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Putignano is a splendid village not far from Alberobello.
Famous above all for its Carnival, this small Apulian village hides some little gems waiting to be discovered.
The Trullo Grotto stands out for its beauty, second only (in terms of size and number of visitors) to the Castellana Caves.
The Putignano Cave (another name by which it is known), despite its small size, is among the most evocative karst cavities in all of Puglia.
Discovered way back in 1931, it has its own unique characteristics. It is, in fact, the first karst cavity used for tourist purposes in Puglia and, above all, it is the only one to be kept under a real trullo!
From here, in fact, a spiral staircase allows you to descend into the earth’s cavity for more than 12 metres.
The Grotto, despite being quite small, has a truly incredible quantity of stalactites and stalagmites, making it, in fact, among the most evocative places in the area.
HOW TO GET TO THE TRULLO GROTTO
The cave is located about 1500 meters away from the historic center and Plebiscito Square. If you don’t have any particular difficulties you can easily get there on foot in about 20 minutes, following a large part of Via Turi. Alternatively, you can use bus 905 getting off at the nearby Via De Miccolis (Grotte) stop.
Anyone arriving by car will simply have to follow the signs for Putignano. Outside there is a free parking area for a maximum of 3 consecutive days! During the Putignano Carnival period, parking is subject to a fee.
The cave is perfectly signposted.
PATH
The Trullo that houses the Grotto has been specifically used as an information office. Here you can get all the suggestions regarding the route and the visit.
From the trullo, a spiral staircase with handrail allows you to descend over 12 meters and a total of 45 steps. Unfortunately, the place is not accessible to people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users.
As soon as you get off, a path on walkways allows you to admire all the beauties of the place. The guided tour (available in different languages) lasts approximately 40 minutes.
OPENING HOURS AND TICKETS
The Trullo Grotto is open all year round with the following times:
– from June to September, from 09:00 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 18:30.
– from October to May, from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 17:00.
The standard ticket costs €7. Reduced from 6 to 14 years, €4. Free for children under 6 years old.
Small dogs are allowed. For large dogs, 3 special boxes with a front grate that can be closed with a padlock are available at the entrance.
ADVICE
In the cave you reach 20 meters below the ground, which is why it is preferable to bring a sweatshirt or jacket with you in summer and warm clothing in winter. You walk for at least 40 minutes and it is more than preferable to wear comfortable shoes.