Grotta Su Marmuri, the 'marble cave' of Ulassai, is a subterranean marvel hidden in plain sight. Situated in the Barbaricina subregion of the Ogliastra, Sardinia, the entrance is concealed beneath a characteristic building, making it easy to miss if you do not specifically look for it. But what lies beneath is one of Europe's most impressive caves, with an entrance that stretches 850 metres along the ground and two characteristic underground lakes full of water that has seeped into the rock for 600 million years.
The most imposing parts of the cave are the immense ceilings – some of the highest in Europe – that sprout towering stalagmites and delicate stalactites. The cave also boasts numerous calcitic concretions, adding to its otherworldly beauty. Among the fauna that call Grotta Su Marmuri home are the Ovobathysciola gestroi, a subterranean beetle, and the Italian geotriton, an amphibian adapted to cave life, known as Speleomanthes imperialis. A large colony of bats also resides in the cave. Visitors are welcome, but only with a guide and during the visiting season.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Sardinian
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