Castellana Caves

About

First discovered in the 18th century, it wasn’t until 1938 that Franco Anelli and Vito Matarrese dug their way into the White Cave that the system’s true beauty was uncovered, opening to the public shortly after. The 3 km-long system of caves dives 70 meters underground though a series of passageways and chambers, each with their own unique personality. Some of the most unique formations are the ‘eccentric stalactites’, which grow sideways, sometimes turning upward, creating spectacular shapes that seem to defy the laws of gravity. Among the rows of stalactites, glittering curtains of crystal, and underground lakes, are the caves’ native fauna, including bats, rare species of small crustaceans, and a special cave-dwelling grasshopper. Visitors have two tour options - the full tour covers nearly 3km in 2 hours, or the shorter, 1km version, which takes about 50 minutes. In either case, entrance is through an enormous, sixty-metre vertical tunnel known as the Abyss. Please be advised that visitors must be at the ticket office 30 minutes before the tour starts. You can learn more about the tour schedule at the following link: http://www.grottedicastellana.it/en/timetable/.