Grotta Gigante, Natural show cave in Sgonico, Italy.
Grotta Gigante is a show cave in Sgonico near Trieste featuring a large main chamber notable for its dimensions and calcite formations. The interior extends across a considerable area and displays numerous stalactites, stalagmites, and other mineral deposits on walls and ceiling.
Antonio Federico Lindner found the cave in 1840 while searching for underground water sources to supply the Trieste drinking water network. It was later opened to visitors and became a well-known destination in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.
The adjacent speleology museum displays geological samples, fossilized remains, and objects from archaeological digs in the surrounding region. Visitors also see tools and equipment once used for exploring underground chambers.
Guided visits last about one hour and run several times daily, with visitors walking down stairs and uneven paths. Parking is available near the entrance, and the temperature inside remains cool throughout the year.
Scientific instruments inside measure tiny shifts in rock and help researchers track geological processes over long periods. These devices make the site a natural laboratory for earth science beneath the surface.
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