La dolina Pozzatina

Pozzatina doline


Useful Information

Location: South of Sannicandro Garganico.
A14 (E55) Pescara-Foggia exit Lesina, SS693 east 14 km, exit SP49 Sannicandro Garganico. On SP49 7 km to Sannicandro Garganico, turn right on SP49 towards Apricena, turn left after 2 km onto SP48 to San Marco in Lamis. On the plateau, about 7 km from turnoff SP48. A short single lane gravel road offers limited parking space.
(41.783948, 15.562660)
Open: no restrictions.
[2022]
Fee: free.
[2022]
Classification: KarstTiankeng KarstDoline
Light: n/a
Dimension: L=650 m, W=380 m, VR=100 m.
Guided tours: n/a
Photography:  
Accessibility:  
Bibliography: Benedetta Castiglioni, Ugo Sauro (2000): Large collapse dolines in Puglia (southern Italy): the cases of "Dolina Pozzatina" in the Gargano plateau and of "puli" in the Murge. Acta Carsologica, XXIX/II, 1, pp. 83-93, Ljubljana 2000.
Address: Ente Parco Nazionale del Gargano (National Park of the Gargano), Via S. Antonio Abate, 121, 71037 - Monte Sant'Angelo (Fg), Tel: +39-0884-568929, E-mail: contact
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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Description

The Dolina Pozzatina (Pozzatina doline) is one of the largest dolines in Italy. The steep walls and the flat bottom are covered by soil, which has been transported inside by water. As a result it contains a rich flora and fauna. Depending on the direction and the amount of sun it gets, the bottom and the walls are coverd by shrubs of termofile evergreen species such as holm oaks, alaterno, lentisk. But there are also species which require more humid climates, such as Turkey oak, ash-tree, maple, and elm. Amongst the fauna are large mammals, like foxes and badgers, predatory birds like buzzards and kestrals, oriols, jays and many sparrows.

The doline has been formed by the collapse of a chamber of a karst cave and the continuous erosion caused by water flowing into the pit. Originally vertical walls became steep slopes, which are now covered by forest.

This doline is not signposted, and it is a little tricky to find it. So we try to describe it a little bit more detailed. The doline is located only a few dozen meters from the road SP48 Sannicandro Garganico to San Marco in Lamis. It is about 7 km from the turnoff near Sannicandro Garganico. The doline is close enough to be seen, or at least guessed from the road. There is a (pretty poor) gravel road turning off north of the doline, and after about 200 m a field of white limestones with karren on the left side is the place to stop. From here its only a short walk through shrubs to a nice lookout point.