“What secrets lie beneath our feet?” That’s the question that draws us to Grotta Nuova di Prosecco. This isn’t just any cave. Grotta Nuova di Prosecco is a portal to a hidden world.
Grotta Nuova di Prosecco also goes by another name. Some call it Grotta Supernova. Its main entrance is a vertical shaft. It drops a mere 2.5 meters. Don’t let that fool you. Adventure awaits beyond that small opening. To enter, you will need the keys. You can ask for them at Società Alpina delle Giulie.
The Grotta Nuova di Prosecco was first registered on January 1, 1969. The coordinates for Grotta Nuova di Prosecco were updated on August 19, 2006. Barbara Grillo was responsible for determining the coordinates. She was with RIP.REG.
Let’s talk about the cave’s features. Grotta Nuova di Prosecco extends 480 meters horizontally. Its depth reaches 228 meters. The bottom sits at only 2 meters above sea level. The cave alternates between vertical and horizontal passages. The cave is not open to tourists.
Geologically, the Grotta Nuova di Prosecco consists of massive carbonates. These formed in an open platform environment. That was during the Upper Cretaceous and Paleocene epochs. The rock includes Calcareniti del Molassa. It also includes Calcari di Monte San Michele.
Inside, you will find mud. Concretions decorate the final part of the cave. These sediments resulted from clay buildup. They were left behind by the rising waters.
Imagine the moment of discovery. The entrance was blocked by stones. However, the presence of moisture suggested vast chambers below. Explorers cleared the initial drop. They found a thin calcitic wall. Beyond it lay a deep shaft. The shaft descends vertically. Small ledges interrupt the way. At 40 meters, the cave widens dramatically. A massive cavern lies at the shaft’s base.
A portal adorned with stalactites leads to a short gallery. This gallery is rich in formations. At the end, a chimney rises. It disappears into the darkness. Back in the gallery, there is a blind shaft. A side chamber once held a small lake. It is now dry. Coralloid formations remain.
In 2001, explorers updated their findings. Beyond a 55-meter shaft, a series of drops lead to a gallery. After 50 meters, it expands to 10×10 meters. The terminal part branches into multiple paths. Two large chimneys connect to a cavern. Here lies the cave’s deepest shaft at 59 meters.
From the 59-meter shaft onward, the Grotta Nuova di Prosecco becomes corroded. Rockfalls pose a significant hazard. A series of narrow, muddy shafts descends to 228 meters.
Grotta Nuova di Prosecco is a testament to nature’s artistry. It’s also a challenge for those who dare to explore its depths. Remember the names of those who mapped its secrets. Giuseppe Baldo created the first map. Natale Bone, Lucio Comello, and Maurizio Glavina updated it later. Their work allows us to imagine this hidden world.