Small lakes and concretions in the Sulcis
In the green valley of Fluminimaggiore, in the Iglesiente region of south western Sardinia, the Grotta di Su Mannau is one of the largest and most beautiful karst caves on the island, with about 8 kilometres of explored galleries, formed by the waters of an underground river in the Cambrian limestone, among the oldest rocks in Europe, over 500 million years old.
The tourist route, about one kilometre long, starts from the Sala Archeologica, where in the nuragic period there was a sanctuary of the water cult: here hundreds of oil lamps and votive objects have been found, left by people who came to honour a deity of the waters. The path then winds through a sequence of halls and passages decorated with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, "draperies" and crystalline formations of white and pink aragonite, crossing small underground lakes of crystal-clear water on walkways. Among the most spectacular rooms are the Pozzo Rodriguez and the Sala del Gigante. More adventurous speleological itineraries, with a guide and equipment, explore the deeper parts of the cave. Not far away, the Roman-Punic Temple of Antas, dedicated to the Sardus Pater, the father god of the Sards, stands in a peaceful valley.
Tip: the temperature inside is about 16 degrees all year; combine the visit with the Temple of Antas, a few kilometres away.
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