Caves to explore by boat on an underground river
At the foot of the Alburni mountains, the Grotte di Pertosa-Auletta are the only caves in Italy where you can sail on an underground river and among the few in Europe. The Negro river flows through them before emerging into the open, and the visit begins aboard a boat pulled along a cable through a dark, silent tunnel, until you land among the rock formations.
The cave system extends for about 3 kilometres, with halls full of stalactites, stalagmites and curtains of rock in shades of white, ochre and pink. The caves were inhabited in prehistoric times: archaeologists found the remains of a pile dwelling village of the Bronze Age, unique for a cave, and later the site was a place of worship dedicated to the archangel Michael. A small museum of speleology and archaeology, MIDA, tells the story of the caves. In summer, theatre performances and concerts are held inside, taking advantage of the acoustics.
Tip: the temperature inside is around 16 degrees all year, so bring a light jacket; several itineraries are available, including longer adventure tours.
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