Grotte di Stiffe, Natural cave system in San Demetrio ne' Vestini, Italy.
The Stiffe Caves feature a river system that flows through limestone formations, creating cascading waterfalls and underground lakes within the caverns.
During the early 1900s, the cave's water current powered a hydroelectric station that operated until its destruction in World War II.
Archaeological excavations in 1997 uncovered Neolithic and Eneolithic artifacts within a small cavity formed by river erosion inside the caves.
The cave system maintains a constant temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, requiring visitors to wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes during the guided tours.
Two dark bands of metallic oxides contrast with white limestone walls, marking geological deposits accumulated over thousands of years.
Location: San Demetrio ne' Vestini
Website: https://visitsandemetrio.it/place/grotte-di-stiffe
GPS coordinates: 42.25573,13.54236
Latest update: May 13, 2025 06:14
The Abruzzo region contains medieval villages, Roman sites and natural parks. The mountain fortress Rocca Calascio stands at 1460 meters elevation. The Gran Sasso and Majella national parks offer hiking trails through mountain terrain. On the coast, Ortona has beaches on the Adriatic Sea. The region produces saffron in Navelli and pasta in Fara San Martino. The parks house wolves and bears, while historic towns like Sulmona display Roman and medieval structures.
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