Fra' Lupo Rock

On the path that leads from the La Verna monastery to Monte Penna, there is a huge boulder that towers over the abyss. It is the Sasso di Frate Lupo, marked by a sign attached to the boulder.
The rock is so called because Saint Francis met the wild robber Lupo here and converted him to the Christian faith. From that moment on, the robber's name was Fra' Lupo, according to Brother Agnello. The boulder itself is nothing special. However, the story of Lupo's transformation makes it a place of particular historical and religious interest.

Towards the top of Monte Penna leaning towards the precipice near which you are walking, you notice a large rock, indicated by a plaque, which seems to stand miraculously on the edge of the precipice.
It is called "Fra' Lupo's Rock", since it is said that at the time of Francis of Assisi a terrible man called Brigante Lupo lived in the Verna forest and it seems that on that rock he kept his prisoners, forced not to move so as not to falling into the void and being unable to free oneself as the boulder is detached from the mountain ridge.
According to the Franciscan Sources, one day Saint Francis met the ferocious bandit right near this large boulder and converted him with words of peace and love.
From that moment he was called Fra' Lupo, according to other sources Frate Agnello.(Source: iluoghidelsilenzio.it/eremo-della-verna-chiusi-della-verna-ar )

The combination of nature and sanctuary beyond religious belief gives an uncommon spiritual and emotional charge.. just a perfect place to reflect and meditate with a slow trek.