Antro del Corchia

Antro del Corchia is a solutional cave system in the Apuan Alps where a network of passages and tunnels descends through the mountain's interior. The cave contains water-sculpted rock formations and shows the natural history of how limestone dissolves and reshapes over geological time.

Local marble workers stumbled upon the cave system when they noticed air currents flowing through ground openings during their mining activities. This chance discovery eventually led to further exploration and opening the site for visitors.

Scientists examine the cave's rock formations to study Earth's climate patterns from three million years ago, when the Apuan Alps emerged from the seabed.

Visitors reach the cave entrance via a shuttle service departing from the village base area, which climbs to higher elevation where the opening is located. Wear sturdy footwear and bring layers, as the pathways are uneven and the interior stays cool throughout the year.

The interior maintains a consistent cool temperature year-round, allowing rock formations to preserve their shape without significant change. Scientists study these formations to read records of ancient climate conditions from millions of years in Earth's past.