Uncover the hidden face of Ancona, a city full of secrets waiting to be explored. While many visitors flock to the beaches, the true magic of this ancient port city lies beneath your feet. Join us for a fascinating 90-minute journey into the 'Ancona Sotterranea' (Ancona Underground), a complex web of ancient tunnels, cisterns, and hydraulic systems that reveal the city's incredible engineering history.
Your adventure begins at the iconic Fontana del Calamo near Piazza Roma. Here, you will meet our expert speleologists who have spent decades mapping and restoring these forgotten spaces. After a safety briefing, you will explore the hidden reservoir located right behind the fountain. This space has been carefully adapted for public access and serves as the perfect setting to learn the history of Ancona's water supply and the thrilling process of rediscovering these subterranean corridors.
Next, we head to Piazza Stamira. Prepare for a true exploration experience: you will be equipped with a professional speleologist's helmet and boots before descending through a manhole into the depths of the city. You will find yourself in a vast 4,000-square-meter cistern, a silent, mysterious world hidden just below the bustling street level. Guided by experts who know every corner, you will witness mesmerizing water features, ancient valves, and intricate tunnels. You will learn how these experts tamed the water levels to make these historical treasures accessible to the public today.
This is more than just a tour; it is a rare opportunity to see a side of Ancona that most locals never even witness. Whether you are a history buff, an engineering enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique adventure, this underground tour offers a perspective on the city that you cannot find anywhere else. Don't miss out on this captivating journey into the heart of Ancona's history.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes as the underground environment can be damp and uneven.
The temperature underground is cooler than on the surface, so bringing a light jacket is recommended even in summer.
Book in advance, as group sizes are kept small to ensure a high-quality experience with our expert speleologists.
Choosing this tour means opting for an authentic, expert-led exploration rather than a standard sightseeing walk. Unlike generic city tours, this experience grants you privileged access to restricted underground zones meticulously maintained by local speleologists. By joining this activity, you are directly supporting the preservation and study of Ancona’s subterranean heritage. It is a rare, immersive, and educational adventure that takes you far from the typical tourist trail, offering a profound understanding of how this city has managed its most precious resource—water—throughout the centuries.
The tour is accessible to most people in good health. You will need to descend a ladder/stairs to enter the cistern, but no advanced speleological skills are required.
We provide all necessary safety gear, including protective helmets and boots, to ensure you can explore the underground spaces safely and comfortably.
