Discover Genga: Caves, Trails and History

Genga combines impressive caves, trails through the Frasassi gorge, nature along the Sentino River and a multifaceted history. If you are looking for a place with a variety of experiences for your trip to Italy, here you can combine underground formations, challenging hiking sections, historical connections and museums.

Cave World and Active Experiences

The Grotte di Frasassi complex features magnificent stalactites, enormous stalagmites and flowing crystal formations. The caves can be experienced not only along a tourist route. Speleo Avventura Azzurro includes short climbing sections, crawling passages, narrow passages and slides. This tour lasts approximately two hours and requires a reservation.

Speleo Avventura Rosso is even more focused on physical challenge. This route includes the 30-metre-deep “Falconara well”, a 30-metre-long section traversed on hands and knees, and a 10-metre-long ascent through a slippery tunnel. The speleological visitor service of the Frasassi network was introduced in December 1993. Visitors are accompanied by two experienced cave guides and provided by the operator with a suit, helmet and boots.

Hiking Between Gorge, Forest and Hamlets

The Sentiero dell'Aquila is an approximately 7 km circular trail along the peaks on the northern side of the Gola di Frasassi. At six rest areas, ten panels provide information about flora, fauna, geology, and historical and architectural features. The trail connects the hamlets of Pierosara, Cerqueto, Rosenga and Vallemania, combining a landscape experience with regional history.

For a shorter nature trail, the Greenway del fiume Sentino is a good option. The approximately 1 km educational trail begins in the district of San Vittore and leads through the wooded area along the Sentino River. Explanatory panels focus on the local flora and fauna. The Sentiero del Foro degli Occhialoni near Pierosara, on the other hand, leads to two openings overlooking the gorge. The initially easy trail becomes steeper and more difficult as it continues.

The history of the trails also goes back a long way: since the 10th century, part of the Sentiero dell'Aquila connected the area around San Vittore delle Chiuse and the Castaldato of Castel Petroso, today’s Pierosara, with the Castello di Genga, passing through Rosenga and Vallemania. The area of the Grotte di Genga and Frasassi can be reached from Ancona by car via the SS76 in approximately one hour.

Museums and Religious Testimonies

The Museo Speleopaleontologico e Archeologico was established to preserve an ichthyosaur fossil found in 1976 in Camponocecchio, within the municipality of Genga. The Museo di Genga – Arte, storia e territorio houses restored works of art that were previously kept in the historic Church of San Clemente.

Another historical destination is the Eremo Santa Maria Infra Saxa, also known as the Santuario della Madonna di Frasassi. It has been documented since 1029 and was later used as a cloistered convent run by Benedictine nuns. On the tourist route of the Grotte di Frasassi, access for visitors with reduced mobility extends to the beginning of the second chamber, the “Room 200”.

More Destinations

Torrette, Serra Deʼ Conti, Camerano, Monsano, Marzocca, San Paolo Di Jesi, Cerquete and Rustico

For the higher-level travel overview: Ancona.