The caves were first explored in 1926 by the French naturalist Romolo Matteucci.
The site is home to the specialized crustacean Niphargus, a blind, colorless amphipod adapted to total darkness.
The active section of the cave features a waterfall generated by the subterranean Fosso Mastro river.
The fossil branch contains significant deposits of calcite flowstone and columns.
The cave serves as an important site for prehistoric archaeology, yielding findings from the Bronze Age.
The Caves of Pastena form a two-tier karst system in the Monti Ausoni, characterized by a fossil branch and an active river branch. The site consists of a 2,217-meter route divided into an upper dry section and a lower active section featuring subterranean water flows. The cave system is formed by the Fosso Mastro river, which resurfaces inside the karst structure. Visitors navigate a series of chambers featuring diverse stalactite and stalagmite formations. The environment maintains a constant internal temperature and high humidity throughout the year. The caves represent a critical geological site in the Lazio region for studying karst hydrogeology.
The central chamber where the subterranean river flows under the bridge provides the most dramatic perspective.
Wear a waterproof jacket as moisture levels are high and constant dripping is common.
Bring a pair of binoculars if you enjoy observing the upper reaches of the cave ceiling.
Schedule your visit for a weekday if you prefer to avoid school groups common in the region.
Avoid touching the rock formations, as oils from human skin permanently inhibit stalactite growth.
Closed on Mondays except during public holiday periods; may close briefly for safety inspections after heavy rainfall.
Non-slip walking shoes with good grip are mandatory due to damp surfaces; flash photography is strictly prohibited to protect the cave microfauna.
