SHARRYLAND
Where is
What it is and where it is
We are invited to dine with some relatives in Monaco, but we still have one last thing left to do before we cross the forntiera. Just a stone's throw from the state border with neighboring France, on the coastline that leads from Grimaldi, the last hamlet of Ventimiglia, to Menton, hides the prehistoric Grotta dei Fanciulli, in the seaside resort of Balzi Rossi. The entire archaeological site is protected and safeguarded by the Prehistoric Museum. At sunset today we return to the dawn of "Grimaldian Civilization ."
Why it is special
Already from the appearance of the rock face, made of Jurassic dolomitic limestone, we realize the primitiveness of the place, long before we enter some of the 7 caves, where during the nineteenth century, artifacts from various eras were found. In addition to animal remains, special objects known as "the Venuses of Balzi Rossi" and a very rare example of Paleolithic rock carvings in Italy depicting a horse in the Caviglione Cave, it is the 20 or so human burials that make this site exceptional that has remained hidden and, perhaps, still little known nationally.
Not to be missed
After visiting both the new and the old museum complex and observing with care and interest the exceptional finds unearthed during the research, we are ready for the most exciting part: entering the caves! I feel as happy as a child and can't sit still as the equipped path is set up. Without a doubt, the strongest thrill is to feel the sudden temperature change as soon as you enter, to be able to observe the complex stratigraphy of the rocks, to hear the amplified sound of the waves, in an almost spiritual connection with my "Grimaldian" ancestors.
A bit of history
Again it was a foreigner, a leading cultural figure who recognized the extraordinary nature of the caves: Sir Thomas Hanbury, known to most for the "Hanbury Gardens" named after him, located in the Ventimiglia hamlet of Mortola Inferiore. It was he, in fact, who in 1898 financed the construction of a museum building, namely the current old museum. Today, despite being little established nationally, the "Balzi Rossi Caves" still constitute one of the most representative monuments of the history of Man in Europe.
Enter the Map of Italy's Undiscovered Wonders and find treasures where you least expect it... Inspire, Recommend, Share...
Collections
Discover places and related research
The Map thanks:
Enter the Map of Italy's Undiscovered Wonders and find treasures where you least expect it... Inspire, Recommend, Share...
Where is
Collections
Discover places and related research
