Top 20 Caves 캄파니아

A brief explanation of the patronage of 'MARY OF THE SNOW', which visitors don't encounter very often: This takes us far back in church history to the fourth/fifth century, and geographically to Rome. On August 5, 363, the so-called "miracle of the snow" occurred at the site where the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore now stands. That is to say, on that day, in the middle of summer, snow lay there in the morning because the Virgin Mary wished to have a church dedicated to her built on that spot. She conveyed this wish in a vision to a wealthy couple – who subsequently initiated and financed the construction – and to the Bishop of Rome, who at that time was Pope Liberius. The Roman church holds the rank of a patriarchal basilica (papal basilica) and is the origin of all churches and chapels with this patronage. In the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church, August 5th, the feast day of the church's consecration (in the year 432 by Pope Sixtus III), is an optional memorial. Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome was the focus of international attention last year because Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday 2025, had chosen this church as his final resting place.

In the off-season (end of October) I was even able to get a guided tour at 2pm without booking in advance.

Descent towards the Minerva cave

Near the tower, in a crack in the ground, you can go down to the Grotta di Minerva or delle Sirene, where it is said that Partenope found refuge here when she was far from the island of Li Galli. The reflection of the sea, together with the reflections of light that penetrate from its openings, amplify the mystical aura of the place. Climbing routes are traced on the external walls of the cave overlooking the sea. The descent to the cave is not suitable for everyone, spurs of rock, slippery in places, force you to hold on to ropes set up for sections of mountaineering difficulty. Along the rocky wall of descent it is said that a rock epigraph was carved in the Oscan language that mentions the names of those who worked on the landing in the 2nd century BC.

Near the tower, in a crack in the ground, you can go down to the Grotta di Minerva or delle Sirene, where it is said that Partenope found refuge here when she was far from the island of Li Galli. The reflection of the sea, together with the reflections of light that penetrate from its openings, amplify the mystical aura of the place. Climbing routes are traced on the external walls of the cave overlooking the sea. The descent to the cave is not suitable for everyone, spurs of rock, slippery in places, force you to hold on to ropes set up for sections of mountaineering difficulty. Along the rocky wall of descent it is said that a rock epigraph was carved in the Oscan language that mentions the names of those who worked on the landing in the 2nd century BC.

Long, steep stairs lead down

Underground Naples is a parallel city born together with the current city and extends under the entire historic center at a depth of over 40 metres. The Official and Authorized route of Napoli Sotterranea starts from Piazza San Gaetano 68, on Via dei Tribunali next to the Basilica of San Paolo Maggiore.

Here is the info on the Vallivona Affondator: https://www.archeotrekking.net/it/scheda_singola/188-l-affondamento-di-vallivona.html