The most bizarre monument dedicated to the Supreme Poet is undoubtedly “I’ vero Sasso di Dante” (the real stone of Dante). The intention of the stone found in Piazza delle Pallottole is to pay homage to the author of The Divine Comedy not so much for his writing ability, but rather his irony.
The rock leaning on the façade of a building adjacent to the Cathedral was Dante’s favorite location to reflect, replenish, and admire the construction in progress of the church.
The legend tells that when a friend walked by, he asked Dante what his favorite food was, and he answered “Eggs”. After exactly an year, the same scene occurred with the two men in the same place. Thinking he would catch him by surprise, the friend asked him “With what?” and the Supreme Poet, who despite so long had gone by remembered the question, simply answered: “With salt!”.
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