Spitzknotto

Spitzknotto is a rock outcrop on the edge of Stoccareddo, a small hamlet within the municipality of Gallio on the Asiago plateau (Altopiano di Asiago). Locally the site is also known as Spizegonoto, and it is considered one of three mysterious "altars" scattered across the plateau.

What is this place?

At the top of the outcrop, the rock splits into flat, stratified layers that form a surface resembling a natural table or altar. According to local researchers, including historian Giancarlo Bortoli, this shape is what led ancient communities living on the plateau to use Spitzknotto for ritual purposes, possibly connected to the worship of a deity with Germanic traits associated with the goddess Freia. This tradition is sometimes linked to the Cimbri, a population that settled the surrounding villages for centuries.

Bortoli labeled Spitzknotto the "Third Altar" of the plateau. Together with Altarknotto (above Rotzo, to the west) and Hanepos — also known as the "devil's anvil," located in Marcesina to the north — it forms what locals call a magic triangle of three rock cult sites spread across the Altopiano di Asiago. Spitzknotto occupies the eastern point of this triangle.

Legends and local memory

For generations of children in Stoccareddo, Spitzknotto has been a place that stirred both fear and fascination. Local stories told of gnomes and other mysterious creatures hiding within the crevices of the rock, giving the site its occasional nickname, the "citadel of gnomes." For decades the place fell into relative obscurity, until local history enthusiasts, Bortoli among them, rediscovered and documented its significance for the surrounding community.

How to get there?

Spitzknotto sits right next to Stoccareddo, one of the frazioni of the municipality of Gallio, in the heart of the Sette Comuni plateau in the province of Vicenza. The surrounding landscape is typical of the Altopiano — gentle hills, conifer forests and rocky outcrops, well known to hikers, cross-country skiers in winter, and mountain bikers in summer. The site's approximate coordinates are 45.877, 11.617.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

A visit to Spitzknotto pairs well with a walk through Stoccareddo itself, and — for those interested in the theme of rock altars — with a trip to nearby Altarknotto above Rotzo. The whole Altopiano di Asiago area is known for its history tied to Cimbri settlement as well as numerous First World War remains, making it an interesting destination for visitors combining nature and history.

When to visit?

The best period to visit runs from late spring to early autumn, when the plateau's trails are dry and easily accessible. In winter the area turns into cross-country skiing terrain, but reaching the rock directly can be more difficult due to snow cover.

Frequently asked questions

What is Spitzknotto? It is a rock formation in Stoccareddo di Gallio, considered a former natural altar likely used for ritual purposes by communities that once inhabited the Asiago plateau.

Where does the name "Third Altar" come from? The label was coined by historian Giancarlo Bortoli, who grouped Spitzknotto with two other rock altars on the plateau, Altarknotto and Hanepos, together forming a so-called magic triangle.

Are there any legends tied to Spitzknotto? Yes — local stories told children in Stoccareddo about gnomes hiding in the rock's crevices, which is how the site earned the nickname "citadel of gnomes."

How should I plan a visit? Combine a short walk to Spitzknotto with a visit to Stoccareddo and the surrounding trails of the Sette Comuni plateau, ideally between May and October.