Pictured: Incredible Alpine refuge from World War I embedded in the sheer rockface of a mountain in Italy’s Dolomites

Nestled within the majestic Ampezzo Dolomites in Italy lies an extraordinary testament to human resilience and architectural ingenuity – a house built directly into a vertical rock face. This remarkable structure, known as Buffa di Perrero, or “the loneliest house in the world,” stands as a silent witness to history, perched nearly 3,000 meters above sea level in the Monte Cristallo range. Its story and the breathtaking views it commands have captivated the adventurous spirits of tourists and mountaineers from around the globe.

Constructed during the tumultuous years of World War I, Buffa di Perrero was initially conceived as a shelter for Italian soldiers battling the Austro-Hungarian army. The Dolomites, with their rugged terrain and harsh conditions, were a formidable battleground, and this house provided a much-needed refuge for those fighting in the high altitudes. Its strategic location and the camouflage provided by the mountain itself made it an ideal spot for rest and recuperation away from enemy eyes.

The house’s design is a marvel of wartime engineering. Carved deep into the mountain’s rock face, it offers minimal yet fascinating features – two entrances, four windows, and just enough space on its threshold for a few chairs, allowing visitors to soak in the sublime beauty of the surrounding landscape. Despite its precarious position, the house feels surprisingly secure, nestled as it is into the mountain’s embrace.

Accessing Buffa di Perrero is no easy feat. The only way to reach this secluded refuge is by a makeshift rope and cable car system, following a path that is as treacherous as it is thrilling. The route, part of the Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona, is a high-altitude challenge that weaves through the Zurlon mountain ridge, culminating at the main peak of Cristallo. This journey is not for the faint-hearted; it demands physical strength, mountaineering experience, and a spirit of adventure.

Despite the sparse accommodations within – a narrow wooden-clad room and a handful of chairs outside – the house’s allure lies beyond its physical confines. Visitors are drawn to Buffa di Perrero not just for the structure itself but for the unparalleled views it offers and the sense of stepping into a piece of history. The panoramic vistas from this vantage point are unparalleled, stretching across the Dolomites’ rugged landscapes and offering a serene, awe-inspiring experience.

The journey to Buffa di Perrero, traversing the Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona and crossing the Forcella Staunies bridge, is an adventure that rewards the daring with sights and sensations that few places on earth can match. It encapsulates the essence of exploration – the drive to seek out the world’s hidden wonders, no matter how inaccessible they may seem.

Today, Buffa di Perrero stands abandoned, a relic of a bygone era, yet it continues to beckon adventurers and history enthusiasts alike. Its story is a reminder of the lengths to which humanity will go to carve out spaces of refuge and beauty, even in the most inhospitable of environments. Discovering the incredible house built into a vertical rock face in the Ampezzo Dolomites is a journey into the heart of nature’s grandeur and human tenacity.