Grotta del Leone

Grotta del Leone is a prehistoric cave in the hills of San Giuliano Terme with a large chamber and a descending path that leads to an underground lake. This lake connects to the adjacent Buca dei Ladri cave system, linking the two spaces together.

The cave was occupied about 18,000 years ago by nomadic hunter-gatherers who used it for shelter from the elements. Thousands of years later, between 4000 and 3000 BCE, early farming groups moved into the space and left behind traces of their daily life.

Farming communities gathered here for ceremonies and burials, leaving behind charred grain and obsidian tools imported from distant Mediterranean islands. These remains show how the people connected with distant regions and how important this space was for their spiritual practices.

The cave entrance sits within the hills near San Giuliano Terme and planning ahead helps you find the right approach. Walking through the space requires suitable footwear since the ground is often wet and uneven in places.

A distinctive stalagmite formation naturally shaped like a lion gave the cave its name in multiple languages. This stone feature is something visitors notice while exploring the passages.