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Onferno's Natural Reserve rises just in the heart of Valconca, in the lovely resort of Gemmano, and is situated a short distance from the Montefeltro area. From Cattolica, it is possible to reach Onferno passing through San Giovanni in Marignano and Morciano di Romagna and heading to Gemmano.
The 130-hectare-wide protected territory of the Reserve gathers gullies, woods, the sandy cliffs of Ripa della Morte and the karstic area surrounding the famous caves of Onferno, fascinating caves which have been hollowed out by the river water for many centuries.
The ancient parish church of St. Colomba is home to the Visitor Centre and the Multimedia Naturalistic Museum, the latter displaying interesting interactive projects which promote responsible behaviour towards nature. The caves can be visited under the supervision of skilled guides in groups of up to 15 people. Because of the cold inner temperature (12-14°C), it is adviced to wear warm clothes in summer too. The itinerary begins at an height of 290 metres and develops as an evocative 70-metre underground walk.
These fascinating and mysterious caves boast smooth rocky walls and calcareous soils, giant stalactites, canyons, underground passages, narrow tunnels and impressive salt formations which have developed all over the centuries.
Besides illustrating the peculiarities of these caves, skilled guides provide useful information on the over 4,000 bat specimen belonging to six different species which populate them.
The lush footpaths of the Natural Reserve give the lovers of open-air holidays the possibility to experience a closer touch with nature while crossing the thick copse gathering hazel trees, cornel trees, privets, crown vetches and lush climbing plants, such as St. John's rose, or to explore the rougher Ripa della Morte, which in spring is carpeted with plenty of Spanish brooms. Apart from bats, the Natural Reserve provides habitat for roe deers, porcupines, moles and further wild animals, as well as for rare species of birds, such as larks, quails, cuckoos, pheasants, blackbirds, nightingales, blackcaps, hen harriers, kestrels, buzzards, barn owls, tawny owls and little owls.
Opening hours: October-March, every Sunday from 15:30; April-Mid June, every Saturday and Sunday from 15:30; Mid June-Mid September, every day from 11:00
The 130-hectare-wide protected territory of the Reserve gathers gullies, woods, the sandy cliffs of Ripa della Morte and the karstic area surrounding the famous caves of Onferno, fascinating caves which have been hollowed out by the river water for many centuries.
The ancient parish church of St. Colomba is home to the Visitor Centre and the Multimedia Naturalistic Museum, the latter displaying interesting interactive projects which promote responsible behaviour towards nature. The caves can be visited under the supervision of skilled guides in groups of up to 15 people. Because of the cold inner temperature (12-14°C), it is adviced to wear warm clothes in summer too. The itinerary begins at an height of 290 metres and develops as an evocative 70-metre underground walk.
These fascinating and mysterious caves boast smooth rocky walls and calcareous soils, giant stalactites, canyons, underground passages, narrow tunnels and impressive salt formations which have developed all over the centuries.
Besides illustrating the peculiarities of these caves, skilled guides provide useful information on the over 4,000 bat specimen belonging to six different species which populate them.
The lush footpaths of the Natural Reserve give the lovers of open-air holidays the possibility to experience a closer touch with nature while crossing the thick copse gathering hazel trees, cornel trees, privets, crown vetches and lush climbing plants, such as St. John's rose, or to explore the rougher Ripa della Morte, which in spring is carpeted with plenty of Spanish brooms. Apart from bats, the Natural Reserve provides habitat for roe deers, porcupines, moles and further wild animals, as well as for rare species of birds, such as larks, quails, cuckoos, pheasants, blackbirds, nightingales, blackcaps, hen harriers, kestrels, buzzards, barn owls, tawny owls and little owls.
Opening hours: October-March, every Sunday from 15:30; April-Mid June, every Saturday and Sunday from 15:30; Mid June-Mid September, every day from 11:00
Onferno's Caves and Naturalistic Museum
Via Castello 83 - 47855 Onferno (RN) - Tel. and Fax: 0541 984694
grotte.onferno@libero.it - www.grottedionferno.com
