Curiosities about the Caves
I The unsolved mysteries
NEW CAVITIES TO EXPLORE
The Grave has revealed only a fraction of its secrets. A depression in the north wall of the cavern, which was discovered during clearance work in the Grave Abyss, suggests that there may be new areas to explore.
A rich population of bats and cave animals
La The fauna of the cave
The most characteristic inhabitant of the Caves is undoubtedly the bat ,the only mammal capable of active flight, completely harmless to visitors. The five species of animals present in our Caves are all small : Miniopterus schreibersii, Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Rhinolophus euryale and Myotis capaccinii.
However, the world of caves is home to species of animals that live in caves. New generations of these organisms have adapted to difficult underground life, finding an ecosystem that protects them from extinction.
And that's not all! Biospeleological research conducted inside the Castellana Caves has led to the discovery of new endemic species such as isopods crustaceans: Murgeoniscus Anellii and Castellanethes Sanfilippoi, the pseudoscorpion Hadoblothrus gigas; the pselaphid beetle Tychobythinus rings; the carabid beetle Italodytes stammeri. The luckiest visitors, during the tour, might even glimpse of theorthopteran Troglophilus Andreinii, a species of cave-dwelling grasshopper.
Celebrities, cinema, television and concerts
The Caves stage of wonder
Since they were first opened to tourists, the Castellana Caves have attracted distinguished figures from the worlds of politics, culture and entertainment. The signatures collected in the official registers testify to this long history. Notable visitors include Luigi Einaudi, Aldo Moro and Enrico Mattei, who visited in the mid-twentieth century, as well as entertainment icons such as Gina Lollobrigida, Silvana Pampanini, Princess Margaret of England and the celebrated tenor Tito Schipa.
Even the film industry was captivated by the caves' unique charm, using them as a natural setting for numerous films. From the XNUMXs to the XNUMXs, Italian and international directors chose the caves as the setting for spectacular scenes and evocative atmospheres. Films shot inside include: The Age of Love by Lionello De Felice; Hercules at the Centre of the Earth by Mario Bava and Franco Prosperi; Maciste in Hell by Riccardo Freda; Casanova 'XNUMX by Mario Monicelli; The King of Criminals by Paolo Bianchini; Stellar Collisions Beyond the Third Dimension by Luigi Cozzi; Alien XNUMX on Earth by Ciro Di Palma and Biagio Proietti; The Bride's Journey by Sergio Rubini; and an episode of the famous television series Holiday Profession, directed by Vittorio De Sisti.
The Caves have also frequently been chosen as a prime location for television documentaries and reports. Highly successful programmes such as 'Passaggio a Nord-Ovest' and Ulisse with Alberto Angela, 'Freedom – Oltre il confine presented' by Roberto Giacobbo, and 'Linea Verde Radici' with Federico Quaranta have showcased the wonders of this karst complex, bringing it to the attention of the general public.
The Castellana Caves also host music and live performances. Over the years, leading artists have chosen this unique setting in which to perform evocative concerts XNUMX metres underground. The stars of these unforgettable events include Massimo Ranieri, Pupo, Carmen Consoli, Vinicio Capossela, Simone Cristicchi and Giuliano Sangiorgi, who have all performed on the thrilling stage of the Caverna della Grave, where sound and nature blend in perfect harmony.
Insights
The caves
The discovery
The origin
Photo and video