Guided Tours

Guided Underground Tour of Ancona

Descend into the world of Ancona’s fascinating historic water supply on this guided underground tour.

Highlights

Explore the underground landscape of Ancona with speleologists as you learn about the city’s ancient aquifers and galleries.
See a hidden tank at Fontana del Calamo, and head to Piazza Stamira to gear up for your descent into the concealed cisterns.
Explore the hydraulic instruments from waterfalls to wells and valves in this network of tunnels, stretching 3km from the port to Viale della Vittoria.
Fun fact: Legend has it that drinking from the Fontana del Calamo, also known as the 'Fountain of the Thirteen Cannelle', will ensure that you return to the city someday.

Inclusions

1.5-hr speleological guided tour
Italian-speaking guide
Equipment for descent into the Cistern of Piazza Stamira
Accident and civil liability insurance

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Your Experience

The Watery Underbelly of Ancona

Welcome to the Ancona underground experience, where you will explore a large network of tunnels, cisterns, reservoirs, and water conduits under the city, and marvel at its stellar engineering. This is one of the most unique yet underrated journeys you will undertake. To enable people to learn about and experience firsthand the history of the city's water supply, the search for some of these abandoned spaces started in 1984.

A Speleological Perspective & Your Descent

To start, meet with speleologists at Fontana del Calamo and head towards the hidden tanks. Here, from a public viewing area, you will get to learn about the hydraulic systems and the story of the rediscovery of the Ancona Underground tunnels.

Later, at the Piazza Stamira, the speleologist will help you with the equipment, boots, and helmet that you need for your descent into the 4000-square-meter-wide hidden cistern. Here, besides seeing wells, waterfalls, tunnels, and more, your guide will tell you an interesting story about how Ancona’s underground was readapted for public use.

Know Before You Go

Important Information

It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for high humidity.
Please note that this tour is only available in Italian.
Before starting the activity, each participant is required to read and accept the 'General conditions for membership and participation in the visit' as indicated by the organizers.
This activity is suitable for guests whose psycho-physical conditions can guarantee their safety, that of the other members of the group, and their companions.
Please note that the activity could be canceled, even suddenly, due to prohibitive or dangerous environmental conditions within the venue.

Restrictions

Participants must be over the age of 13 with a shoe size greater than 38.
This tour is not accessible for people with reduced mobility, and those who suffer from claustrophobia.
The following is not allowed on this tour: Pets.

Timings

Sun: 9:30am onwards

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.