CAVES OF ONFERNO
The Onferno Oriented Nature Reserve is located in the Province of Rimini, in the hills of the Valconca hinterland, in view of the Adriatic coast and the Republic of San Marino.
It is characterized by peace and total immersion in nature, offering serenity and well-being.
The karst complex of the Onferno Caves, known since the nineteenth century, is considered among the most important in Italy among the gypsum caves.
From the clay slopes of Monte Croce descend two small rii that, reached the chalky cliff of Onferno, converge and begin to flow for a short underground stretch.
The waters resurface a little further downstream, inside a densely wooded gorge.
The cave develops along the whole hypogeal stretch of the watercourse at the base of the large and unique chalky boulder on which once stood the "Castrum Inferni".
Onferno or Inferno?
The first is the current name, given to the country in 1810 by the Bishop of Rimini, who did not like to have in his territory a country whose name had such a clear reference to demons and Hell; the second is the ancient (from the Latin infernum: low and dark place) given to the inhabitants of the place, who believed that the entrance of the cave was nothing but the entrance to Hell.
Among the main activities, there were the extraction and firing of chalk, which lasted until the fifties of the last century.
On the top of the cliff, where once stood the castle, today remains a small village in a beautiful panoramic position on the reserve and the surrounding territories: to the north you can recognize the unmistakable profile of San Marino, further east the sea.
The Onferno Cave was first explored in 1916 by Lodovico Quarina, who described its morphologies and concretions.
The cave has a development of about 400 m. with a height difference of 64 m., one of its characteristics is represented by the presence of conspicuous colonies of bats.
It is home to the most important bat colony in the region
It is characterized by peace and total immersion in nature, offering serenity and well-being.
The karst complex of the Onferno Caves, known since the nineteenth century, is considered among the most important in Italy among the gypsum caves.
From the clay slopes of Monte Croce descend two small rii that, reached the chalky cliff of Onferno, converge and begin to flow for a short underground stretch.
The waters resurface a little further downstream, inside a densely wooded gorge.
The cave develops along the whole hypogeal stretch of the watercourse at the base of the large and unique chalky boulder on which once stood the "Castrum Inferni".
Onferno or Inferno?
The first is the current name, given to the country in 1810 by the Bishop of Rimini, who did not like to have in his territory a country whose name had such a clear reference to demons and Hell; the second is the ancient (from the Latin infernum: low and dark place) given to the inhabitants of the place, who believed that the entrance of the cave was nothing but the entrance to Hell.
Among the main activities, there were the extraction and firing of chalk, which lasted until the fifties of the last century.
On the top of the cliff, where once stood the castle, today remains a small village in a beautiful panoramic position on the reserve and the surrounding territories: to the north you can recognize the unmistakable profile of San Marino, further east the sea.
The Onferno Cave was first explored in 1916 by Lodovico Quarina, who described its morphologies and concretions.
The cave has a development of about 400 m. with a height difference of 64 m., one of its characteristics is represented by the presence of conspicuous colonies of bats.
It is home to the most important bat colony in the region
It is home to the most important colony of bats in the region, more than 8000 individuals, with seven different species of which six of community interest.
In particular, the miniotter is considered endangered throughout Europe.
The territory of the Reserve has very peculiar characteristics, the flora, typical of higher altitudes, grows in this place due to the presence and influence of the Caves themselves, which have a constant temperature throughout the year of about 12/13 degrees.
The headquarters of the Nature Reserve is in the ancient Pieve di Santa Colomba, now restored and used as a Visitor Center and Naturalistic Museum.
The Onferno Nature Reserve is part of the network of protected areas of the Emilia-Romagna Region,
At the RNO in Onferno, there are: the Visitor Centre, the Naturalistic Museum, the Botanical Garden and a Multimedia Room for large-screen screenings.
The activities are managed by the non-profit association La Nottola Aps-Asd, which deals with the promotion, enhancement and defense of nature through environmental education and outdoor sports activities.
Many AGTI caves have reopened or are about to reopen, in strict compliance with the rules due to the health emergency.
To know schedules, access and book visits you must contact the caves directly. Find references on www.grotteturistiche.it.
Duration: about 90' - Recommended comfortable clothing, hiking shoes or boots with sole
tasselled, a light waterproof jacket (inside the cave the temperature is about
12-13 series C). The helmet with lighting is supplied.
Meeting point: Onferno Nature Reserve Visitor Centre
Via Provinciale Onferno, 50 - Onferno Castle, Gemmano (RN)