The most important sinkholes in Puglia are located in the Murge area, and have acquired the name of Pulì. The Palo of Altamura, that of Molfetta, the pulicchio of Toritto and that of Gravina.
In other areas of Puglia we have other interesting and deep sinkholes.
The Dolina Pozzatina is a karst sinkhole located in the municipality of San Nicandro Garganico. The sinkhole, partly privately owned, falls within the territory of the Gargano National Park. approximately 460 m above sea level. Among the many sinkholes of the Gargano, that of Pozzatina is the most impressive and spectacular. It represents a fascinating example of how nature can create extraordinary scenarios through complex geological processes. Its formation occurred following an earthquake that caused the collapse of a rocky ceiling, thus revealing an enormous cave underneath. This event transformed an area once rich in life into a unique landscape, where vegetation has found fertile ground thanks to the deposits of mud and gravel.
Today, the sinkhole is a place of great biodiversity, with centuries-old trees and lush flora that thrives in a protected environment. Water, an essential element for life, was discovered during cultivation attempts, revealing the presence of a prehistoric river hidden among the rocks. This element has made the sinkhole not only a natural work of art, but also a fertile land that man has been able to exploit over time.
Gurgo is one of the largest karst sinkholes in Puglia and is located two kilometers from the city of Andria. It is a depression in the ground created by the erosive action of water on limestone rocks, at the bottom of which there is a natural sinkhole for rainwater (hence the term “gurgo”, meaning whirlpool, vortex). Within the 800-meter perimeter of this natural ellipse there are nine caves, some of which were used in the past for religious purposes or as shelter for flocks. The caves, in addition to the numerous plant and animal species that inhabit it, make Gurgo an important natural oasis made accessible since 2009 thanks to the State Forestry Corps and the Pro Loco of Andria. Voters report that following the 2011 flood, the access roads to the sinkhole were damaged and need to be restored.
The Centopozzi Sinkhole, located in Rignano Garganico, is an important testimony to the natural and cultural history of Puglia. With an altitude that varies between 620 and 655 meters above sea level, this sinkhole is distinguished by the presence of an aquifer, which over the centuries has been exploited by man to meet the water needs of the community and livestock.
The sinkhole not only represents a significant karst phenomenon, being the second largest in Gargano, but also preserves traces of human settlements dating back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic, indicating a deep connection between man and this territory. Historical documents, including diplomas of the Catapani, attest to the importance of the sinkhole in the context of the ancient abbeys.
Today, thanks to the interventions of the Gargano National Park Authority, Centopozzi has become a popular destination for tourists and nature lovers. Its particular microclimatic conditions favor the growth of unique flora and fauna, making the area a precious ecosystem.
Even in the lower Salento the karst phenomenon is present. In Sanarica, there is a small sinkhole where every year, during the Christmas period, a living nativity scene is organized.
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