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Grotta Zinzulusa

Caves & gorges ·Castro
4.512.9K
#2Things to do in CastroMost reviewed in CastroTravelers' Choice 2025
  • Visit: 30 min
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About

Grotta Zinzulusa is a coastal cave north of Castro, on Apulia’s Salento shore between Castro and Santa Cesarea Terme. Its entrance is in a cliff above the sea.

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Grotta Zinzulusa — Stone steps and railings lead through the cave interior Mierco · CC0 · edited
Grotta Zinzulusa — Stone steps and railings lead through the cave interiorGrotta Zinzulusa — Visitors walk along the rocky path beside the cave poolGrotta Zinzulusa — Visitors gather beside a turquoise pool in the caveGrotta Zinzulusa — Rock formations rise from the cave's green underground poolGrotta Zinzulusa — Close view of the cave's pale stalactites and rock chambersGrotta Zinzulusa — Clear water fills a rocky pool beneath the cave roofGrotta Zinzulusa — Cave mouth frames the sea and boats outsideGrotta Zinzulusa — View from inside the cave toward the bright seaGrotta Zinzulusa — Rocky sea cliff and turquoise water at the cave entrance

Why go

  • The corridor delle Meraviglie leads to Trabocchetto, where clear water mixes freshwater and marine seepage.
  • Underground crustaceans include ancient species unique to the cave or the Salento Peninsula.
  • Carmelo Bene filmed scenes for Nostra Signora dei Turchi in the cave in 1968.
  • Carlo Verdone used the cave as the final setting for Si vive una volta sola, released in 2021.

Don't miss

  • Entrance formationsStalactites and stalagmites resemble everyday objects.Entrance section, towards the Cripta
  • Il DuomoIts smooth walls reach up to 25 metres high.Large central chamber
  • La ConcaClear marine and fresh water mix here.First section

History

From 1922 to 1958, visits, explorations and scientific publications examined the cave’s history, geology, ethnology and biology. Between 1972 and 1982, the University of L’Aquila studied underground aquatic life in caves including Zinzulusa; the research identified new crustacean and water-mite species.

  1. PlioceneMarine erosion formed the cave.
  2. Prehistory and Roman timesPaleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Roman finds document human presence. Discoveries include tools, pottery fragments, and objects made from bone, flint and obsidian.
  3. 1793Castro bishop Antonio Francesco del Duca described the cave in a letter, its earliest known mention. He suggested it might once have housed a temple of Minerva.
  4. 1923Filippo Bottazzi, Pasquale De Laurentiis and Gino Stasi discovered Typhlocaris salentina and Spelaeomysis bottazzii.
  5. 1940sWorkers removed a 5–7-metre-deep accumulation of bat guano from the chamber floor and built walkways still used for tours.
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  1. 1996A municipality-sponsored exploration found a submerged route about 110 metres long beyond the Cocito siphon.

Tips for your visit

  • Specialist guides lead the visit and explain the cave’s origin and formation.
  • Expect an interior temperature close to the temperature outside.

Know before you go

  • Only the first 150 metres are open to visitors; the remainder is partly flooded and protected for its biodiversity.
  • In 1999, the Karst Waters Institute identified Zinzulusa among ten karst systems worldwide considered most at risk.

How to get there

  • On footEnter on foot from Piazzale Zinzulusa, at Piazzale Zinzulusa Litoranea, Castro.

Shorts

Interesting facts4

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  1. The name comes from a local dialect word for rags, inspired by stalactites hanging like threads.

    Grotta Zinzulusa - Wikipedia
  2. 26 aquatic

    Researchers have identified 26 aquatic and 40 terrestrial species in the cave.

    Grotta Zinzulusa

  3. Bats no longer live in the cave.

    Grotta Zinzulusa - Wikipedia

  4. The underwater section contains the sponge Higginsia ciccaresei, described as a living fossil unique worldwide.

    Grotta Zinzulusa - Wikipedia

Sources: Grotta Zinzulusa - Wikipedia · Grotta Zinzulusa · La Visita - Grotta Zinzulusa · La storia - Grotta Zinzulusa · Grotta Zinzulusa - Wikipedia · checked 6 Oct 2026

Where
Piazzale Zinzulusa Litoranea, Castro

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

How much does Grotta Zinzulusa cost to visit?

For current ticket prices, contact the cave on +39 0836 943812.

How long does a visit to Grotta Zinzulusa take?

The guided cave visit takes about 30 minutes.

When is Grotta Zinzulusa open?

It is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.

What is Cocito in Grotta Zinzulusa?

Cocito is an enclosed pool in the terminal section, which reaches 160 metres from the entrance. Its cold freshwater surface lies above warmer, brackish water.

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