In the westernmost part of Lessinia, on the border between the provinces of Verona and Trento, lies one of the most famous karst cavities in the world, dug into the Corno d'Aquilio: the Spluga della Preta ('spluga' means 'cavity', while Preta is the name of the area). With 877 metres explored so far, it is one of the deepest caves in Italy and holds a fundamental place in the history of speleological discoveries and exploration. From the outside, you can only see the large opening. Access to the inside of the cave, which features a series of wells and rooms with vertical heights of up to a few hundred metres, is only permitted for expert speleologists with prior authorisation. A 2005 film titled L'Abisso (The Abyss) describes its structure and retraces the history of its exploration, but the Spluga hides a series of tunnels that are yet to be explored, giving this magical place in Lessinia an enduring air of mystery. For those who love caving, a short distance from the Spluga lies the Grotta del Ciabattino, a spellbinding cave known for its splendid ice formations, which are usually present until late spring.
