The Maona Cave in Montecatini Terme

The story of the discovery of the Maona Cave brings back some of its magic... the discovery of something that could have remained buried forever.

In 1860, following a landslide caused by the explosion of a nearby mine, the Maona Cave magically emerged. Before then, its existence was unknown. It is incredible to think how close it was to the city center, just 1 km from Montecatini Terme.

To date, the Cave is the only one in Italy to be equipped with two wells, one for entry and one for exit. The internal path, which is almost 300 meters long, follows a circular path, proceeding along several levels of height.

Visit to the Maona Cave

Most modern visitors have described the Maona Cave guides as knowledgeable and competent, able to make them imagine and live a truly unique experience. The birth and formation of stalactites and stalagmites are described in detail, leaving nothing out. The power of nature is revealed before the astonished eyes of the tourists, who can do nothing but admire it.

The underground paths created by the water have made it much easier to study the nature of the cave and its original formation, providing very important clues for the experts. We know that this incredible landscape is much older than its discovery and that it has continued to expand over the years.

The entire visit lasts no more than an hour and is always accompanied by a guide who explains and describes the cave and its history. The itinerary is easy to follow, so it is possible to take young children, who will be fascinated by the guide's story and the unique landscapes created by the stalactites and stalagmites.

In the surrounding area, there is a large natural park that collects other attractions and points of interest. For example, not far from the Maona Cave, there is another small natural cave, a cave in which it is possible to visit an ancient gunpowder deposit.

Built more than 100 years ago, the depot still bears the marks of war and those dark years. Its sight, so unusual considering the surrounding landscape, reminds us how aggressive and ruthless the human presence was in that period. It is essential to preserve and take care of these natural beauties, because they are not only reminders of the past but also our heritage, showing us how incredible nature itself is.