GROTTA GIGANTE

One of the natural gems of the Trieste region. A subterranean life of concretions and millennia-old sculptures marvelously illuminated. Under scenic lighting, these gigantic caves are transformed into a fantastic world à la Jules Verne. Beware of temperature differences! Make sure you wrap up warm, because although you'll warm up as you descend the 500 steps into the caves, and even more as you climb back up, the temperature at 120 m underground doesn't exceed 11°C. The Grotta Gigante, the world's largest cave open to the public, was opened in 1908. It reveals the splendours of a mysterious nature. The cave was first explored in 1840 by Antonio Federico Lindner. At the time, the aim was to capture water from the underground Timavo river to supply the Trieste aqueduct. The entrance was enlarged in 1904 to give visitors a better view of the stalactites and stalagmites.

The cave is currently owned by the Trieste section of the Italian Alpine Club. Guided tour compulsory. It takes about an hour. You walk underground for 850 m. Among the gems of the giant cave are the high Palme (7 m high) and the Colonne Ruggero/Rüdigersäule (12 m high and 4 m in diameter). An interactive multimedia installation with laser and scanner technology is available for visitors with reduced mobility.