Â鶹APP

Grotte di Frasassi. Picture By Superchilum.

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Grotte di Frasassi

Deep in the hill country near the remote village of Genga, the Grotte di Frasassi is one of Europe’s largest cave systems.

This karst wonderland, gouged out by the river Sentino and discovered by a team of climbers in September 1971, can be explored on a 75-minute guided tour which takes in features such as the Ancona Abyss, a cavernous 200m-high, 180m-long chamber, and the so-called Gran Canyon full of parallel stalactites resembling pipe organs and waxy stalagmites that rise up like melted candles.

1. Grotte is a prehistoric site

The Frasassi caverns are a prehistoric site. Weapons, artifacts, and bones excavated from cave soil are displayed at Ancona’s national museum.

Today, tourists may see the occupants of the cave soaring above their heads: a significant number of bats, particularly in the Grotta del Nottola, or bat cave.

Aside from bats, which have evolved well to live in total darkness and leave their hiding spot at night to seek food, the cave system is home to a variety of other animal species, including cave lizards and cave millipedes.

2. Persistent erosion broke hard limestone layers and formed the cave

Grotte di Frasassi erosion breaks. Picture by Superchilum.

Sentino, a tributary of the river Esino, fractured thick limestone layers in the middle Apennines, pressing at the bottom of its basin and opening the door to the cave.

With them on the slope’s stones, black entrances to other caverns opened. Near the entrance to the old cave, Frasassi is a chapel of Santa Maria del Frasassi, buildings from the 11th century.

In the entrance hall is a hexagonal neoclassical temple built between 1823 and 1828 by the command of Pope Leo XII. In ancient times, the cave was most likely a cave shrine.

Limey Highlands is a typical karst topography, with subsurface water flows creating caverns.

3. The Frasassi Caves have been used to conduct experiments in chronobiology

Chronobiology is a field of science that examines periodic phenomena in living organisms and their adaption to solar and lunar-related rhythms. The conditions in the caves at Frasassi, and how one can be cut off from the rays of the sun and the moon, make this the perfect environment for such experiments.

4. The temperature inside is around 14 degrees centigrade all year round

Inside Grotte di Frasassi. Picture courtesy of Federica Cidale. Wikimedia

As the caves are naturally hidden from the outside fluctuations in weather, the temperature inside the Frasassi Caves stays at around 14 degrees centigrade all year round.

Whilst this may be a little chilly for some. It is actually something of a surprise when you consider this is not much less than the temperature of an average summer in Scotland.

So basically, I’d be better off in an Italian cave over winter than staying in my hometown when it comes to temperature. It’s as good an excuse as any for me to go traveling!

5. The caves were only actually discovered in 1971 by a group of speleologists from Ancona

One of the things that surprised me most about the Frasassi Caves was that they were only actually discovered in 1971.

In part, this may be why they are so well preserved and have become the spectacle they are now which has been responsibly converted into a show cave.

It is mind-blowing to think these huge natural sculptures lay in darkness and completely untouched for so many hundreds of years.

6. The cave has been given curious nicknames by speleologists

These masterpieces of nature have been given curious nicknames by speleologists, due to their particular shape: the Giants, the Camel, Madonnina, the Witches Castle, and many more.

Moreover, the impressive caves along the path are enhanced with various light effects en route…for a dreamlike experience! If you like adventures and you are interested in exploring the caves and a deeper and far more remembering way, do not miss the two speleo-adventure trails: the blue path and the red path, appropriate for people over 12 years of age.

7. Array of stalactites and stalagmites spread along 

An array of stalactites inside the cave. Picture By Andrea0007.

An impressive array of stalactites and stalagmites spread along 1500 meters of accessible caverns. They are so big that they could contain the whole Duomo di Milano inside.

Since 1974 this wonderful natural show has been open to visitors, and today you can easily book a guided tour and admire the enchanting natural limestone sculptures created by the combined effect of water and rock in over 190 million years: chambers, water pools, stalactites, and stalagmites.

8. The cave is the greatest cavern in Italy

Le Grotte di Frasassi (their Italian name) is Italy’s greatest cavern and among the largest in Europe. They are located in the municipality of Genga, 50 km southwest of Ancona.

So, no matter where exactly in Le Marche you are staying, the caves, are located in the central part of the region and are easily accessible from all directions. 

Do you know that the Frasassi Caves have a quite recent history? Yes, this immense karst cave system was only discovered in 1971…We can hardly imagine the excitement of the explorers by discovering such an immense underground treasure!

9. The cave is installed with devices to interpret Italian

The guided tour on the tourist trail lasts about one hour and 15 minutes and listening devices are provided in other languages for those who don’t understand Italian. The tourist trail is mainly on a walkway with some stairs and is well-lit. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and a sweatshirt or jacket as the temperature is 14 degrees centigrade (about 57 Fahrenheit) all year.

10. The cave is a tourist attraction site

Tourists in Grotte di Frasassi. Picture courtesy of Martin Krüger.

The Frasassi Caves are open for guided visits which are held regularly throughout the day. With an expert guide at the helm, visitors are taken deep into the earth’s bosom through several subterranean chambers of the Big Cave of the Wind. This was discovered by chance in 1971 and its first chamber – the Ancona Abyss – is so cavernous that, they say, the Duomo of Milan could fit comfortably in it.

Visiting the Frasassi Caves is a great experience. The tourist itinerary follows an easy-to-navigate path that is about a kilometer and a half long and has a few steps. There are also two options for the adventurous at heart to explore the caves even deeper led by a skilled spelunking guide. In addition, the area around the Frasassi Caves is rich in curious sights and things to do.

So, if you are looking for a new and exciting destination in Italy to discover and explore for yourself, a place where you can marvel at natural wonders both under and overground, look no further than the Frasassi Caves.

Opening hours: from March to October every day from 10:00 to 18:00, the last visit is possible at 17:00. From November to February: Monday-Friday at 11:30 and 15:30, on Saturday at 11:30, 14:30, and 16:30, on Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 18:00. You need to make a reservation. Phone number (+39) 0732 90090. Admission: the price of the full ticket is 14 euros, with a discount (pensioners over 65, students) – 15 euros, children (6-14) – 12 euros. For children under 6 – admission is free.