The Castellana caves are located 40 km far from Bari and are considered the most important speleological environment in Italy and Europe: their wide range of crystal concretions, their size and amazing variety of natural galleries are responsible for the role played by the caves of Puglia. They are the result of the eroding action of an ancient underground river which for centuries dug and shaped the calcareous rocks composing the murgia in the Bari area. They were discovered in 1938 by the speleologist Franco Anelli. Today approximatley three kilometers of underground alleys have been explored, including two distinct routes unveiling fascinating sceneries before the visitors’ eyes: huge stalagmites and stalactites, large caves decorated by an incredible variety of shapes and colours such as the White Cave, the Altar Cave, the Dome Cave and the Nativity Passage, where a stalagmite can be see resembling Mother Mary, called Madonnina delle Grotte. After it was discovered, the site has been studied and enhanced to take advantage of all its potential in terms of tourism and education. Administration offices, a lift tower, shops, bars, restaurants and hotels were built. A speleological museum dedicated to Franco Anelli illustrates the scientific and didactic vocation of the environment through numerous activities and events, including the pubblication of the review entitled Grotte e dintorni.
