The Coves in Palinuro
The wonders of the Village in Cilento, above and below sea level
The Villaggio degli Olivi is an excellent starting point for discovering one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean. When you stay at the Village in Cilento you can visit the caves and inlets that adorn the entire area of Capo Palinuro and wonders above and below sea level.
The Grotta Azzurra (Blue Cave)
The most famous cove among tourists and the easiest to reach by boat during your stay at the Village in Cilento. It’s just outside the Palinuro port and it is the most visited, thanks to the spectacular refraction of light created by the water: giving it a turquoise hue that magically creates an enchanting twinkling glow. This phenomenon is generated by the sunlight seeping inside the cove through a tunnel located approximately 8 meters below. The Blue Cave is also known for its hot springs, stalactite and stalagmite columns and alabaster formations. There are also particular limestone conformations with shapes reminiscent of dolphin heads.
The Grotta Argento (Silver Cave)
This cove gets its name from an intense silver colour reflecting on the water. The phenomenon is generated by the marine water, of such an intense blue mixed with the densest sulphurous water. The cave is in fact known for having at least two sulphur springs connected to deep rifts. Inside you can see numerous limestone, stalactite and stalagmite drapes: the limestone formations in the shape of the Virgin Mary and a finger are quite distinctive, while the limestone columns of the inner wall are very elegant.
The Grotta dei Monaci (Cave of Monks)
The suggestive stalagmite formations resemble, all together, the image of a group of monks praying, and it is the main characteristic giving this cave its name, Cove of Monks. Inside this cave, you’ll be fascinated with the curious silhouettes and you’ll experience something profound, as if you’re in a sacred temple. In addition to the stalagmite formations, there are curious marine plants, colloquially called sea tomatoes.
The Grotta Preistorica (Prehistoric Cave)
This cave is reached by going beyond the Cala del Buon Dormire, heading towards the eastern side of Capo Palinuro. The fossil sediments in the walls of the cove are a testament to the assiduous presence of the primitive man in the Mediterranean region. The most evident characteristics of this cave, therefore, are the human and animal incrustations dating back to prehistoric times.
For this reason, the Prehistoric Cave is also known by the name Grotta delle Ossa (Cave of Bones).
The Grotta del Sangue (Blood Cave)
This caves gets its name from the colour of the inner walls, accented by a red which, as it reflect onto the sea, gives the water a reddish tinge. The limestone formations inside the Blood Cave are particularly interesting: among these there is one with an astonishing shape, similar to a seashell, which is just above sea level, while another formation is reminiscent of the head of a crocodile.
The most famous cove among tourists and the easiest to reach by boat during your stay at the Village in Cilento. It’s just outside the Palinuro port and it is the most visited, thanks to the spectacular refraction of light created by the water: giving it a turquoise hue that magically creates an enchanting twinkling glow. This phenomenon is generated by the sunlight seeping inside the cove through a tunnel located approximately 8 meters below. The Blue Cave is also known for its hot springs, stalactite and stalagmite columns and alabaster formations. There are also particular limestone conformations with shapes reminiscent of dolphin heads.
The Grotta Argento (Silver Cave)
This cove gets its name from an intense silver colour reflecting on the water. The phenomenon is generated by the marine water, of such an intense blue mixed with the densest sulphurous water. The cave is in fact known for having at least two sulphur springs connected to deep rifts. Inside you can see numerous limestone, stalactite and stalagmite drapes: the limestone formations in the shape of the Virgin Mary and a finger are quite distinctive, while the limestone columns of the inner wall are very elegant.
The Grotta dei Monaci (Cave of Monks)
The suggestive stalagmite formations resemble, all together, the image of a group of monks praying, and it is the main characteristic giving this cave its name, Cove of Monks. Inside this cave, you’ll be fascinated with the curious silhouettes and you’ll experience something profound, as if you’re in a sacred temple. In addition to the stalagmite formations, there are curious marine plants, colloquially called sea tomatoes.
The Grotta Preistorica (Prehistoric Cave)
This cave is reached by going beyond the Cala del Buon Dormire, heading towards the eastern side of Capo Palinuro. The fossil sediments in the walls of the cove are a testament to the assiduous presence of the primitive man in the Mediterranean region. The most evident characteristics of this cave, therefore, are the human and animal incrustations dating back to prehistoric times.
For this reason, the Prehistoric Cave is also known by the name Grotta delle Ossa (Cave of Bones).
The Grotta del Sangue (Blood Cave)
This caves gets its name from the colour of the inner walls, accented by a red which, as it reflect onto the sea, gives the water a reddish tinge. The limestone formations inside the Blood Cave are particularly interesting: among these there is one with an astonishing shape, similar to a seashell, which is just above sea level, while another formation is reminiscent of the head of a crocodile.
