Fessura del Vento – ingresso 2

On a crisp June day in 1964, a persistent breeze led explorers to unveil one of Trieste’s hidden gems: the Fessura del Vento. Fessura del Vento, meaning “Wind’s Fissure”, lived up to its name. The subtle airflow hinted at a larger world concealed beneath the surface. This marked the beginning of the exploration of what was, for a time, the longest and most stunning cave in the Trieste Karst. Fessura del Vento is unique because, besides the Trebiciano Abyss, it’s the only cave in the area with a flowing river. The discovery is credited to Franco Florit. This remarkable individual also discovered the second deep shaft of the Abisso di Samatorza, which was first explored later that year, on December 13, 1964. The Fessura del Vento holds a story carved by water over millennia. The entire cave system was formed by a subterranean river flowing alongside the Rosandra Valley. This river eventually carved a new, lower path, leaving behind the cave we explore today. Fessura del Vento stretches over 2.6 kilometers. The cave boasts two levels. The lower level holds a river that is even navigable by canoe in certain sections. Initially, only the first 5 meters of Fessura del Vento were known. The noticeable airflow from this small opening hinted at a more extensive network. Explorers began extensive digging. They revealed a narrow, 50-meter-long tunnel. Early explorers, some quite slender, painstakingly navigated this tight passage. They often required assistance and ropes to pull themselves back out. The following years saw numerous expeditions in the surrounding area. Explorers hoped to find other caves of interest. These searches proved unsuccessful. Local lore spoke of a possible cavity on the scree slope left of the waterfall. It was said to violently discharge water during periods of heavy rain. Another tale whispered of a cavity discovered during railway construction, subsequently sealed with concrete slabs and hidden beneath a railway tunnel. Despite dedicated efforts, excavations yielded no results. Even now, the Fessura del Vento holds secrets. It whispers of a time when subterranean rivers carved its intricate passages, a testament to the power of nature. Fessura del Vento offers a unique journey through Trieste’s underground world. It showcases the beauty and mystery of the Karst region.