Grotte di Pugnetto, Nature reserve in Mezzenile, Italy
Grotte di Pugnetto is a cave system in Mezzenile formed by natural cavities within calcschist slopes, with the main Borna Grande branch reaching approximately 765 meters in depth. Multiple chambers throughout the system connect via passages, creating a substantial network of underground spaces.
Scientific study began here in 1814 when zoologist F. Bonelli conducted research on bat species inhabiting the caves. This early work established the site as a location of scientific interest that would be studied for generations.
The Madonna branch holds a small religious statue, and a memorial shrine with plaques stands near the entrance. These features show how visitors and locals have used the cave as a place of spiritual reflection over time.
Plan your visit between April and October, as the cave closes from November to March for bat protection. The Italian Alpine Club offers guided tours that are the safest way to explore the underground passages.
Large stone blocks litter the floor of several chambers, having fallen from ceilings over millions of years of geological time. These debris piles create changing routes through the cave and reveal how natural forces gradually reshape underground spaces.
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