Why go
The cavern combines a natural lighting effect with traces of Roman use. Its brilliance is produced by the relationship between rock, water and sunlight, rather than a coloured surface. Knowing this makes the contrast between the bright water and dark interior the central thing to observe.
The full story
The Blue Grotto receives light through two openings near its entrance. The smaller opening crosses the waterline and admits the boats; a much larger opening lies below it. Sunlight passing through the seawater illuminates the cavern from beneath, making the water appear brighter than the air above it. The small entrance can dazzle the eye, which helps conceal the shape of the underwater opening. Roman sculptures representing Neptune and tritons have been recovered from the grotto. Along with remains of an ancient landing place, they suggest a cavern furnished and used in antiquity. Its association with Tiberius belongs to that Roman context, although the precise use of the cave remains less certain. The nearby landing place also gave it the name Gradola.
Useful to know
- Check sea conditions before committing to the grotto; its low entrance makes access sensitive to waves.