The White Cave, one of the most beautiful in the world
Beneath the karst plateau of the Murgia, at Castellana Grotte between Bari and the Itria Valley, lies one of the most spectacular cave systems in Italy, discovered on 23 January 1938 by the speleologist Franco Anelli, who descended with ropes into the great natural opening known locally as the "Grave", a chasm feared by the inhabitants and used as a dump.
The Grave itself is the first, immense chamber, about 60 metres deep, lit by sunlight coming through the hole in the roof. From here a route of about 3 kilometres winds underground at a depth of about 70 metres through galleries and halls decorated with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, rock curtains and alabaster formations of every shape and colour, such as the Cavern of the Monsters, the Little Owl, the Madonnina and the Desert Corridor, and ends at the Grotta Bianca, the White Cave, considered one of the most beautiful caves in the world: a room covered with brilliant white crystalline concretions of calcite that sparkle like snow. The constant temperature is about 16 to 18 degrees.
Tip: choose the full route (about two hours) to reach the White Cave; the short route stops much earlier. Near the entrance, the Speleological Museum tells the story of the discovery.
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