Visit Frasassi caves
The caves at Frasassi (Grotte di Frasassi) are at Genga, 50 kilometres south-west of Ancona, in the Le Marche region.
Only discovered in the 1971, the Grotte di Frasassi is one of the largest known cave systems in Europe and has an impressive array of stalactites and stalagmites spread along 1500 metres of accesible caverns.
We can hardly imagine the excitement the underground explorers must have had when they discovered such an immense underground system! By 1974 the first visitors to the Frasassi caves were being admitted.
Visiting Frasassi caves
Visited by guided tour that takes just over an hour to complete, the chambers in the caves are awesome in their size - up to 240 metres in height - and very impressive, enhanced with various light effects en route.
The range of rock formations, stalactites, water pools etc to be seen at Frasassi is astounding and a visit highly recommended.
Despite the area now open to the public there is still a large part of the caves that can not be visited by the public, and although almost 15 kilometres of passages and caves have been explored in the system this is believed to be less than half of the total
The largest cave at Frasassi - the Cave of the Wind (also the largest cave in Europe) - has become well known by the Italian public after being used in an unusual TV reality programme which involved seeing how well people got on when shut in a cave together for a long time. Hmmm, don't fancy that much myself!
Close to Frasassi caves
The region around the Frasassi caves is a mix of quiet hill villages and very attractive scenery including the Gola della Rossa Nature Park which is also well worth exploring.
We particularly suggest you follow the road towards Ganga to visit the Temple of Valadier and the Sanctuary of Saint Maria Infrasaxa, situated in a hillside cave and in a particularly scenic location.
Note : photo is copyright
You can find more local travel ideas in the Marche guide.
Map of Frasassi caves and places to visit
Frasassi caves places to visit
Fabriano
Fabriano has several interesting historic monuments, the highlight being the Palazzo del PodestÃ
Fabriano guide
Cingoli
Visited as a trip from one of the resorts nearby on the Adriatic, the small town of Cingoli has a great deal to admire
Cingoli guide
Gualdo Tadino
The fortress and castle museum are the principal attraction in the small town of Gualdo Tadino
Gualdo Tadino guide
Jesi
The medieval centre, old town and cathedral make Jesi an interesting destination to explore
Jesi guide
San Severino
Highlights in San Severino include the remarkable ensemble of buildings around the Piazza del Popolo and the Archaeological Park of Septempeda
San Severino guide...or see all our recommended places to visit in Marche
