Blinking in the sunlight we now stand before the entrance to the Grotta del Ragno. This cave also known as Spider Cave is not just another hole in the ground. It is a window into the hidden world beneath our feet.
The Grotta del Ragno is located near Fernetti’s landfill. It lies about one hundred meters from the border at the bottom of a large dolina. The cave’s entrance sits 316 meters above sea level. This location gives it a unique character.
The exploration of this cave begins with a descent. A large shaft with bare walls drops into a cavern. From here a narrow passage leads to a second chamber. Debris forms a very steep step making the passage challenging. This chamber is divided by two large rocky backdrops. An demanding climb leads to two branches. These branches contain abundant concretions and some pools of water.
The Grotta del Ragno has a planimetric development of 49 meters. Its depth reaches 42.5 meters. The total difference in altitude is 42.5 meters. The bottom of the cave lies at 273.5 meters. The cave offers a glimpse into the geological forces that shaped this landscape.
Another Grotta del Ragno exists near Grotta Gigante. To reach it you must head toward the railway line in a WSW direction. Cross the railway about fifty meters to the right of the traffic light. Continue for 40 meters to a dolina. At the edge of this dolina lies the Grotta della Tartaruga. On the wall facing the railway you will find the entrance to the shaft of Grotta del Ragno. The entrance is a fissure that can be traversed with some difficulty. The shaft has eroded walls. At the bottom a narrow horizontal fissure sometimes emits an air current. This Grotta del Ragno has a planimetric development of only 3.5 meters. Its depth reaches 9 meters. The bottom of the cave lies at 246 meters.
Yet another Grotta dei Ragni or Cave of Spiders exists. To reach this cave take the road from Villanova to Viganti. When the road bends south in a hairpin turn follow a path that goes up the small valley in a NE direction. 200 meters upstream is a hollow formed by a stream often dry. The cave is located on the eastern side. The upper entrance leads to a very narrow 4-meter shaft. The lower entrance leads to a short tunnel. The tunnel also connects to the access shaft. The shaft leads to a 2-meter drop. Below the drop is the first small cave with a chimney-like ceiling and a large stalactite column. A gallery with the floor partially blocked by fallen rocks leads to the second small cave. This one is larger than the previous one. The ceiling is pierced by two high chimneys. A 2-meter-long fissure runs parallel to this second small cave separated by a large slab of rock. The lower part of the cave is entirely carved into sandstone. The cave owes its name to the quantity of troglophilic spiders that live there. This cave has a planimetric development of 16 meters. Its depth reaches 6.5 meters. The bottom of the cave lies at 593.5 meters.
Each Grotta del Ragno tells a story of water stone and time. Each one is a unique ecosystem.
Remember the Grotta del Ragno as we continue. It is a reminder of the hidden wonders that lie beneath the surface. It is also a testament to the power of nature to create beauty in the most unexpected places.