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Natural Monuments

The Golden Butterfly Megalithic Site

Natural Monuments

The Golden Butterfly Megalithic Site

Highlight • Natural Monument

The Golden Butterfly Megalithic Site

Name: The Golden Butterfly Megalithic Site
Rating: 2

Recommended by 12 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Montemarcello - Magra

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Location: Lerici, La Spezia, Liguria, Italy

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Best Hikes to The Golden Butterfly Megalithic Site

3.6

(5)

hikers

1. Lerici, Monte Branzi and Monte Rocchetta – loop

14.5km

04:38

590m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

5.0

(2)

hikers

2. Ruins of Case H. Brown loop from Pugliola

6.56km

02:06

240m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

4.3

(3)

hikers

3. View of the Coast Near Lerici – Liguria Trail loop from Romito Magra

16.8km

05:27

710m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Hard

Tips

Mauro

March 9, 2021

Prehistoric megalithic complex discovered by Professor Enrico Calzolari in the 1990s.
The phenomenon of the golden butterfly occurs during the summer solstice when the warm light of the sunset, passing through a rock, projects the image of a butterfly onto the opposite monolith.
The site is easily accessible thanks to the many paths that cross Monte Caprione.
The site can also be reached by car by taking the road that leads from Lerici to Monti San Lorenzo; the car can be left in a parking lot in front of the B&B "Il Giardino delle farfalle" and from here walk a few hundred meters along the path until you come across the remains of the medieval church of San Lorenzo. Keeping left at the crossroads of paths another hundred meters, first level and then downhill, and you arrive at the prehistoric site on the right.

Translated by Google •

Hiking Fellows

June 17, 2018

The summer solstice is the perfect time to see the phenomenon called "The Golden Butterfly" (La Farfalla Dorata). The megalithic site located on Mount Caprione, between Lerici and Ameglia, thanks to which it is possible to observe the phenomenon, has existed for several centuries. In the period around the summer solstice (at sunset around 8:00 PM) yellow sunlight enters through the opening in the megalithic structure and projects the image of a "golden butterfly" onto the rock. According to an ancient legend, here you can experience emotions, sensations, energies, or simply suggestions created by the particularity of the place.

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Details

Informations

Elevation 280 m

Weather

Wednesday 19 November

13°C

11°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 4.0 km/h

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Location: Lerici, La Spezia, Liguria, Italy

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The Golden Butterfly Megalithic Site

1. Lerici, Monte Branzi and Monte Rocchetta – loop

2. Ruins of Case H. Brown loop from Pugliola

3. View of the Coast Near Lerici – Liguria Trail loop from Romito Magra

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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