Grotte Tufacee Comunali

Useful Information

Location:	Via Platano, Santarcangelo. (44.0644777, 12.4441573)
Open:	27-MAR to 26-OCT daily 10, 11:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30. 27-OCT to 26-MAR daily 10, 11:30, 15, 16, 17, no tours on Thu afternoon. [2025]
Fee:	Adults EUR 5, Children (0-14) free, Seniors (65+) EUR 4, Disabled free. Groups (20+): Adults EUR 4. [2025]
Classification:	Keller Eiskeller Kasematten
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	T=13 °C.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Grotte Tufacee Comunali, Ufficio Informazione ed Accoglienza Turistica – Pro Loco, Via Cesare Battisti 5, 47822 Santarcangelo, Tel: +39-0541-624270. E-mail: 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

Description

Below the town of Santarcangelo there is a system of caves, which where built for various purpuses, as granaries, ice cellars, or secret escape routes. Many cellars were important for the sieges, which happened now and then in the Middle Ages, after all they were the reason why the towns were fortified. The cellars were important to store enough food, but alos other material and weapons. They were also used to transport material and soldiers invisible from on part of the city to another. During peaceful times they were used as wine cellars and granaries. The five oldest caves seem to be much older, probably from Roman times, and their original use is unclear, though most people think they were places of worship.

Santarcangelo is said to have 150 wine cellars, located in the east part of the hill, called Colle Giove. Then there are 300 granaries all over the rest of the hill. In Via Ruggeri, there is an ice cellar which is now largely enclosed in a restaurant. Shaped like an egg, it was filled with snow during winter, which lasted well into the autumn. The cellar was used for the preservation of meat. Via Ruggeri actually had several such ice cellars.

As varied as the use of the cellar is the list of names. Sometimes they are called Grotte Tufacee Comunali (Municipal Tufa Caves) but they are also listed as Grotte di Santarcangelo and as Grotta di San Michele. We actually have no idea where this last name originates, except for the fact that the archangel Michael is worshipped by many people in the region and many caves were dedicated to him because of his connection to caves. Actually the name of the town is Sant’Arcangelo (Saint Archangel) which refers to Saint Michael. However, the tours are organized by the Pro Loco nonprofit organization, and the guides are very informed. The tours take about an hours and show some renovated cellars in Via Platano. As far as we know the meeting point is at the Ufficio informazioni, the tourist office in Via Cesare Battisti. The tours are in Italian, but with reservation its possible to get an English-speaking guide. There is an audio guide in English, French or German. You may download it on your smartphone, but bring bluetooth headphones