Cave di Prun

Welcome to the Cave di Prun, an extraordinary site located on the slopes of Monte Robiago in the Valpolicella region, just a few kilometers from Negrar. What you see before you are not natural caves, but monumental subterranean…

To understand the Cave di Prun, one must first understand the geology of Scaglia Rossa. Standing inside these galleries, you can clearly see the horizontal stratification of the rock. …

The history of the Cave di Prun is, above all, a human one. Until the mid-20th century, these quarries were a primary source of employment for the men of the surrounding villages. …

The most striking visual feature of the Cave di Prun is the system of massive stone pillars left behind to support the roof of the galleries. These were not random leftovers; their placement was a sophisticated form of…

Once a massive slab of stone was detached from its layer, the challenge was moving it out of the deep galleries. The quarrymen used a specialized cart known as the 'Carga Oro.' This ancient vehicle featured a flat loading surface…

The influence of the Pietra di Prun extends far beyond the quarries themselves; it is the defining element of the Lessinia landscape. For centuries, the local 'montanari' used these slabs to build everything from humble…

The story of Prun stone has a surprising archaeological dimension. Recent excavations at the ancient Roman Villa of Negrar have revealed that this stone was already being used in the Roman period. …

As we emerge from the cool, silent depths of the Cave di Prun and look back at the hillside of Monte Robiago, I hope you carry with you a sense of the immense history and labor contained within these galleries. We have journeyed…