Visit to the Caves of Sant'Angelo in Cassano all'Ionio

An underground journey into the bowels of the earth, immersed in an evocative landscape that transports you to another dimension. Among stalactites and stalagmites, paths and labyrinths slowly carved out by time, in an environment where gypsum, sand and clay have taken on surprising forms, shaped by nature like works of art.

Visiting the Caves of Sant'Angelo in Cassano all'Ionio is an amazing experience for adults and children alike, accessible to those who are more experienced and want to embark on a fascinating and challenging adventure equipped with a helmet and headlamp, but also to those who want to discover the underground site safely and via a comfortable, well-lit path.

This spectacular underground site is a network of caves and natural passages created by the corrosion of sulphurous water rivers. It is one of the longest karst systems in Calabria (2,563 metres) and is located close to the town of Cassano all'Ionio.

The underground system consists of three cavities connected by natural tunnels: the Lower Cave of Sant'Angelo, the Upper Cave of Sant'Angelo, and the Cave Above the Caves of Sant'Angelo. The walls are composed of gypsum, clay, sand and debris from a predominantly carbonic aquifer, but what is most striking are the diverse and surprising shapes of the stalactites and stalagmites. This incredible site, open to tourists as well as enthusiasts and scholars of speleology and history, has enormous historical and archaeological value, as the traces found inside it over the last few decades attest to the presence of humans since the Middle Neolithic period (4th millennium BC).

The archaeological finds discovered in the caves are currently preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria. These include everyday ceramics such as jugs, milk kettles, cups and terracotta containers used to store wine, oil, wheat and legumes. Among the most valuable finds is a 5.5 cm tall painted ceramic female statuette.

These long, deep cavities have always provided a safe haven for the earliest inhabitants of the Sibaritide area. They were the permanent home of agricultural communities from the Middle Neolithic period (5th and 4th millennia BC) until the end of the Bronze Age. They were later frequented by populations from the Metal Age (111-11 millennia BC). The credit for recognising their historical and archaeological value goes to the speleologist Francesco Orofino, who was the first to visit the caves in 1951. Thanks to a series of excavations carried out between 1978 and 1982, the funerary use of the cave known as 'Pavolella' was discovered, a very rare example of a cremation system in the Neolithic period. Despite the absence of light, plants grow in the caves, living in contact with stalactites and stalagmites and feeding on the constant fall of limestone rock. Recently, spectacular forms of vegetation have been discovered, with small filaments and a root embedded in the soil. These are extremely rare phenomena that are being closely monitored by the scientific community.

The underground site is located a short distance from the centre of Cassano all'Ionio. A large car park allows you to leave your car and walk (but a shuttle service is available on request) to the entrance in about ten minutes, enjoying a view that encompasses the Pollino mountains on one side and the Ionian Sea on the other.

The guides of the 'Enzo dei Medici' Regional Speleology Centre accompany visitors on a journey of discovery through the underground world, providing historical information and interesting facts about the caves. There are two routes on offer: the first is a tourist route, which is safe as it is equipped with convenient metal walkways and well lit. It winds for 250 metres through a series of natural passages where you can admire the landscape rich in stalactites and stalagmites. The caving route, on the other hand, is for those who are ready for a truly unforgettable adventure. There are no walkways and the caves are lit by caving helmets with LED lamps provided by the guides. The ground is uneven, but entering the caves is not particularly difficult. The tour allows you to enter a passage rich in deposits of pure white chalk. Both routes are open to adults and children aged six and above.

The tour of the Sant'Angelo Caves lasts about an hour and takes place in an environment that is not particularly cold but very humid. It is therefore advisable to always wear a sweatshirt or fleece jacket and closed-toe shoes. On the caving route, it is essential to wear clothing and equipment suitable for the location: a caving helmet with LED lighting is provided by the organisation, and you will need hiking boots or shoes with suitable soles, a scarf to wear under the caving helmet, and comfortable clothing.

The caves can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, both in the morning (last admission at 11.30 a.m.) and in the afternoon (5.30 p.m.), but it is always advisable to book in advance.