Editing Summanus (section)

==Summanus and Mount Summano==

Mount Summano (elevation 1291&nbsp;m), located in the Alps near [[Vicenza]] (Veneto, Italy), is traditionally considered a site of the cults of Pluto, Jupiter Summanus, and the [[Manes]].

The area was one of the last strongholds of ancient Roman religion in Italy, as shown by the fact that Vicenza had no [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Vicenza|bishop]] until 590&nbsp;CE.<ref name=Puttin-1977/>

Archeological excavations have found a sanctuary space that dates to the first Iron Age (9th&nbsp;century&nbsp;BCE) and was continuously active until late antiquity (at least the 4th&nbsp;century&nbsp;CE). The local flora is very peculiar, because it was customary in ancient times for pilgrims to bring offerings of flowers from their own native lands.<ref name=Puttin-1977/>

The mountaintop is frequently struck by lightning. The mountain itself has a deep grotto named Bocca Lorenza, in which, according to local legend, a young shepherdess became lost and disappeared. The story might be an adaptation of the myth of Proserpina, who was abducted by Pluto.<ref name=Puttin-1977>{{cite book |first=Lucio |last=Puttin |title=Monte Summano: Storia, arte, e tradizioni |publisher=Schio |year=1977}}</ref>