Carved deep into the rocky mountainside, this unique house in the Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park in Italy is almost completely isolated from the outside world.
Stunning photographs reveal a refuge built during World War I, nestled within a sheer rock face on the Monte Cristallo massif in Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park, Italy.
Located in a remote area of the Dolomite mountain range, this house is almost camouflaged within the rugged brown terrain, often dubbed the “loneliest house in the world.” With a front door opening to an altitude of nearly 2,800 meters, the house certainly doesn’t evoke a sense of safety for many.
Buffa Di Perrero is perched on the mountain’s edge in a spot that is nearly inaccessible. Yet, this unusual location has attracted climbers and adventurous explorers for many years. The house is over 100 years old and exudes an atmosphere that is both mysterious and unsettling.
A refuge not for the faint-hearted.
This house is located at an elevation of nearly 2,800 meters above sea level and can only be accessed by climbing over challenging rock formations.
A refuge not for the faint-hearted. Hikers and climbers along the Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona will encounter this shelter along the route. At first glance, it seems that stepping out of the shelter’s doorway would send one plunging straight into the valley below. Embedded in the rock, the structure features surrounding walls, a sloping roof, two entrances, and four wooden-framed windows.
Buffa Di Perrero is a peculiar isolated house situated within the rock face of the Dolomite range. Its impractical location may be its most captivating aspect. A century ago, reaching this high, remote mountain location was only possible using ropes and temporary cable cars to transport building materials.
Italian soldiers during World War I constructed this refuge. They utilized ropes and cables to access this difficult spot, seeking temporary shelter from fierce battles.
Here are stairs, cables, and steel ladders built into the rock, assisting climbers.
Today, adventure seekers who enjoy climbing or hiking along the Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona will encounter this magnificent refuge. It features stairs, cables, and steel ladders built into the rock, ensuring climbers can navigate the harsh terrain safely.
The Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona begins in Cortina d’Ampezzo, a ski resort and town on the Boite River. Conquering this path requires participants to have excellent physical conditioning and a bit of courage.
A reviewer on TripAdvisor who trekked along the Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona noted: “It takes about six to eight hours to conquer the trail, allowing you to enjoy some breathtaking views and historical remnants, including houses built into the rock wall.”
Another refuge built on the mountain in the Dolomites, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
In recent years, the melting of glaciers and ice in the Dolomites, the nearby Ortles-Cevedale Alps, and the Adamello-Presanella Alps has revealed remnants from the past. Earlier this year, on Mount Scorluzzo in Lombardy, the thaw unveiled clothing, postcards, and canned goods left by soldiers from times gone by.
This house is named after the Alpini soldier, Colonel Carlo Buffa di Perrero, a war hero passionate about the mountains. He died on the front lines due to an enemy grenade. The roof of the Perrero house was completely destroyed by snowstorms, rendering the house unusable even for climbers. However, recently, efforts have been made to renovate this house in memory and honor of Buffa Di Perrero.
Explorers are warned that this path is not for everyone; participants must possess “excellent physical condition” to navigate it. According to experienced hikers, some trails in the Dolomites can take about a week to traverse. Once the treacherous path is conquered, tourists can witness this unique house firsthand.
To date, tours have been opened at this house. Buffa di Perrero can only be accessed by ropes and makeshift cable cars. Additionally, tourists can reach it via a treacherous mountain trail that only the brave dare to ascend.
The Italian Alpine Club (CAI) – a group that oversees hiking trails in the area has drawn inspiration from this unique house to create a similar structure. They have built a modern refuge for tourists to visit and explore.
This new modern hiking paradise has been constructed for visitors near the Forcella Marmarole and can accommodate up to 12 people. Explorers can find support facilities before embarking on the exhausting 5-hour hike to the beautiful refuge.
In summary, Buffa di Perrero is an impressive and unique structure. It exemplifies human creativity and extraordinary capability.
