Frasassi Caves

Overview

The Frasassi Caves (Italian: Grotte di Frasassi) are a karst cave system in the municipality of Genga, Italy, in the province of Ancona, Marche. They are among the most famous show caves in Italy.

The Frasassi cave system includes a number of named chambers, including the following:

  • Grotta delle Nottole, or "Cave of the Bats", named for the large colony of bats that lives within.
  • Grotta Grande del Vento, or "Great Cave of the Wind", discovered in 1971, with approximately 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) of passageways.
  • Abisso Ancona, or "Ancona Abyss", a huge space around 180 x 120 meters wide and near 200m tall.
  • Sala delle Candeline, or "Room of the Candles", named for its plentiful stalagmites that resemble candles.
  • Sala dell'Infinito, or "Room of the Infinite", a tall chamber with massive speleothem columns supporting the roof.

Details

Location" Location: Localita' Gola di Frasassi, 60040 Genga AN, Italy Italy
Visitor Visit Type: Vistor Centre
Co-ordinates" Co-ordinates: 43.400460, 12.961490
Telephone" Telephone: +39 0732 90090
Email" Email: grotte@frasassi.com
Web" Web: https://www.frasassi.com/Home.aspx?L=EN external_link_dark

Map

History

The caves, discovered by a group of Ancona speleologists in 1971, are situated 7 kilometres (4 miles) south of Genga, near the civil parish of San Vittore and the Genga-San Vittore railway station (Rome-Ancona line).

Rich in water, the cave system is particularly well endowed with stalactites and stalagmites.

Near the entrance to the caves are two sanctuary-chapels: one is the 1029 Santuario di Santa Maria infra Saxa (Sanctuary of Holy Mary under the Rock) and the second is an 1828 Neoclassical architecture formal temple, known as Tempietto del Valadier.

Nearby Locations

LocationDistanceDirection
Temple of Valadier Italy2.58 milesNNW
Sentinum Italy bullet_black5.64 milesWNW
Loretello Castle Italy11.70 milesN
Rocca di Mondavio Italy bullet_black19.05 milesN
Furlo Pass Italy bullet_black20.62 milesNW
Ponte della Concordia, Fossombrone Italy21.41 milesNNW
Castello della Rancia Italy23.03 milesESE
Rocca di Urbisaglia Italy25.19 milesSE
Castle Brancaleoni of Piobbico Italy26.01 milesWNW
Grotte del Cantinone Italy26.82 milesENE
Ducal Palace, Urbino Italy27.66 milesNW
Urbino Italy bullet_black27.83 milesNW
Church of San Francesco Italy30.72 milesN
Arch of Trajan Italy31.42 milesENE
Fortress Castle of Costance of the Sforzas Italy35.18 milesN
Castello di Gradara Italy38.54 milesNNW
Castello di Montecopiolo Italy42.50 milesNW
Rocca Tiepolo Italy44.41 milesESE
Monastery of St. Clare San Marino44.60 milesNW
Cesta Tower San Marino bullet_black44.73 milesNW
Information correct as of 12/07/2020