Discover the Sant’Angelo Muxaro Cave, a natural and historical gem of Sicily: speleology, sensory adventure, and archaeology await you!

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARCO CRUPI

The entrance to the Sant’Angelo Muxaro Cave is hidden among the lush vegetation of the Nature Reserve.

Tucked away in the rolling hills of the Agrigento province, the Sant’Angelo Muxaro Cave Nature Reserve is one of Sicily’s most fascinating and mysterious treasures. Located in the territory of Sant’Angelo Muxaro, this haven of nature, geology, and history is the perfect spot for those looking to immerse themselves in the authentic heart of the island. The reserve is not just a natural attraction; it is an open-air laboratory, offering a profound insight into the relationship between humanity, the land, and time.

The Sant’Angelo Muxaro Cave is a unique geological spectacle, formed around six million years ago during the Messinian period when the Mediterranean basin experienced intense evaporation. The evaporite rocks that make up the cave, including selenite gypsum, are a valuable geological archive, ideal for studying both past and present water circulation, as well as the speleogenesis typical of gypsum formations.

This subterranean environment is one of the few remaining records of Sicily’s complex geological history, making it a site of significant scientific and natural interest.

The interior of the Sant’Angelo Muxaro Cave, known locally as ‘Grotta Ciavuli,’ reveals a unique landscape of rocks shaped by time, creating an atmosphere that evokes the core of the earth.

Also known as “Grotta Ciavuli“, due to the colony of jackdaws living there, the Sant’Angelo Cave stands out for its fascinating and intricate structure. It features a network of galleries and chambers, some of which are still active, with underground streams forming small waterfalls and siphon pools.

The karst formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and columns, create a rare and beautiful visual spectacle. Exploring the cave reveals the delicate balance between water and rock, a process that has sculpted its interior over millennia.

Life inside the cave reveals itself in subtle forms that are essential to the ecosystem. Vegetation mainly consists of mosses, liverworts, and algae, which thrive thanks to the constant humidity. The fauna is equally intriguing: besides the jackdaws that lend the cave its name, pigeons and various species of bats can be found, with bats being the true stars of the underground biodiversity.

A visit to Sant’Angelo Cave is more than just an excursion—it’s a unique sensory adventure. The cave offers an introduction to the world of speleology, accessible to both children and adults.

The route allows visitors to use all their senses to explore this environment: touch, as you feel the smooth surfaces of the rocks; smell, as you catch the mineral scents of the damp earth; hearing, as you follow the sound of the flowing water; and sight, as your eyes adjust to the darkness illuminated by the timeless forms carved by nature. It’s an experience that reconnects you to the natural rhythm of life, paced only by the heartbeat of the earth.

Visits to the cave, both guided and speleological, must be authorized by the Managing Authority. Speleological tours are particularly reserved for small groups and require booking at least three days in advance.

Contact information for bookings:

• Phone: +39 0922 919669
• Mobile: +39 320 6589900, +39 320 6589901, +39 320 6589902

The Sant’Angelo Cave is not just a natural site-it also holds evidence of an ancient past. The nearby Colle di Sant’Angelo is home to a prehistoric necropolis, an important archaeological site that offers a glimpse into the lives and traditions of ancient Sicilian populations. The chamber tombs carved into the rock represent a deep connection between the cave and human history, making the visit a culturally enriching experience.

The reserve is managed by Legambiente Sicily, an organization committed to environmental protection and promoting scientific research. Conservation activities include ecosystem monitoring, environmental education, and raising visitor awareness of the importance of protecting this fragile natural balance.

The Sant’Angelo Muxaro Cave Nature Reserve is easy to reach:

• From Agrigento, follow the SS118 road for about 30 km.
• From Palermo, the journey takes about 2 hours by car, offering a scenic drive through Sicily’s charming hills.