Grotta del Colle, Archaeological cave in Rapino, Italy.
Grotta del Colle is a limestone cave featuring multiple chambers and natural passages that branch in various directions. The interior is dark with uneven floors and alternating sections of high ceilings and narrow spaces.
The cave was used by humans from the Old Stone Age onward and remained an important location for mobile and settled communities across thousands of years. Archaeological digs documented its continuous occupation through Roman times.
The entrance features remains of the Santa Maria in Cryptis church, built atop an ancient Italic shrine honoring Jupiter and Ceres. The site demonstrates how different faiths and peoples used the same sacred location across many generations.
Bring sturdy footwear and a light source, as the ground is uneven and the interior is quite dark throughout. Conditions inside are cool and damp, so warm and moisture-resistant clothing is advisable.
A particularly important discovery is the Tabula Rapinensis, a bronze tablet inscribed in the Oscan language dating to the 3rd century BC. This rare inscription reveals details about ancient religious practices and the language of the region's past inhabitants.
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