Grotta della poesia grande, Natural pool formation in Melendugno, Italy.
The Grotta della Poesia Grande is a large limestone cave in Melendugno containing a circular pool of seawater. The pool connects to the Adriatic through two openings carved by waves and erosion, allowing seawater to flow in and out naturally.
The area was inhabited during the Bronze Age, as shown by archaeological findings nearby. Later, the Messapians built a fortification on a nearby hilltop, making the cave part of an important ancient settlement.
The cave takes its name from a legend about a princess whose beauty inspired poets throughout the region to compose verses. This tale has remained woven into local storytelling and shapes how people think about the place today.
The cave sits on a rocky clifftop and requires descending several steps to reach the cave entrance. Wear sturdy shoes and watch your footing on slippery wet surfaces, as moisture from sea spray is common year-round.
The cave walls bear over 600 ancient inscriptions left by people from different Mediterranean civilizations. These carved messages reveal how travelers and visitors across centuries marked this location as meaningful to them.
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