“Eighty meters deep!” Imagine that depth as we stand before the Pozzo a S di Gropada. This isn’t just any hole in the ground. It is a gateway to the Karst’s hidden world.
The Pozzo a S di Gropada resides near Gropada. Gropada is one of the oldest villages of the Triestine Karst. It sits about six kilometers east of Trieste. The village nestles at about 400 meters above sea level.
Let’s delve into the history of Gropada itself because it intertwines with the story of this well. A document from 1150 mentions the area. It notes that the Bonomo family, an old noble family from Trieste, owned vineyards here. By 1278, Gropada was certainly inhabited. It first belonged to the Bishop of Trieste. Later, it became a fief of the Counts of Gorizia.
The population grew slowly. From just over forty people in the 1400s to 112 in 1777. The village then experienced rapid growth. New homes were built throughout the 1800s. The population peaked at 445 in 1936.
Now back to our well, the Pozzo a S di Gropada. The vast opening sits right on the border. To descend, one must enter from the Italian side. The initial section of the well has regular walls. Moss and vegetation cover them. These plants hold loose stones so watch your step if you ever venture down there.
The bottom of the well forms a detrital slope. It leads to a large cavern. Two large chimneys tower above it. A large natural bridge divides the cavern. If you climb over a calcite flow, you’ll find a short tunnel. This tunnel ends in a small, dead-end well.
In 1977, the GSSG, a speleological group, made a discovery. At the bottom of the initial well, they found a new small cave. It is seven meters long. You can reach it by climbing 7.5 meters. They also found a window at 23 meters from the bottom. A simple rope swing will get you there. This window opens into another well. That one is 25 meters deep.
The cave system appears in both the Slovenian and regional registries. The two entrances are on either side of the border. The Pozzo a S di Gropada reaches a depth of 80 meters. Its planimetric development spans 89 meters. The bottom lies at an elevation of 315 meters above sea level.
The Pozzo a S di Gropada is more than just a cave entrance. It is a natural wonder. It is a testament to the hidden beauty beneath our feet. It is a link to the geological history of the Karst. As we leave, remember the depths we have considered. Remember the stories hidden within the stones.