’Antullo   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

On the road between the small towns of Collepardo and Vico nel Lazio in eastern Lazio resides an enormous karstic sinkhole, one of the most amazing geological wonders in Central Italy.

Originally, there was once a cave here and at some point, the roof collapsed, exposing this enormous hole. The sinkhole measures between 40 and 70 meters in depth and is inaccessible without ropes and speleological equipment. The circumference of the sinkhole is approximately 300 meters. 

In the past, local herders would lower their livestock inside the hole where they could graze on the vegetation growing from the detritus.

Ferdinand Gregorovius, a German scholar and traveler who wrote about his travels in Italy, described the sinkhole as "a strange well in the rocks of Santulla." The sinkhole was visited on countless occasions by foreign and Italian travelers during the age of the Grand Tour, but in recent years, the site has been mostly neglected. 

A local legend claims that the sinkhole was formed when local farmers, with utter disregard for the Virgin Mary during the Assumption celebration, harvested their corn. As punishment, their barn was swallowed for their sacrilege.

Related Tags

Legends Natural Wonders Nature History & Culture

Know Before You Go

The sinkhole is currently fenced and guarded. It's sometimes possible to find the sight open and to walk on a small trail around it.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

LatiumMirabile

Published

October 9, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Pozzo d'Antullo
SP246
Collepardo, 03010
Italy
41.770515, 13.36838
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Fasti Verolani

Veroli, Italy

miles away

Arco di Trevi

Guarcino, Italy

miles away

Giorgi's Furnace

Ferentino, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,054
Stories 110

Nearby Places

Fasti Verolani

Veroli, Italy

miles away

Arco di Trevi

Guarcino, Italy

miles away

Giorgi's Furnace

Ferentino, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,054
Stories 110

Related Places

  • The eerie vegetation at the bottom of the sinkhole.

    Province of Rieti, Italy

    Dolina del Revotano

    This enormous sinkhole hides a secret world created from divine wrath.

  • Hole-in-the-Wall

    Mgxotyeni, South Africa

    Hole-in-the-Wall

    A massive rock in the surf steeped in legends.

  • ‘Ajdovska Deklica’ (‘Heathen Maiden’)

    Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

    'Ajdovska Deklica' ('Heathen Maiden')

    An unmistakable facial pareidolia in the Julian Alps also includes a fantastic tale.

  • Jättegrytorna i Tararp

    Karlshamn N, Sweden

    Jättegrytorna i Tararp (The Tarap Giant Kettles)

    A geological wonder that helped fuel myths of trolls and giants.

  • Sopotnički Vodopadi

    Sopotnica, Serbia

    Sopotnički Vodopadi

    This natural monument has an origin story steeped in legend.

  • The Fairy Glen

    Rosemarkie, Scotland

    The Fairy Glen - Rosemarkie

    This lovely Scottish nature walk leads to the source of a local legend.

  • Giant’s Causeway Pillar Section

    Charleston, South Carolina

    Giant's Causeway Pillar

    A stack of stones steeped in Irish folklore, much like the hero they're connected to, hide in plain sight.

  • Grutas del Palacio

    Flores, Uruguay

    Grutas del Palacio

    This wonderful rock formation constitutes the first geopark in Uruguay.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.