The Frasassi Caves

The Frasassi Caves were discovered on September 25, 1971, by Rolando Silvestri. Mr. Silvestri was a member of the Ancona Speleological Group of the Italian Alpine Club, led by Giancarlo Cappanera. During the 1950s and 1960s, various CAI groups discovered more areas, including a one-kilometer tunnel from the Grotta del Fiume. In July 1971, some locals from Jesi were surprised to find a small hole in the ground. Hot air was coming out of it. They immediately started digging and found the entrance to an intricate maze of caves and tunnels over 5 km long.

At first, these explorers couldn’t reach the bottom of the cave due to a lack of equipment. They calculated the height of the cave by throwing a stone. By doing this, they measured the time of the fall. This first, rather inaccurate measurement of the height led them to believe the cave was 100 m high. After gathering the appropriate equipment, they explored what was later named the “Ancona Abyss” to honor the discoverers’ hometown. Every major newspaper featured an article about it. The Frasassi Caves became extremely famous within a fortnight. On December 8, 1971, another tunnel was discovered. It links the Grotta del Fiume to the Grotta del Grande Vento. That tunnel was named “Condotta dei Fabrianesi.” More discoveries followed and more caves were found. Today, the Frasassi Caves are 13 km long. The most famous are: “Sala 200,” a 200 m tunnel; “Sala delle Candeline,” full of stalagmites; “Sala Bianca,” made of pure calcite; “Sala dell’Orsa,” where a large rock shaped like a bear lies; and “Sala Infinito” (The Infinite Hall), where explorers lost their way and walked for hours, believing the hall to be infinite.