PRESS RELEASE
78 YEARS SINCE THE DISCOVERY OF THE CASTELLANA CAVES
Castellana Grotte, January 21, 2016 – This year marks the 78th anniversary of the discovery of the Castellana karst site, and as is tradition, Grotte di Castellana srl and the Puglia Grotte Group are promoting and organizing several initiatives for January 23.
At 11:00 a.m., Padre Pio D'Andola will celebrate Holy Mass in the Grave, the first cave encountered upon descending into the fascinating underground world. Professor Franco Anelli descended into the cave on the morning of January 23rd, followed by Vito Matarrese, immediately sensing the priceless discovery. To commemorate those courageous deeds, at the end of the Mass, a speleologist will abseil from the mouth of the Grave, covering a distance of over 60 meters into the void until reaching the age-old calcite concretions.
Afterwards, speleologists—SSI or CAI members with their own equipment and insurance—will be able to descend into the tourist karst complex of Castellana through the natural entrance to the Grave, specially equipped for descent by speleologists from the Puglia Grotte Group. Speleologists descending by rope may only spend a minimum amount of time in the Grave cave. The event is sponsored by the Italian Speleological Society.
Furthermore, for all speleologists (SSI or CAI members) who would like to try their hand at exploring the side paths of the Castellana Caves, the Puglia Grotte Group has organized special tours. Reservations are essential by Friday, January 22nd at 20:00 PM. Contact Giampaolo Pinto at 3391306037.
Friends and relatives of cavers participating in the Grave descent and interested in visiting the Castellana Caves will receive a discount on the ticket price, thanks to an agreement between the Puglia Grotte Group and the Castellana Caves Society exclusively for this event. Registration for all participants will take place at the Anelli Museum, where an event secretariat will be available to assist the ticket office. The tour entry time will be communicated upon registration.
All the details are available at www.grottedicastellana.it
Press Office Grotte di Castellana Srl
Serena Greco cell. +39 348 7649373
Social Media Marketing Consultant
Marica Buquicchio cell. +39 334 7649177
www.grottedicastellana.it
