Grotte di Frasassi
The Grotte di Frasassi is an absolute highlight of Le Marche. As soon as you enter the caves, you feel small in the face of nature's mighty work. Water and stone have worked together here for over 190 million years, creating a spectacular display of stalactite formations. Although the caves are millions of years old, they have only been open to the public since 1974. More than 10 million visitors have since admired this wonder of nature with their own eyes. We decided not to take the fastest route via the motorway, but to take the shortcut. An excellent choice! On the way, we drove past vast vineyards, silver-green olive trees and bright yellow fields full of sunflowers. The drive itself - about 90 minutes from Villa Verde - was already a feast for the eyes.
After our wonderful drive, we were able to park without difficulty just past the entrance to the caves. There is a spacious car park there, equipped with charging points for electric cars. A bus departs from this spot to take you and other visitors to the entrance of the caves, where a guide is already waiting to take you to explore. As a visitor, you can take a wonderful guided tour (mandatory with a guide). Buy your tickets in advance via www.frasassi.com, as it is a popular destination.
The history of the discovery is at least as fascinating. In 1948, the first opening was found - some stories say by a farmer, others name speleologists as the discoverer. The breakthrough came in 1971 with the discovery of the ‘Grotta Grande del Vento’, or Great Cave of the Wind, by a group of climbers who discovered a hole in the mountain during their trek. Since then, more impressive chambers have been discovered, such as the Abisso Ancona (more than 200 metres high!) and the Sala dell'Orsa, with a rock formation in the shape of a bear.
After our visit, we decided to drive on to the Tempio del Valadier, just outside the town of Genga. A short but brisk walk of 700 metres brings you to this hidden gem: a neoclassical chapel built in a natural cave. The temple - designed by Giuseppe Valadier at the behest of Pope Leo XII - is built of local travertine and served as a ‘refuge for sinners’. Inside, you will find a beautiful marble statue of Madonna and Child, attributed to Antonio Canova.
By lunchtime, we settled down at Trattoria Hosteria Da Marianna for a delicious, local meal. Afterwards, we still had time to spare and decided to visit the charming town of San Severino Marche.
The lively Piazza del Popolo, with its unique oval shape, is the beating heart of the city. Admire the 18th-century Palazzo Comunale, the Baroque church of San Giuseppe and the neoclassical Feronia theatre. Finish with an aperitivo on the terrace of Pino's Bar or Bar Central.
Tip: since 2020, two interactive city walks are available at the local tourist office - fun and educational!
