“Ever heard of a hidden world beneath our feet?” That world is Grotta 1° a S di Sales. This isn’t just any hole in the ground. It’s a journey into the depths of the Carso Triestino.
Grotta 1° a S di Sales is a relatively small cave. Its depth reaches 25 meters. It may lack the grandeur of Grotta Gigante but it offers a unique adventure. The cave is located in the municipality of Sgonico. It sits at 262 meters above sea level.
Our story begins at the entrance of Grotta 1° a S di Sales. The entrance is a vertical shaft. It’s a tight squeeze measuring only 1.5 by 1 meter. A 3.8-meter pozzetto leads into the darkness. Climbing skills are needed.
The first exploration of Grotta 1° a S di Sales was mapped on July 21, 1990. Roberto Martincich and Walter Craievich are the men to thank. They belonged to the CGEB. That is the Commissione Grotte Eugenio Boegan.
Inside Grotta 1° a S di Sales alternating vertical and horizontal sections await. After descending the entrance shaft, a narrow passage leads into the cave. A small chamber lies to the north. To the south another chamber houses a well. It connects to the lower levels. The main shaft splits because of a natural bridge.
The cave is formed along a north-south fracture. Calcification coats the interior of Grotta 1° a S di Sales.
Speleologists from the Gruppo Triestino Speleologi marked the cave on January 1, 2015. The tag number is 4806.
Grotta 1° a S di Sales is not a tourist cave. It is a place for true explorers. The cave presents several internal obstructions. At its deepest point, a clogged well hints at further passages.
To reach Grotta 1° a S di Sales from Sgonico, take the first dirt road. Turn left at the beginning of Sales. Follow it for about 350 meters until a wide curve to the right. Then abandon it. A gap in the dry stone wall marks the way. Turn right 90 degrees and walk sixty meters. A flat area with limestone outcrops appears. The cave entrance lies twenty meters from the southeast edge of a dolina.
Imagine the darkness. Think about the cool air. Feel the rough rock. Grotta 1° a S di Sales is more than just a cave. It is a testament to the hidden wonders beneath our feet. It is a challenge. It is a journey into the unknown.