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You arrive at the Equi caves from Equi Terme, an old spa village in the Apuan Alps. Inside the park, you can enter one of the three cavities - la Buca, le Grotte or la Tecchia; or follow the Solco di Equi trail along a natural canyon with insect-eating plants, to find a small burial cave called Tana della Volpe, or the fox’s den; or step back in time in the reconstruction, inside the archaeological park, of everyday prehistoric life and find out what life was like for our long-lost forefathers; in addition, it is also possible to take part in experimental archaeological activities.
Buca and Grotte di Equi
The itinerary starts at the Buca or hole, which was already known in the 1700s. The path leads up to a terrace overlooking a vertical drop cleaved into the mountain, where various species of birds, including the golden eagle, build their nests. Then it continues into a labyrinth of rooms, galleries and passageways with fossil formations. From the Buca you can access a cavity that is still in formation, le Grotte, or the caves, adorned with stalactites, stalagmites and all sorts of natural formations. There is also a “potholing part”, currently not open to the public, rich in karstic elements. Only animal remains, and no human traces, have been found inside the cave, as they have probably been taken away by the waters of the underground springs. At present, the internal walkway that links the Grotte to the Tecchia is currently being completed. The outside path is steep with a verti- cal drop into the Fagli brook. It is dangerous and we recommend that you do not follow it.
Tecchia di Equi
An ancient shelter for men and animals: objects and animal remains tell the story of this cave, which started 40,000 years ago and continued until the Middle Ages. Archaeological re- search at the beginning of the 1900s brought to light stone and bone objects that belonged to Neanderthal hunters and not just skeletons of wolves, foxes and marmots, but also of animals that are not to be found in the area’s fauna today, such as the ursus speleus (cave bear), lion and leopard. Instead, evidence of funeral rites and burials from the Copper Age tell us that the cave was used later as a burial ground. Teaching activities are organized on nature, history and archaeology. Please respect the visiting rules.
Opening times
From July to September: Sat- urday and Sunday 10.30am- 7.00pm; from Monday to Fri- day 10.30am-12.30pm and 2.30pm-7.00pm. Open at night on the days around 15th August. The caves are open in May and June, but we recommend that you phone the Comune di Fivizzano tourist office for in- formation on opening times. The caves can be visited from October to April, but only upon reservation.
Guided tours
In Italian, English, German, French and Dutch. Included in the ticket price. For school children and re- served parties only: guided
tour of the cave museum too.
Useful Information
We recommend that you wear suitable clothing (comfortable, sports shoes).
How to get there
From Aulla and Fivizzano: take the “del Cerreto” SS 63 road, at Cormezzano follow the Garfagnana SR 445 road to Gragnola, then carry on towards Equi Terme. A15 Parma-La Spezia motorway, Aulla exit, then take the “del Cerreto” SS 63 road, at Cormezzano follow the Garfagnana SR 445 road to Gragnola, then carry on towards Equi Terme. From Castelnuovo di Garfagnana: SR 445 road (for around 42 km), then turn left onto the SP 10 road in the direction of Equi Terme. Train: Equi Terme railway station, Aulla-Lucca line. Bus: Massa Carrara CAT bus service, Aulla - Fivizzano, route no. 33, 10 trips per day.
The Surrounding Area
Centro di educazione ambien- tale, environment education centre in Vinca (MS); Centro per la conservazione della biodiver- sità, biodiversity conservation centre in Frignoli di Sassalbo (MS); Codiponte Romanesque parochial churches (MS), Casola Lunigiana (MS), parochial church of San Lorenzo, Minucciano (LU); the Equi spas (MS); Museo delle
Stele stone steles museum in Pi- agnaro castle, Pontremoli (MS).
Buca and Grotte di Equi
The itinerary starts at the Buca or hole, which was already known in the 1700s. The path leads up to a terrace overlooking a vertical drop cleaved into the mountain, where various species of birds, including the golden eagle, build their nests. Then it continues into a labyrinth of rooms, galleries and passageways with fossil formations. From the Buca you can access a cavity that is still in formation, le Grotte, or the caves, adorned with stalactites, stalagmites and all sorts of natural formations. There is also a “potholing part”, currently not open to the public, rich in karstic elements. Only animal remains, and no human traces, have been found inside the cave, as they have probably been taken away by the waters of the underground springs. At present, the internal walkway that links the Grotte to the Tecchia is currently being completed. The outside path is steep with a verti- cal drop into the Fagli brook. It is dangerous and we recommend that you do not follow it.
Tecchia di Equi
An ancient shelter for men and animals: objects and animal remains tell the story of this cave, which started 40,000 years ago and continued until the Middle Ages. Archaeological re- search at the beginning of the 1900s brought to light stone and bone objects that belonged to Neanderthal hunters and not just skeletons of wolves, foxes and marmots, but also of animals that are not to be found in the area’s fauna today, such as the ursus speleus (cave bear), lion and leopard. Instead, evidence of funeral rites and burials from the Copper Age tell us that the cave was used later as a burial ground. Teaching activities are organized on nature, history and archaeology. Please respect the visiting rules.
Opening times
From July to September: Sat- urday and Sunday 10.30am- 7.00pm; from Monday to Fri- day 10.30am-12.30pm and 2.30pm-7.00pm. Open at night on the days around 15th August. The caves are open in May and June, but we recommend that you phone the Comune di Fivizzano tourist office for in- formation on opening times. The caves can be visited from October to April, but only upon reservation.
Guided tours
In Italian, English, German, French and Dutch. Included in the ticket price. For school children and re- served parties only: guided
tour of the cave museum too.
Useful Information
We recommend that you wear suitable clothing (comfortable, sports shoes).
How to get there
From Aulla and Fivizzano: take the “del Cerreto” SS 63 road, at Cormezzano follow the Garfagnana SR 445 road to Gragnola, then carry on towards Equi Terme. A15 Parma-La Spezia motorway, Aulla exit, then take the “del Cerreto” SS 63 road, at Cormezzano follow the Garfagnana SR 445 road to Gragnola, then carry on towards Equi Terme. From Castelnuovo di Garfagnana: SR 445 road (for around 42 km), then turn left onto the SP 10 road in the direction of Equi Terme. Train: Equi Terme railway station, Aulla-Lucca line. Bus: Massa Carrara CAT bus service, Aulla - Fivizzano, route no. 33, 10 trips per day.
The Surrounding Area
Centro di educazione ambien- tale, environment education centre in Vinca (MS); Centro per la conservazione della biodiver- sità, biodiversity conservation centre in Frignoli di Sassalbo (MS); Codiponte Romanesque parochial churches (MS), Casola Lunigiana (MS), parochial church of San Lorenzo, Minucciano (LU); the Equi spas (MS); Museo delle
Stele stone steles museum in Pi- agnaro castle, Pontremoli (MS).
