Grotta Zinzulusa is a natural wonder located along the Salento coast, between Castro and Santa Cesarea Terme. Renowned for its fascinating karst formations, the cave owes its name to the dialect of Salento, where “zinzuli” means “rags”. The stalactites hanging from the ceiling, in fact, take the form of hanging cloth flaps, creating a suggestive and fairy-tale atmosphere.
In addition to the singular concretions, the Grotta Zinzulusa is a rich historical and natural heritagecustodian, which is why it is one of the most visited caves in Italy. An unforgettable experience for lovers of nature, speleology and history.
h2>General information
The access to the Grotta Zinzulusa is only possible on foot from Piazzale Zinzulusa. The guided tours inside the cave are conducted exclusively by specialist guides and they last about 30 minutes, allowing a complete immersion in the atmosphere of the place. The 150-metre route allows you to admire stalactites and stalagmites with bizarre shapes and discover legends and curiosities thanks to highly trained guides.
We recommend wearing comfortable, non-slip shoes.
The formation of the Grotta Zinzulusa
The Grotta Zinzulusa is the result of a thousand-year work sculpted by marine erosion during the Pliocene. This fascinating cavity, divided into three distinct sections, takes us on a journey through time and the wonders of geology.
Crossing the threshold of the cave, we are in the first section, where an incredible variety of stalactites and stalagmites creates a fairy-tale atmosphere. Admiring these limestone concretions, illuminated by light games, it is easy to imagine fantastic creatures and surreal landscapes. But the show is not over: here we are waiting for the “Conca“, a underground lake where sweet and salty water meet, Creating a striking mix of colors and reflections.
Continuing our path, in the second section of the cave, we enter an environment that takes us back in time, to Cretacico. Here the less compact rock tells the story of incessant erosion caused by inland waters. Stalactites and stalagmites become rarer, leaving room for more bizarre forms.
In the last section of the cave, the “Cocito” welcomes us with its crystal clear waters. A particular lake, composed of two distinct layers: an upper one cooler and sweeter, a lower one warmer and salty. This body of water, surrounded by suggestive concretions, represents the grand finale of an unforgettable experience, a real natural masterpiece that leaves you breathless.
The legend
Like many places in the Salento, the Grotta Zinzulusa has a bizarre legend. It is said that once, in the area of the Grotta Zinzulusa, lived a Baron of Castro, a man with a cold heart and a miserly soul. He had immense wealth, but his greed made him accumulate more and more, even neglecting his own daughter. The child, dressed only in wretched rags, lived a sad and loveless existence, marked by the cruelty of her father and the absence of her mother, who died because of his mistreatment.
One day, a compassionate fairy saw the suffering of the child and decided to help her. With a magical gesture he gave her a splendid dress, tearing up the old and worn one she was wearing. The rags, carried by the wind, flew away and lay on the walls of the cave, petrifying forever. From that moment, the cave was named “Zinzulusa”, in memory of those rags turned into rock.
But the fairy did not stop there. Indignant at the Baron’s cruelty, she punished him by throwing him into the depths of the waters beneath the cave. Where his body fell, the abyss of hell opened up, giving birth to the lake known as “Cocito”. According to legend, the crustaceans who witnessed this terrifying scene were forever blinded by horror.
The story, however, also has a happy ending. The young woman, thanks to the intervention of the fairy and her goodness, not only escaped from misery and suffering, but also found love and happiness. She married a rich and kind prince, who finally made her happy and gave her the comfortable life she had always deserved.
Opening hours and prices Grotta Zinzulusa
The opening hours for the Grotta Zinzulusa vary according to the period. Guided tours depart every 45 minutes:
- from July 1st to August 31st from 11:00 to 18:30 – Friday and Sunday also at 9:30 and 10:15
- in September from 11:00 to 17:00
- from 1 October to 1 April from 10:15 to 14:45
- from 2 April to 30 June from 10.15 to 17.
For updated timetables we recommend you to consult the official website of the Grotta della Zinzulusa.
The ticket prices also vary:
- Full ticket: 6 euros
- Reduced ticket (under 11 years): 3 euros
- Online pre-sale: 1 euro (excluding commissions)
- Special reductions for groups (minimum 30 people)
Tickets can be purchased on site or on the official website.
Where it is and how to get there
The Grotta Zinzulusa is located in Puglia, precisely in Castro Marina, in Salento, about 15 km from Santa Cesarea Terme and 20 km from Otranto, along the picturesque Adriatic coast.
To get to the Grotta Zinzulusa from Lecce you have to take the SS16 southbound towards Castro.
You can also get there by sea , by private boat or excursions from the marina of Castro.
