Grotta di Montevicoli

Useful Information

Location:	2 km from Ceglie Messapica along SP25
Open:	Summer Mon-Sat 16-20, Sun, Hol, 10-12, 16-20. Winter Sun 16-20. [2012]
Fee:
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	L=50 m, T=20 °C.
Guided tours:	V=28.000/a
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Grotta di Montevicoli, Tel: +39-333-5719683. 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

1956	discovered.
1996	closed to the public.
2005	reopened.

Description

Although the Grotta di Montevicoli is only 50 m long, it is famous for abundant and extraordinary speleothems. It is also known for paleolithic remains.

Human bones were found in the nearby caves Grotta dell'Abate Nicola (Cave of Abbot Nicolas) and the Grotta di San Pietro (Cave of St. Peter). They were dated 30,000 years old from the Middle Paleolithic Era. The Grotta dell'Abate Nicola is entered through a 30 m long dromos, an artificial tunnel which is typical for stone age burial sites. Grotta S. Michele (Cave of St. Michael) contains famous frescoes and