As the landscape of Tuscany is so pastoral and lovely in its beauty – all rolling hills, picturesque historic villages, vineyards, oak woods, and golden light – it is easy to forget that great sections of the region are far more dramatic. For those interested in geology or striking views, you need only look a little closer and you'll quickly discover a whole other side of Tuscany that, though less celebrated, is no less stunning. Particularly, if you find a villa with pool in Lucca and head into the Apuan Alps, you will find craggy peaks, fascinating rock formations, and deep caves. Among these caves is the incredible Grotta del Vento, or the Windy Cave.
Named for the strong air currents that flow through the cave system from the entrance that tourists use at 627m to the other, impassable entrance 800m higher up at 1400m, the Grotta del Vento remains at a constant temperature of 10.7 °C and has been known to people in the area since at least the 17th century. Records from the time show that a sharp gust was noted emanating from a fissure in the rock. The cave was then subsequently used by locals in order to store food and keep it cool. Located in Fornovolasco, near Vergemoli, right in the middle of the Apuan Alps Nature Reserve and directly underneath the Pania Secca, this is a rather unique and extraordinary system of caves and grottoes that is noted as one of the most interesting in Europe and is home to some fascinating natural phenomena. With several tour routes to take through the cave, it is a wonderful, beautiful, educational adventure to undertake and a rather different perspective on Tuscany for those who have found a villa in Lucca and are spending time in the area...
Named for the strong air currents that flow through the cave system from the entrance that tourists use at 627m to the other, impassable entrance 800m higher up at 1400m, the Grotta del Vento remains at a constant temperature of 10.7 °C and has been known to people in the area since at least the 17th century. Records from the time show that a sharp gust was noted emanating from a fissure in the rock. The cave was then subsequently used by locals in order to store food and keep it cool. Located in Fornovolasco, near Vergemoli, right in the middle of the Apuan Alps Nature Reserve and directly underneath the Pania Secca, this is a rather unique and extraordinary system of caves and grottoes that is noted as one of the most interesting in Europe and is home to some fascinating natural phenomena. With several tour routes to take through the cave, it is a wonderful, beautiful, educational adventure to undertake and a rather different perspective on Tuscany for those who have found a villa in Lucca and are spending time in the area...
While the cave was being made use of by locals since the 17th century, it wasn't until the 20th century that it began to be properly explored and studied systematically. In fact, until the 19th century, there was no proper access to the cave, only a small opening through which the wind came out and around which the locals built a natural refrigerator to store their food. Despite this study and exploration, only 4km of the cave's depths are currently known and there are at least 30 tunnels that specialists have yet to venture into. In 1966, part of the cave system was opened to the public and great pains have been taken to ensure that they can be enjoyed and studied by visitors while maintaining and preserving the delicate microclimatic, meteorological, and biological balances of the space. Practices such as having lighting that switches on with sensors only when visitors are actually present in an area have led to the environment of the caves being particularly recognised for the quality of its preservation and to them having been awarded a four star rating by the French association of tourist caves (ANECAT).
Famously lovely among the cave systems of the world, the Grotta del Vento is a magical underground realm of syphons, galleries carved out by water, streams, lakes, stalagmites, stalactites, multi-coloured limestone formations, and more. There are three different trails that take you through this incredible subterranean world, all of which have convenient footpaths winding along and different viewing points to take in your amazing surroundings. The first of the trails takes just an hour and follows a flat limestone surface, making it the best for those who are less sure of their footing or want to take a shorter tour. The second route, meanwhile, follows the first as well as an underground stream and takes two hours total. Finally, the third route is the longest and takes three hours, covering the largest amount of the system and taking in some vertical sections. The longest cave trail in Italy, this is for those who are more interested in seeing the whole thing and who are willing to dedicate the time and effort required to do so. Obviously, if you are planning a trip to the Grotta del Vento you should choose the option best suited to the needs, interests, and time constraints of you and those in your party.
Famously lovely among the cave systems of the world, the Grotta del Vento is a magical underground realm of syphons, galleries carved out by water, streams, lakes, stalagmites, stalactites, multi-coloured limestone formations, and more. There are three different trails that take you through this incredible subterranean world, all of which have convenient footpaths winding along and different viewing points to take in your amazing surroundings. The first of the trails takes just an hour and follows a flat limestone surface, making it the best for those who are less sure of their footing or want to take a shorter tour. The second route, meanwhile, follows the first as well as an underground stream and takes two hours total. Finally, the third route is the longest and takes three hours, covering the largest amount of the system and taking in some vertical sections. The longest cave trail in Italy, this is for those who are more interested in seeing the whole thing and who are willing to dedicate the time and effort required to do so. Obviously, if you are planning a trip to the Grotta del Vento you should choose the option best suited to the needs, interests, and time constraints of you and those in your party.
As noted, the first trail is the flattest and takes in a series of exceptional chambers of different-coloured limestone stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and shields. To continue on to the second trail, you head up a steep flight of steps to the edge of the 50m deep Giant's Chasm and then down into the Chamber of Voices (where sound travels in strange and often somewhat scary ways) before heading to the Hall of Acheron with its three waterways coming together to form an underground river, and then through a gallery carpeted with small grey silt formations that look not unlike a fir wood. The third route covers all of the above and also an area with the most dramatic limestone formations, a 90m shaft, and a subterranean canyon. Each trail can only be followed on a guided tour and there is a daily schedule of different tours with guides that can speak English, German, and Italian. Bear in mind that as the temperature inside is constant, you'll need to be wrapped up even in the middle of the summer. Furthermore, as you're walking quite a distance and climbing stairs, it is recommended that you wear closed shoes with a grip, ideally hiking boots or good sneakers.
So, if you're interested in taking in the dramatic, weird, and wonderful views of Tuscany that can be viewed under her famous rolling hills then be sure to find your vacation rental in Lucca and come to explore the magical and otherworldly Grotta del Vento for yourself!
So, if you're interested in taking in the dramatic, weird, and wonderful views of Tuscany that can be viewed under her famous rolling hills then be sure to find your vacation rental in Lucca and come to explore the magical and otherworldly Grotta del Vento for yourself!
