"Hell in the cave" – experience Dante’s Inferno first hand

The most exciting and famous part of the “Divine Comedy” of Dante Alighieri, can be experienced in real life while in Apulia. “Dante’s Inferno” was the inspiration for initiating a unique event, called “Hell in the cave.” The setting couldn’t be more suitable for a show like this. It takes place in Grotte di Castellana, a 90-million-year-old cave, 60 meters under the earth.

The cave is a miracle of nature consisting  of fossils, canyons, stalagmites, stalactites and concretions. It was discovered in 1938 and shortly afterwards made accessible to the public. Since then, the Grotte di Castellana had more than 50 million visitors from all over the world and became a natural heritage of major importance. 

Grotte di Castellana

Piazzale Anelli, 70013 Castellana Grotte

The incredible view and mystic atmosphere were the inspiration for recreating Dante’s inferno. The “Divine Comedy” is one of the most important pieces in world literature and has created the foundation for the written Italian language.

"Hell in the cave" takes place throughout the entire year. It is an impressive spectacle uniting acting, sound, lightshows, singing and athletic shows. The audience also gets integrated by the actors, who surprise and scare them from different angles. "Hell in the cave" is definitely not recommended for the faint-hearted. The creator and actress Giusy Frallondaro herself says: “We don’t explain hell to you, we make you live in it.” To get a first impression check out the official trailer:

Tickets cost 21,50 Euro and can be booked online. 

If the event seems a bit too scary for you and you feel like being more interested in the natural wonder of Grotte di Castellana itself, you can also book a guided tour though the caves. There are two different options: the partial tour, which takes about one hour and costs 12 Euro, and the complete tour, which takes about 3 hours for 16 Euro. 

Whether you are daring enough to experience the "Hell in the Cave" or just fancy visiting the Castellana Cave for its stunning environment – it will definitely be a visit to remember.