The Caves of Castellana attracts tourists from all over the world and since the day of their opening have had more than 15 million visitors. 

Located at the entrance of the Itria Valley, a few kilometers from the charming villages of  Alberobello, Cisternino and Polignano a Mare. 

The Grotte di Castellana began to form about 90 million years ago although the caves were only discovered quite recently really as cave systems go. Back in 1938 speleologist Franco Anelli had wondered why a large opening above a cavern which the local used to drop their bags of rubbish and waste products, never got full. He dug a route through all the rubbish and entered the cave and discovered a whole new underground system. The limestone caves are 3 kilometres in length and more than 60 metres deep and form Italy’s longest natural complex of subterranean caves. Remarkably dry for a cave system they offer spectacular views of speleothems, stalactites and stalagmites. They used to be known by the local people as Hell’s Gate or the Devil’s House, a place where the spirits of the dead are wandering. I took these pictures in ‘the Grave’ a huge chamber, unfortunately photography was not allowed deeper into the cave system.