Where is San Giovanni Cave?
Italy, europe
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Sardinia, Italy, cruising along the provincial road by the Rio Mannu river. Suddenly, BAM! You're driving into a MOUNTAIN! Well, you *used* to be able to. Now it's pedestrian-only, but get this: it's San Giovanni Cave, and there's a paved road that goes right through it! This isn't just any cave; the main bit stretches for nearly a kilometer. Add in all the expert-level areas, and you've got almost 4km of cave craziness.
So, why's there a road in a cave? Back in the day, they needed to haul materials from the nearby mines. Started building it in the late 1800s, finishing it up to connect a mining village. But hey, environmentalists stepped in, and around the 80s, they closed it to cars. Now, it's the perfect spot for a surreal, paved stroll through some seriously old limestone. It is said to be the longest cave accessible to humans.
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