Description
Also known as Castelvenere den or cave, it is located on the slopes of Mount Penna. The cave has a wide opening and limestone terraces formed by the deposits of the stream that flows out of the cave itself. The Buca di Casteltendine holds multiple archaeological, speleological, historical and naturalistic interests. Its entrance is easily visited but speleological equipment is required to visit the interior.
In 1975, female and hermaphrodite bronze statuettes dating back 2,500 years were found there. These figurines date to the time of the earliest settlements in the upper Serchio Valley, an important axis of connection with other Etruscan areas north of the Apennines.
The following were also found: coins, a dagger and fragments of glass, all traces that affirm that this cave was used until the Longobard era. Undoubtedly, this cave, can definitely be considered the most important in the valley from an archaeological point of view, having also provided several finds from the Bronze Age, Etruscans and Romans. All these finds can be visited at the National Museum of Villa Guinigi in Lucca. The cave of Casteltendine is located on the CAI 111 trail of Mount Penna.
The municipality of Fabbriche di Vergemoli is also a member of the National Association of Cave Cities, established in 2010 to defend, conserve, develop and enhance the quality of the territories of the Cave Cities through services and initiatives in the field of protection, promotion and environmental and tourist information.
