Located 3km from the centre of Bellegra, the extensive length (1km approx.) and wide large rooms of the Grotte dell'Arco cave system make it one of most significant Karst hypogea in Lazio and the only example in the province of Rome. The name derives from the present entrance which is preceded by a natural archway which is actually what remains of the entryway to a partially collapsed cave. The caves were first explored in 1925 by the Circolo Speleologico of Rome while the Gruppo Speleologico Grottaferrata made a complete survey in 1966.
The caves contain stalagmites and stalactites, bats and amphibians and, even more importantly, the only examples of prehistoric cave painting, from the late Neolithic era and early Bronze and Copper Ages (4000-3000 B.C.E), in the entire Apennine range.
Roma Lazio Film Commission
Via Tuscolana 1055 — 00173 Roma
Phone: +39 06 72286273/320
Fax: +39 06 722 1127
Email: info@romalaziofilmcommission.it
