Set inside the San Giovanni Mine, in the Iglesiente, the Santa Barbara Cave is a natural cavity made accessible by human labour.
Unknown to the scientific world because it lay hidden in the heart of the mountain, the cave was discovered in 1952, when, during the excavation of a tunnel, it revealed itself before the astonished eyes of the workers who had broken through a rock wall.
The route to the cave is already part of the experience: aboard a mining train you will travel along a 700-metre track, then ride a lift up a shaft and climb a spiral staircase leading to the entrance. Once you cross the threshold, you will find yourself in a sparkling underground cathedral, where the rocks form colourful bas-reliefs. The cave opens between layers of ceroid limestone and silicified yellow dolomite dating back about 500 million years, and stands out for the dark brown tabular barite crystals that line its walls.
Tours in English at 11:30 am and 3:30 pm.
Upcoming Appointments
- Guided tour of the Santa Barbara Cave within the San Giovanni Mine complex.
- Mining train ride (700 metres), lift up the shaft and access via a spiral staircase.
- Shuttle or transfer;
- Food and drinks.
- Closed-toe shoes;
- Layered clothing (a light jacket or sweatshirt). The temperature inside stays constant between 16 °C and 18 °C.
Languages
- EN
Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Minimum number of people: 1
Maximum Number of People: 17
