The caves, discovered by a group of Anconaspeleologists led by Giancarlo Cappanera on 25 September 1971,[2] are situated 7 kilometres (4 miles) south of Genga, near the civil parish of San Vittore and the Genga-San Vittore railway station (Rome-Ancona line).
The Frasassi cave system includes a number of named chambers, including the following:
Grotta delle Nottole, or "Cave of the Bats", named for the large colony of bats that lives within.[3]
Grotta Grande del Vento, or "Great Cave of the Wind", discovered in 1971, with approximately 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) of passageways.[3]
Abisso Ancona, or "Ancona Abyss", a huge space around 180 x 120 meters wide and near 200m tall.[3]
Sala delle Candeline, or "Room of the Candles", named for its plentiful stalagmites that resemble candles.[3]
Sala dell'Infinito, or "Room of the Infinite", a tall chamber with massive speleothem columns supporting the roof.[3]
"Organ pipes"
Water well
Scientific experiments
The cave has been used to conduct experiments in chronobiology. Among the cavers that have spent considerable amount of time inside the cave is the Italian sociologist Maurizio Montalbini, who died in 2009.[citation needed]
Sister caves
Frasassi is partnered with several sister caves[4] around the world:
^ abcdefScheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980). Natural Wonders of the World. United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. p. 149. ISBN0-89577-087-3.
