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Santa Margherita di Pula, Sardinia
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Underground Lakes in Alghero's Neptune Caves |
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Walk through Neptune's Caves near Alghero, on the west coast of the Italian island of Sardinia. See its internal salt lake and marvel at the ancient stalactites and rock cupola. |
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 Read more about Monia and her Sardinia Travel guides
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Neptune's Caves, one of Alghero's best known attractions, are hidden inside the famous Capo Caccia limestone cliffs, home until recently to a colony of Monarch Seals.
Reachable by taking one of the many boat trips which leave from Alghero's tourist port during the summer, the voyage takes about an hour. The boat follows the Coral Riviera to Porto Conte Bay and passes the small island of Forada near to the entrance of the caves, a rocky, inhospitable place inhabited only by seagulls and the wind, not even accessible to the smallest boats.
Since 1954 you can also reach the cave without setting foot in the water by climbing down the steps called the 'escala del cabirol' or 'deer steps' that cling to the cliff face. A rapid descent (and much slower ascent, especially in summer) of 654 steps take you down to the entrance of the cave.
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Here you can see stalactites, stalagmites, tunnels and vaults created over many thousands of years by the incessant rhythm of the tides. There is even an internal lake with its own beaches.Only part of the caves is accessible to visitors, the rest is open only to specialists and researchers. There are three main rooms, all rich with calcareous deposits that create a intricate network of light and shade on the walls. The guided route takes you along steps and tunnels until you reach the shores of the salt lake where you can see the waterline marks on the walls created by the tides.
In the centre of one of the caverns you will find the 'Organ', a cascade of columns that are reminiscent of an organ's musical reeds. Further along the route you come to the 'Dome', where the smooth walls and roof are like standing under a church cupola. Climb up to a viewing area called the 'Musical Platform' to look down on the lake and the twisted forms of the ancient stalactites. This natural terrace was given this names as in the past a small orchestra would sometimes play concerts here.
Text and photo of Isola Foradada by Monia Melis
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