The Pugnetto Caves, in the municipality of Mezzenile, are a karst complex developed in the calcschists of the Pugnetto hamlet. Among the five known cavities, Borna Maggiore stands out as the longest Italian cave in calcschist, measuring 780 meters. Discovered and documented since the 18th century, it remains a site of significant speleological and historical interest.
Site overview
In local toponymy, “Grotte di Pugnetto” (Caves of Pugnetto) refers to the set of karst phenomena developed in the calcschists present in the area of the Pugnetto hamlet, in the municipality of Mezzenile.
From a speleological point of view, the site counts 5 known cavities, the main one being the Borna Maggiore, which with its extension of 780 meters, holds the record as the longest Italian cave in calcschist. The caves have been known for a long time, and documents from the 1700s already mention the first visits by scholars from different areas of Piedmont.
The first description of the cave is credited to Count Amedè Ponsillon, who visited it in 1789 accompanied by two inhabitants of Pugnetto, but the first person to provide a complete description was Muratore in 1924. The Pugnetto Caves represent a site of great speleological and historical interest, continuing to fascinate visitors with their underground charm.
How to visit the site
The cavity is located in the Lanzo Valleys, in Val d'Ala. From Traves, follow signs for Pugnetto. A few curves before the hamlet, on the left side of the road, there is a sign indicating "Grotta della Madonna." From there, a path starts that climbs for about thirty meters and leads to the entrance. For reasons of safety and protection, the Borna Grande remains completely closed during the winter hibernation period, from November 1st to March 31st. The site is managed by the CAI of Lanzo, specifically by the Explora Speleological Group.
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