The enchanting Stoup Caves, Dante’s Bolgia, Ornella Lake, Hall of Elephants, Hall of Lace, Tower of Pisa, Amphitheater Crater
Cave of speleological interest which opens into the Taranta Valley, within the Maiella national park, in the territory of the municipalities of Lama dei Peligni and Taranta Peligna, in the province of Chieti
It is also known as the Grotta della Figlia di Iorio as it inspired the screenplay of D’Annunzio’s tragedy of the same name set in Abruzzo in 1903
During the Second World War it was used as a refuge by the inhabitants of Taranta: the women and children took refuge here, while the men took refuge in the nearby Grotta del Bove. The Cavallone is therefore a combination of geology, nature, culture and history for which it was included in the geosites of the Park.
BEFORE ARRIVING – CABLE CAR
To reach the Caves there is a cable car (cestovia) which climbs to an altitude of 1388 m above sea level from the starting point of 760 metres. In about 20 minutes you arrive at Colle Rotondo and then continue with a short walk that includes 300 steps that reach the entrance to the beautiful Cavallone Caves.
The historic green cabins allow you to enjoy the magnificent 360° panorama offered by the Taranta Valley and above all to see, on the left wall, the famous horse’s face which has the entrance to the cave as its eye and which gives its name to the cavity!
The departure station of the cable car, in Pian di Valle along (Lama dei Peligni – Chieti) the S.S. Frentana is 750 meters above sea level and reaches an altitude of 1300 meters above sea level, traveling slowly along the Taranta Peligna Valley. The route will last about twenty minutes, then you will continue on foot for another ten to reach the entrance of the Cave.
Tips for visiting
Once you get off the cable car, a short walk and a staircase of around 180 steps will take you near the entrance to the magnificent caves where you will find a constant temperature, from January to December, of 10° and a humidity rate of 90%. .
In order to better organize your day, we inform you that the guided tour inside the Cavallone Caves and the return trip on the cable car will take you for approximately 3 hours.
Dogs are not allowed in the Cave.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The altitude of the location and the climatic and environmental conditions of the cave require the use of suitable clothing and footwear.
We recommend: Sturdy shoes with non-slip. Open shoes or shoes with soles should be excluded; Comfortable clothing, an extra t-shirt, a hat. Don’t forget to pack plenty of water in your backpack. Due to the characteristics of the mountain itself, this route is not recommended for people who are not in perfect physical condition
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The temperature, constant all year round, is around 10°C. It is a karst cave excavated in calcarenites and flint-bearing limestones, dated between 65 and 23 million years ago, due to the action of water rising from the subsoil.
This hypogenic origin explains the presence of rare minerals in the karst of the limestones, such as alunite and gypsum. There are numerous speleothems present inside, especially stalagmites. One of the largest, more than 2 m high, is located near the entrance. The cave is frequented by bats especially during the winter period. The first testimonies of visits date back to 1666, but 1865 is considered the year of the actual discovery.
Cavallone Caves
Cable car Pian di Valle Lungo (Lama dei Peligni location)
Taranta Peligna (Chieti)
Abruzzo – Italy
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