The Caves of Onferno: in the underground kingdom of bats

To descend into the Caves of Onferno means entering a completely different world, where time stopped millions of years ago and nature has created calcium sculptures that look like modern art. A few kilometers from Rimini, hidden in the Romagna hills, these caverns offer an underground adventure that completely changes the perspective on what the Italian subsoil can hide.

The first shock is the cold. Even if it's 35 degrees outside, the temperature inside remains a constant 12 degrees all year round. The humidity is very high and is immediately felt on the skin: that sticky sensation that makes you realize you are in an environment completely saturated with water. This is why helmets and rubber boots are mandatory and are provided at the entrance: the floor is slippery and water constantly drips from the ceiling.

The stalactites and stalagmites here have incredible shapes. Some look like columns of a Gothic cathedral, others resemble frozen stone waterfalls. The guide shines a torch on the most spectacular points, creating plays of light that make the calcareous concretions seem like living creatures. The sound of footsteps echoes, while the only other sound is the constant dripping of water that tirelessly continues its work as an underground sculptor.

But the real spectacle is the bats. The Caves of Onferno host one of the most important colonies in Italy, with several species that have found the perfect habitat here. During the visit, you can see them hanging from the ceiling, motionless like small black statues, or hear the rustle of their wings when someone disturbs them. Don't be afraid: they are completely harmless and fundamental to the cave's ecosystem.

The experience is intense and not suitable for those who suffer from claustrophobia. You walk in single file following the guide, often bending down to pass through narrow tunnels where the ceiling seems ready to crush you. But this feeling of oppression is part of the charm: you feel like an explorer in a world that few have the courage to visit.

The total darkness is an experience that many have never had. When the guide turns off all the torches for a few seconds, the blackness is so complete that you completely lose your orientation. It is a moment that makes you reflect on how accustomed we are to light and how alien this underground world is to our daily life.

Visits start from the village of Onferno, a frazione of Gemmano, and last about an hour. Booking is necessary because groups are limited so as not to disturb the bats. Bring warm clothes even in summer and don't be afraid to get wet: here underground you will discover a parallel universe that already existed when dinosaurs walked on the Earth's surface.

Photo credits: Rita Ostrovskyj - licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.