Voragine di Ispinigoli


Useful Information

Location: Località Ispinigoli, 08022 Dorgali NU.
Near Cala Gonone, Nuoro, Sardegna. SS125 between Orosei and Dorgali, turn off at kilometre 32 towards Cala Cortone ond Cala Osalle.
(40.318639, 9.606456)
Open: DEC to FEB Mon-Fri 11, Sat, Sun 11, 12.
MAR daily 10-16.
APR to MAY daily 10-12, 15-17.
JUN daily 10-17.
JUL to AUG daily 10-18.
SEP to OCT daily 10-17.
NOV daily 11, 12.
Tours every hour on the hour.
[2022]
Fee: Adults EUR 8, Children EUR 4.
Groups: Adults EUR 4.
[2022]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: L=17,000 m, T=16-17 °C.
Guided tours: L=600 m, VR=80 m, D=60 min, St=280. V=40,000/a [2000] V=40,000/a [2008]
Photography: not allowed.
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:
Address: La Grotta di Ispinigoli, Località Ispinigoli, 08022 Dorgali (Nuoro), Tel: +39-348-478-0104.
Archaeological Museum of Dorgali, Via Lamarmora - Dorgali (Nu), Tel: +39-348-478-0104. E-mail:
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

end 19th century discovered by a shepherd in search for a lost lamb.
1954 first speleological exploration by the Gruppo Grotte di Nuoro.
1965 speleologist Eraldo Saracco falls into 40 m deep Abisso delle Vergini (abyss of the virgin) and dies.
1974 opened to the public.
1995 connection between the Sos Jocos and San Giovanni di Su Anzu caves discovered by cavers from Dorgali and Sassari.

Description

The most outstanding feature of Grotta Ispinigoli is the tallest stalagmite of the world, which is 38 meters high. No reviewer of showcaves.com has visited this cave so far personally. From various sources we know three facts about the cave:

  1. the cave has the tallest stalagmites of the world.
  2. the owners are pretty much concerned about visitors taking photographs.
  3. the cave development was made with great expertise, they even nailed three floodlights to the tallest stalagmite of the world.

Okay, this was not really serious, but the operators were not very cooperative and did not provide any info except the above. And the tallest stalagmite superlative is at least 50 years outdated. It's a bit better today, they even have a website now, but it's still not very helpful.

The cave is located in the middle of nowhere, and there is only a small wooden hut, which serves as the ticket office. But they have a defibrillator, for unknown reasons, probably a legal thing. The visit is a long descent into the main chamber on a really long staircase. Its quite spectacular offers great views of the chamber and the huge stalagmite, but requires a little physical fitness. Especially on the way back. The cave is operated by a local cooperative, which also offers guided walks in the area. Nearby in Dorgali village they also operate the Archaeological Museum of Dorgali, located in the elementary school. Not very promising from the exterior, it offers a great exhibition of local archaeology including remains discovered at the cave. The history starts long before the Romans with the neolithic Nuraghe culture.

The cave is today a cave system of almost 17 km length, originally there were three different caves which are now connected. They were called Ispinigoli, San Giovanni Su Anzu, and Sos Jocos, long before the connection was discovered. The whole system is thus named Ispinigoli – San Giovanni su Anzu – sos Jocos cave complex. The cave system runs in sothwest to northeast direction across the S’Ospile limestone mountains. The three entrances are located at different heights, so the cave has a dynamic weathering.

The cave system was explored since 1954 by the Gruppo Grotte di Nuoro and the famous Sardinian cavers Padre Furreddu and Bruno Piredda. The Piedmont speleologist Eraldo Saracco lost his life in 1965 when he fell into 40 m deep Abisso delle Vergini (abyss of the virgin). Today there is a plaque at the entrance to the cave branch dedicated to him. Fatal caving accidents are always quite spectacular, but fortunately rare.