Grotta del Romito
Upper Palaeolithic prehistoric site in the Pollino National Park, with a large engraving of an aurochs and burials of Homo sapiens.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Grotta del Romito, at the locality Nuppolara in the municipality of Papasidero, is one of the most important sites in southern Italy for the late Pleistocene. Cave and rock shelter open onto a narrow canyon that offered protection, near the river Lao, which was used in the Palaeolithic as a route of communication and as a source of food and raw materials. Today the two spaces seem separated by a wall built when the cavern was used as a hermitage, but originally they formed a single large living space.
The site was discovered in 1961 and the first excavations were carried out in the 1960s, linked among others to Paolo Graziosi; since 2000 research has continued with the Unit of Prehistory of the University of Florence. The occupation runs from the Gravettian to the Epigravettian, the Mesolithic and the Neolithic, in a span of about 23,000 to 10,000 years ago.
On a large boulder outside there is a graffito depicting a majestic aurochs (Bos primigenius), dated between 14,000 and 12,000 years ago, among the oldest evidence of prehistoric art in Italy. Remains of nine individuals of Homo sapiens have been found at the site; the oldest, Romito 9, dates to about 14,500 years ago. An antiquarium displays some of the finds and from there the walking route to the cave begins; a reproduction of the engraving and other material are in the Museo archeologico nazionale di Reggio Calabria.
Highlights
- Aurochs (Bos primigenius) engraving on a boulder
- Upper Palaeolithic burials of Homo sapiens
- Romito 9, about 14,500 years ago
- Cave and rock shelter in a canyon on the river Lao
- Antiquarium with finds and information point
Permanent exhibition
- Antiquarium e visita guidata alla grotta – The Antiquarium, with an information point, displays some finds from the site; from there the guided walk to the cave and the aurochs engraving begins.
- Operated by
- Comune di Papasidero
- Visitors per year
- approx. 12,000 (2022)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4pupils in school groups and accompanying teachers, if the school arrives by its own transport |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 6 · Free admission for pre-school children up to six years old, accompanied by an adult. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for visitors with disabilities. |
| Schools with shuttle (admission and shuttle) | €6Shuttle service on request for schools. |
Free admission also for residents, for university students with documented study or research needs, for official guides of the Pollino National Park and for one accredited tourist guide per group.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Antiquarium is accessible, but it is not possible to set up an accessible route to the cave for people with motor disabilities.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
From the A3 Salerno–Reggio Calabria motorway, exit at Mormanno towards Scalea; from Scalea continue towards Santa Domenica Talao, Papasidero and Mormanno. At Bivio Avena follow the signs for “Grotta del Romito”: the road leads about 4 km to the forecourt of the Antiquarium.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The visit takes place only with guides accompanying visitors. The route from the Antiquarium to the cave is necessarily on foot and takes a few minutes. For large groups and schools, booking through the Comune di Papasidero is recommended (tel. 0981 83078). |
