Grotte di Castelcivita (Castelcivita Caves) |
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Grotte di Spartaco | |
Entrance to the caves
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Location of the caves in Italy
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Location |
Castelcivita (SA, Campania, Italy) |
Coordinates | 40°29′44″N 15°12′32″E / 40.49556°N 15.20889°ECoordinates: 40°29′44″N 15°12′32″E / 40.49556°N 15.20889°E |
Length | 5,000 m |
Elevation | 94 m |
Geology | Karst cave |
Entrances | 1 |
Access | Public |
Show cave length | 1,700 m |
Website | Official website |
The Castelcivita Caves (Italian: Grotte di Castelcivita) are a remarkable karst cave system located in the municipality of Castelcivita (and partially in Controne), in the province of Salerno, Campania. They are some remarkable show caves of Italy and the most ones, along with Pertosa, of their province.
Their second name, Spartacus Caves; is due to a popular fact (not verified) telling that the Roman gladiator used the caves as a shelter during its march from Brundisium to the final battle of Silarus river, this one close to the town of Castelcivita.
Situated in an area near Calore lucano river and close to the western side of the Alburni mountains, they are 3 km far from Castelcivita and 3 from Controne, and close to a zone named Ponte Paestum (i.e. Paestum Bridge). The length of touristic area is of 1.7 km and the total extension of the voids is of 3 km.