Page 152 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

150  THE IT ALIAN RIVIER A AREA B Y AREA

e Grotte di Toirano

These caves, a real wonder of nature, are among the most
beautiful in Italy. They are situated in the karst area of the Val
Varatella, between Albenga and Pietra Ligure. Discovered by
young researchers and speleologists from Toirano in 1950,
these subterranean caves, full of broad caverns, stalactites and
stalagmites of all sizes, and rare crystal formations, are reminis­
cent of images of hell. Of prime importance is the beautiful
Grotta della Bàsura (“Cave of the Witch” in Ligurian dialect),
where traces of Palaeolithic man and also the extinct cave bear . Sala dei Misteri
have been found. The caves are also the habitat of a small Traces of prehistoric man are
still visible here. The balls of clay
crawfish (“Niphargus”), while the largest ocellated lizards in hurled at the cave walls were
Europe can also be seen near the caves. The site, which is about probably due to propitiatory
1 km (half a mile) in length, can be toured in around 90 minutes, rites or hunting
is one of the greatest attractions of the western Riviera. ceremonies. The
Sala dei Misteri is
currently closed
Sala Morelli to the public.
The route within the Grotta
della Bàsura starts in this
room. A little further ahead
is the Torre di Pisa (left), an
impressive central stalagmite
formed when water ceased
to flow on the cave floor.

KEY
1 In the Bear Cemetery visitors
can see footprints of Ursus spelaeus
(cave bear).
2 Grotta della Bàsura
3 The Antro di Cibele offers the
extremely rare spectacle of rounded
concretions, spherical even, which
have been shaped by rhythmical Entrance
but continuous fluctuations in the
water level.
4 In the Corridoio delle Colonne . Salotto
evidence of ancient earthquakes can Venturing further into the
be seen in the fracture lines which cave system, visitors reach
split numerous formations in half. the area known as the
5 Grotta di Santa Lucia Inferiore Salotto (“drawing room”).
Here, stalactites, stalag-
6 Grotta di Santa Lucia Superiore mites and wall concretions
(open only on 13 December for create a truly fairytale
patron saint’s day). environment, mirrored in
7 Grotta del Colombo (closed the waters of an under-
to the public). ground pool, with light
playing off the surfaces.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp182–3 and pp194–7

150-151_EW_Italian_Riviera.indd 150 09/09/16 10:48 am