The Su Mannau Cave is a karst system of great speleological interest, offering numerous research opportunities for professionals in the field. Beyond the tourist route, the cave includes fossil passages, submerged siphons, and areas of high geological value. The speleological map highlights non-accessible zones, which are crucial for scientific exploration and documentation.
The geotriton is an endemic amphibian that inhabits underground environments. This species is adapted to humid places. It is recognized by its elongated body, moist skin, and small size, which allows it to move easily in tight spaces.
An endemic crustacean of the region, Stenasellus nuragicus is a species of isopod that lives exclusively in caves. It has an elongated, white, pigmentless body, perfectly adapted to life in the dark, where it feeds on decaying organic matter.
This bat, one of the largest cave-dwelling species, is known for its characteristic horseshoe-shaped structure on its nose. It mainly flies at night and feeds on flying insects. It plays an important role in the cave ecosystem.
Collembola, also known as springtails, are tiny insects that inhabit the moist substrates of caves. They move quickly thanks to a spring-like structure on their body and play an important role as decomposers of decaying organic matter, contributing to the underground ecosystem.
The Su Mannau Cave was first explored in 1930 by Paolo Rodriguez, who mapped its first branches.
Since then, many speleologists and research groups have discovered new passages and formations.
Inside the cave, visitors can admire extraordinary calcite formations with colorful concretions that reveal the presence of minerals like iron, manganese, copper, and zinc. The hues are due to the oxidation of these minerals.
The temperature inside the cave remains constant throughout the year, averaging around 16°C, while the water is about 12°C. This stable climate is ideal for the preservation of calcite formations and the fauna that inhabit the cave.
The cave hosts rare species like geotriton, Stenasellus nuragicus, and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum.
Among invertebrates: collembola, isopods, and speleomantes, all adapted to underground life.
The explorations that began in the 1930s opened the doors to an extraordinary underground world. Thanks to the work of expert speleologists, over 8 kilometers of tunnels, monumental chambers, and underground rivers have been mapped, making Su Mannau one of the most fascinating karst systems in Sardinia.
In 1930, Paolo Rodriguez was the first to explore the left branch of the cave, now known as the Rodriguez Chamber.
In 1978, the Speleo Club of Cagliari carried out an expedition inside the cave, staying for 540 hours and contributing to the mapping and understanding of the underground system.
In the 1980s, thanks to the efforts of the Gruppo Grotte Fluminese, the Archaeological Chamber was protected from illegal excavations through the installation of a fence, preserving important historical artifacts.
The legend of the Su Mannau Caves tells of ancient secrets and magical creatures inhabiting the underground voids, blending myth and nature into a fascinating mystery.
Don’t miss the chance to experience an unforgettable journey through stalactites, stalagmites, and breathtaking underground landscapes!
