Grotta Zinzulusa / The Zinzulusa Cave (Castro, Apulia, South Italy)
N 40° 00.712 E 018° 25.831
34T E 280694 N 4432237
Grotta Zinzulusa (Zinzulusa Cave), one of the most important examples of the karst phenomenon on the South-Italian coast, is located between Castro and Santa Cesarea Terme in Southern part of Solento peninslula...
Waymark Code: WM8BGY
Location: Puglia, Italy
Date Posted: 03/07/2010
Views: 9
A dramatic opening on a limestone cliff, towering above the crystal clear waters of the Ionian sea, leads to the Grotta Zinzulusa - one of the largest karst phenomena of Salento peninsula. The cave entrance is located just north-east of the small town of Castro.
The numerous stalactites and stalagmites found inside this cave reminded the local population of what they referred to as "zinzuli" - old, threadbare clothes, hence its name. Beyond the entrance lies karstic tunnel long more than 100 m, gradually narrowing until it reaches the Duomo, the final hall of the above ground stretch open to tourist. In fact, from this point on a drop in the level leads to the underwater part of the cave, the Cocito. Unique living fossils (hypegeum sponges Higghinsia ciccaresi) were found here, as well as large stalagmites on the ground to witness a long period of emersion of these environments.
Although the cave was discovered in 1793, it was only opened to the public in 1957. On average, it is visited by more than 100 000 visitors a year.