Grotto Del Vento is located in one of the wildest and rugged areas of the Apuan Alps Natural Park of Italy. It was called “The Wind Cave. The name (Wind Cave) derives from the violent air current which runs through the cave, due to the presence of two openings which are situated at different levels. The lower opening (Tourist Entrance) is situated at 627m. above sea level, whilst the higher opening (which is inaccessible) is 800m. further up at over 1400m. above sea level. The internal temperature constantly maintains itself at 10,7 degrees centigrade. We have therefore, an air current which in summer, being cooler than the external air, is heavier, therefore creating an "outgoing" wind at the lower entrance (incoming at the higher entrance). The situation in winter is reversed: the outside temperature is nearly always lower; the inside air, warmer and therefore lighter, rises creating an incoming wind at the lower entrance (outgoing at the higher entrance). The speed of the wind is directly proportional to the difference between the internal and external temperatures. During tours the armoured door blocks the air current almost completely. It's an intricate networks of galleries, caverns, pools and minerals which make up the underground complex of the Wind Cave The origins of the cave About 200 million years ago, enormous quantities of shells, coral formations, fish skeletons, sand, slime and calcium carbonate, chemically precipitated through water evaporation, began to settle at the bottom of a sea which could correspond to the actual Tyrrhenian sea. This detritus, though varying in quantity and composition, kept accumulating, layer upon layer, for at least 170 million years, forming a mass thousands of metres thick. The great weight of such an accumulation, brought about the compression and the cementation of the various elements, slowly transforming them into limestone rock. About 20 million years ago, strong thrusts (orogenic movements), linked to the movement of the earth's crust, caused the upheaval of this rocky body, the great pressure fracturing it enormously, causing it to emerge from the sea and to slowly form the mountains we see today. Rainwater, falling on the cracked mountain surface was immediately absorbed by the subsoil, where various rivulets united, thus forming the subterranean streams, torrents and rivers which over millions of years progressively amplified the crevices, creating those intricate networks of galleries, caverns, pools and minerals which make up the underground complex of the Wind Cave.  Open the photo gallery
Placed to the center of the natural park of the Alps Apuane (Apuan Alps) is between the grottos more complete of Europe, by presenting extraordinary one variety of phenomena that are illustrated with precision and competence by spelaeological expert guides. Comfortable paths allow to admire some reflectors the light all the wonders of the subterranean world: Give her stalactites and stalagmites he lives and shining, to polychrome castings, to the drapes of alabaster, to the laghetti encrusting made of crystals, to the water courses underground. 
Outside of these months the caves are only open on Sundays for the one hour tour. Regardless of when you are visiting try and get there early to avoid the crowds. Three the routes: The "first" (an hour) has a flat trend and he is almost upholstered everywhere by calcareous splendid concretions; The "second" (two hours,) also including the first, offers the glamour of wide environments covered from an underground small river; The "third" (three hours,) allows the complete visit of the grotto and he covers a few perfectly vertical strokes in convenience all. Who visits the grotto does not therefore limit his excursion to the world underground, but in general the opportunity to extend it to other concerning surface attractions gathers which the architectural splendid complex of the hermitage of Calomini, hunkered to the base of big one rocky wall; Trombacco throats partly been responsible by waters for a very green lake. The Altopiano Carsico of the Vetricia, from the thousand crevasses and the strange erosion forms; the immense views of the massif of the "Panie"; the Cyclopean arc natural that connects the twin tops of the "Monte Forato" Grotta del Vento - Wind Cave - 
Useful Informations Location: North of Pisa in the Apuan Alps' Natural Park. From the South: Leave A11 at Lucca, take S.S.N.12 Abetone/Brennero to Ponte a Moriano (8,5 km). cross River Serchio and follow main road to Gallicano (36 km). From the North: Leave A15 at Aulla, take S.S.N.63 Passo del Cerreto for 12 km, then turn right for Casola in Lunigiana (19 km), uphill Passo dei Carpinelli towards Piazza al Serchio (42 km), Castelnuovo Garfagnana to Gallicano. From Gallicano pass the rocky gorge of Lake Trombacco to Fornovolasco (44 kms.). Cross three valleys to the cave. (2°05'40" W, 44°02'01" N) 
Open: APR-SEP daily, OCT-MAR Sun Hol Tour 1: 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Tour 2: 11, 15, 16, 17 Tour 3: 10, 14 Fee: About 10 euro. (open the official website) www.grottadelvento.com Classification: Karst cave, Jurassic limestone, cave system. Light: electric. Dimension: L=4000m, A=627m asl. T=10,7°C. Guided tours: Tour 1: D=60min Tour 2: D=120min Tour 3: D=180min Address: Grotta del Vento, Località Grotta del Vento, I-55020 Fornovolasco, Vergemoli (Lucca), Tel: 39-0583-722024, Fax: 39-0583-722053, E-mail: info@grottadelvento.com |
