Grotte di Stiffe, Natural cave system in San Demetrio ne' Vestini, Italy.
The Grotte di Stiffe is a cave system in the Abruzzi region featuring underground rivers, cascading waterfalls, and subterranean lakes within limestone chambers. Multiple passages connect different sections, each shaped by flowing water and erosion over geological time.
The cave system became accessible to visitors in the early 1900s when a hydroelectric station was built to harness the underground river's power. This facility operated until World War II when it was destroyed, after which the site transitioned to tourism.
Archaeological excavations in 1997 uncovered Neolithic and Eneolithic artifacts within a small cavity formed by river erosion inside the caves.
Visits are conducted on guided tours since water areas can be slippery and pathways narrow in places. Sturdy footwear and layers are essential year-round due to the consistently cool underground temperature.
Two dark bands of metallic oxides mark the white limestone walls, created by mineral deposits accumulating over thousands of years. These geological stripes tell the story of water movement and environmental changes recorded in the stone itself.
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