Good Things From Italy - Le Cose Buone d'Italia

The Frasassi Caves (or Grotte di Frasassi) is one of the largest subterranean cave systems in Europe. It was discovered fairly recently, in 1971, and has been open to public from 1974. Of the 18 kilometres of underground caves that have been explored, just 1 kilometre is open to guided public tours. It's likely that the cavern system is much larger, some estimates putting it at 35 kilometres long. [...]

This group of caves [Frasassi Caves] is one of the most famous in the country. Located in the central region of Marche, the caves were reportedly first discovered in 1948, though most sources state that 1971 is when they began to be explored. They feature a series of linked chambers, one of which is a bizarre shape that feels like an endless tunnel when in fact it is one very long chamber. Today the caves are open to the public for daily visits, and they are estimated to be around 190 million years old.

This is the List of the best caves in Italy

1. Blue Grotto - Capri
2. Duino Mithraeum - Duino, Trieste
3. Ear of Dionysius - Siracusa
4. Grotta d'Ispignoli - Nuoro
5. Grotta dei cordari - Siracusa
6. Grotta del Cavallone - Lama dei Peligni, Chieti
7. Grotta dello Smeraldo - Conca de' Marini, Salerno
8. Grotta Gigante - Sgonico, Trieste
9. Grotte di Borgio Verezzi - Savona
10. Grotte di Castelcivita - Salerno
11. Grotte di Castellana - Bari
12. Neptune's Grotto - Alghero, Sassari
13. Nereo Cave - Capo caccia, Alghero, Sassari
14. Pagliacci Cave - Rodi Garganico, Foggia
15. Pastena Cave - Frosinone
16. Pertosa Caves - Muraglione, Salerno
17. Toirano Caves - Savona

After spending the morning in Senigallia we drove to the mountains. Incredible views of the hills and mountainsides, and random caves just popping up on the side of the road. Obviously we had to stop every ten minutes or so! [...]

In 1971,  team of cave scientists exploring the area around the Frasassi Gorge near Ancona, Italy, made one of the most exciting cave discoveries.

The Frasassi Caves were discovered by chance in 1970 by a speleological party. It’s one of those places everyone in Italy knows about, and with good reason.

The caves are located in the central region Marche, in the municipality of Genga, province of Ancona. They are placed amid the stunning Frasassi Gorges. [...]

Exploring the Frasassi caves, Italy's largest and most famous complex cave system

One hour from Ancona, in the Marche region, is the town of Genga; with a population of less than 2,000 people, the Gengarini are literally standing on top of one of Europe’s most spectacular sights: Grotte di Frasassi. You can easily imagine yourself to be in a Jules Verne novel as you travel through the Frasassi caves, Italy's largest and most famous complex cave system. Dating as far back as 180 million years ago and extending for 35 km, this subterranean world of calcareous rock formations first opened to the public in 1974, and visitor numbers have just passed the ten million mark; that’s an impressive average of 256,400 people each year.[...]

We’ve just spent a wonderful 10 days with Pam and Michael in their divine house in Le Marche.
We also did some local touring, exploring lively markets, lovely local towns and of course Cantine. A highlight was Urbino with its Palazzo Ducale and wonderful mediaeval atmosphere. The marquetry has to be seen to be believed.
The Frasassi Caves are the largest in Europe and can be seen on a rather tame tourist walk. This was not for us – apparently! We donned overalls, wellies, helmets with head torches and gloves, and went “off piste”.
We crawled through tunnels, slid on our backsides, swung across pristine ponds (so as not to disturb the water – would have been easier to walk through it) and sat in complete darkness, the likes of which I have never known, not even in the Australian desert. It was a real adventure and the caves are of course simply stunning. Rooms are the size of cathedrals – big ones. This was of course followed by a wonderful lunch with friends that also live in the area. [...]

Italy's most spectacular caverns are the Grotte di Frasassi in the region ofLe Marche, about 65 kilometers inland from Ancona. Stunning stalactites and stalagmites fill the rooms that can be visited on a guided tour of the caves along a well-lit pathway. More adventurous explorers can sign up for a Speleo Adventure Tour. See Visiting Frasassi Caves for information about how to tour these fantastic caverns and see a couple of photos.

There are several interesting sights near Frasassi Caves including a museum, 1th century Romanesque abbey, and the picturesque village and castle of Genga, built on a limestone hill.