Grotta del Vento (Caves of Wind)

The Chengs inside the Grotta del Vento

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Steff                              Grotto Del Vento                                      September 23, 2006

The Grotto Del Vento is located in one of the wildest and rugged areas of the Apuan Alps Natural Park of Italy. It was called “The Wind Cave” by the locals because of the mysterious wind that came from deep inside the grotto. Before this cave was explored, the locals of La Mesta thought that the wind was the breath of a monster from in the grotto. When the spelunkers (speleologists) from different countries came to explore, they found the wind source. At the back of the tunnel there are cracks that lead to the other side of the mountain and let the wind in like an air conditioning system. So there really wasn’t a monster.

The "Spaghetti" stalactites that grow at a rate of 1 centimeter per 100 years

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In the grotto, we saw stalagmites and stalactites. Stalactites and stalagmites are icicle-like formations made out of calcium and minerals. The limestone rocks have cracks in them and rain water from up above trickles through. The water catches the calcium from the shells and bones in the limestone as it comes down. At the end of the crack, the water with calcium drips slowly out, causing a buildup of this soft rock. The youngest ones look like spaghetti strings hanging from the ceiling. The old ones look like HUGE icicles made of limestone. It takes about 100 years to grow one centimeter of this stuff and some of the stalactites are really long and thick, which means they go back millions of years. As the water drips from the stalactites to the floor underneath it, it causes a new buildup to form under the spaghetti strings. These are called a stalagmite. The way to remember the difference between stalactites and stalagmites, is that stalactites hold on tight to the ceiling, and stalagmites grow from the ground and might reach the ceiling some day.

Stalagmites inside the caves

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The cave was cold in some parts, and we had to dress warmly. Some of the walkways got so narrow and low, even I had to scoot down and tuck in. This cave was not dry. It was wet and had lakes of crystal clear water in places. Also, water was dripping down from the ceiling so you got your head a bit wet sometimes. The guide said that for a period of 10 years they brought asthmatic kids deep down in the cave for periods of times and some were completely healed of asthma. Because the air was so clear and crisp and had no pollen or dust I guess that is why it is easier to breathe in there.

The Wind Tunnel is further into the grotto and is a rounded sort of well that has a staircase all the way down to the bottom. It was neat to climb way down into the earth.

I think that it was a really neat experience to visit the Grotto Del Vento and I learnt a lot. I am glad that we went to see this special cave because it is not a common thing to do.