Sea Caves of the Gargano

Useful Information

Location:	Vieste Harbouzr, Il Gargano.
Open:	n/a
Fee:	n/a
Classification:	Karst cave.
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Bibliography:
Address:	Ente Parco Nazionale del Gargano (National Park of the Gargano), Via S. Antonio Abate, 121, 71037 - Monte Sant'Angelo (Fg), Tel: +390-884-568929, E-mail:
Last update:	$Date: 2008/07/01 20:25:29 $

History


1954		Francesco Sante and Michele Trimigno, two fishermen, discovered the Grotte dei Contrabbandieri.
1991		the National Park of the Gargano was founded.

Description

Numerous caves are known on the Gragano peninsula, 128 caves are known along the coast. As the caves were formed during the Ice Age, when the sea level was much deeper, many of them now lie below sea level, including under water speleothems. The erosion of the Gargano coast cut through many cave systems, which are now sea caves. Karst caves are now under the influence of the sea, the energy of the waves works on the caves and forms them.

The caves between Vieste and Mattinata can be visited by a boat trip. Some of those caves are:

Grotta dei Contrabbandieri: smugglers' cave, as legends tells it was the hideout for smuglers.
Grotta Campana piccola
Grotta Calda
Grotta Sfondata
Grotta dei due occhi: the two eyed cave has two entrances.
Grotta dei pomodori: the cave of the tomatoes was named because of red molluscs living on the walls.
Grotta dei marmi
Grotta delle Sirene
Grotta delle due stanze
Grotta dei sogni: cave of dreams.
Grotta Tavolozza
Grotta Campana: 47 m high and round like a bell. It is also called Pantheon of the Gargano.
Grande grotta del serpente
Grotta Smeralda
Grotta Rotonda
Grotta delle finestre

52 caves of the Gargano caves show signs, that they were inhabited by prehistoric man. Some were used as a burial place. Until today the caves are used to protect the animals at night, to store food, and as a site for worship.

Sea Caves of the Gargano

Useful Information

History

Description

See also