In the Vasto Valley, within the municipality of L’Aquila, in the hamlet called Assergi and therefore not far from S. Pietro della Jenca, lies “Grotta a Male.” In ancient times, it was called “Grotta Amare,” which in the dialect of L’Aquila means ‘difficult’ or “inaccessible.” This karst cave is the largest known cave in the Gran Sasso Massif and is considered the first in Italy to be explored in the speleological sense of the term. The explorer was Francesco de Marchi, on August 20, 1573, the day after his ascent of Corno Grande del Gran Sasso. In the 20th century, the cave was the subject of numerous archaeological excavations that brought to light stratigraphies and finds dating back to the Neolithic, Eneolithic, and Bronze Ages. Various studies have shown that in prehistoric times it was used as a place of worship and burial, and later as a furnace for metalworking.
The cave extends for a total length of approximately 480 meters and reaches a maximum depth of -84 meters. It is equipped with lighting and a path that winds its way through stalactites and stalagmites, passing through numerous rooms, including the initial Sala del Tronco (Trunk Room), from which various tunnels lead to the Sala dei Colossi (Hall of the Colossi) and the Ramo delle Pannocchie e dei Laghi (Branch of the Corncobs and Lakes), where there is an active spring. Another tunnel leads to the Sala dell’Organo (Organ Room), so called because of the sound produced by the water, and to the Sala della Croce (Cross Room), so called because of a cross engraved on the walls by De Marchi during his exploration, which continues to the Sala De Marchi, where a flooded siphon can be seen. The internal temperature is around 12°C, while the relative humidity is over 90%. The water temperature is between 8 and 9°C.
