Grotta del Petrienno

Useful Information

Location:	63095, Acquasanta Terme AP. From Acquasanta Terme SP-207 towards Ascoli Bigeno, turn left on SP-119 to Tallacano. In Tallacano turn left on single lane gravel lane to Poggio Di Rocchetta. From the last uturn in the road a trail along the brook upstream leads to the cave, 800 m, signposted. (42.8117567, 13.3738629)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	Erosional Cave Cave House
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	L=15 m, W=60 m, H=10 m, A=730 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Associazione Turistica Pro Acquasanta Terme, P.za Terme, 63095 Acquasanta Terme AP, Tel: +39-333-905-3915.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

World War II

deserters/American soldiers hide in the cave.

Description

The Grotta del Petrienno is sometimes also called Grotta del Petrennio, but we guess this is a typo. It is located north of Acquasanta Terme in a valley of the Monte Ceresa (1494 m asl). The cave is a huge shelter with strange erosional forms, obviously the rock has inhomogeneous resistance against weathering, the softer parts were eroded while the harder form bulbous structures and patterns. The huge shelter was obviously used for various purposes, including the construction of a cave house or cave castle. However, it was abandoned and the building is now ruined.

The place obviously had numerous strategic advantages, it is quite huge, the cave protects it from the weather, the site is very remote and inaccessible, and there is even a small brook which froms a waterfall at one end of the cave. Definitely a good hideout and a safe place in dangerous times. The waterfall is small and at the side of the cave, nevertheless, the site is dubbed the Case Sotto la Cascata (House under the Waterfall). Actually, it is necessary to cross behind the waterfall to reach the cave. It is very calm most of the year, but on special events the site is used for concerts like the Violino in Grotta (Violin in the Cave).

The main use of the cave, from which the ruins originate is from the Middle Ages. The inhabitants of the villages Rocchetta and Poggio Rocchetta erected nine buildings with dry stone walls in the cave. They stayed here over summer with their animals. It seems the cave was used for this purpose until the middle or late 20th century.

The cave was used as a hideout during World War II, but there are actually two different stories. One says that the cave was used by deserters who fled the army. The other tells about American soldiers hiding from the Germans.

The tour is easy to find, the trail is signposted. Also, the route is available from numerous hiking portals. But it is also possible to go with a guided hike.