MIdA – Musei Integrati dell’Ambiente

About the museum

The MIdA Foundation (Musei Integrati dell’Ambiente) manages the Grotte di Pertosa-Auletta complex, in the Vallo di Diano, and the museums connected with it. The caves are known for an underground river that can be navigated by boat and for traces of ancient visits at the entrance: excavations carried out between 1897 and 1907 brought to light small vessels which, according to scholars, were ritual offerings to the waters, in use between the 4th century BC and the 1st century AD.

The Museo Speleo-Archeologico (SPARCH) in Pertosa holds the finds that emerged from the excavations at the cave entrance, including a small statuette of the goddess Hera and small votive vessels from the Greco-Roman period.

The Museo del Suolo, opened on 22 April 2016, covers about 1,500 square metres indoors, with outdoor routes too, and is devoted to the processes taking place in the first three metres of soil. The sections deal with life underground, the microscopic world, with thin sections that can be observed under a microscope, and a virtual 3D journey with holographic models of small soil animals.

Highlights

• Museo del Suolo, devoted to soil processes in the first three metres
• Thin soil sections to observe under a microscope
• 3D holographic models of mites, scorpions, ants and millipedes
• Museo Speleo-Archeologico with Greco-Roman votive finds from the Grotte di Pertosa-Auletta
• Combined ticket with a guided visit to the Grotte di Pertosa-Auletta

Permanent exhibitions

• Museo del Suolo – Route through the processes taking place in the first three metres of soil, with thin sections under the microscope, videos and 3D holographic models.
• Museo Speleo-Archeologico (SPARCH) – Finds from the excavations at the cave entrance: a statuette of the goddess Hera and small votive vessels from the Greco-Roman period.

Operated by

Fondazione MIdA

Visitors per year

approx. 5,236

Admission & discounts

The price shown applies to the museum visit only (museums closed on Mondays). The Grotte Plus and Grotte Premium tickets include a guided visit to the Museo del Suolo and the Museo Speleo-Archeologico. Booking is compulsory.

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 website states that the caves are not fully accessible; no details are published for the museums. For information you can contact the foundation.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The Museo del Suolo offers activities for looking, touching and playing, ecology workshops for schools and a birthday service. Pushchairs can be used in the caves but must be folded to board the boat.

Getting there & parking

By car: from the A2 motorway take the Polla exit (from the south) or the Petina exit (from the north), then the SS 19 following the signs for the Grotte di Pertosa-Auletta; from the Basentana take the Buccino exit and the SS 19 ter towards Auletta-Polla. From the ticket office it is about 400 metres’ walk to the cave entrance.

Amenities & dining

A bar is located near the caves; restaurants, pizzerias and farm stays can be found in the surrounding area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit