Overview
A natural temple shaped by the winds and waters
The Emerald Grotto is a unique natural spectacle that was only discovered in 1932 by fisherman Luigi Buonocore. Through an underwater fissure, light filters into the cave, which turns the water an emerald colour, almost like a bioluminescent phenomenon. The site is named after this interplay of light and water, although the real wonder remains the structure of the grotto itself. For centuries, the seas and winds have shaped the walls of the grotto, which, over time, has taken on the shape of a dome. Stalagmites and stalactites, almost like bas-reliefs, form columns, making the whole area even more impressive and spectacular.
In addition to its beauty, the site is also an important centre of biodiversity and is home to several rare species. This combination of phenomena gives the Emerald Grotto an almost sacred aura, so much so that in 1956, a ceramic nativity scene was placed on the seabed that you can still admire today.
