Xerri's Grotto

Xerri's Grotto is a cave in Xagħra, Gozo, Malta. It was discovered by local resident Anthony Xerri in 1923^[1] or 1924^[2] while digging a well under a private house. Xerri's Grotto is not far from another underground feature, Ninu's Cave, which was discovered in 1888 in a similar fashion, when a well was being dug under a private house.

Quick Facts Location, Coordinates ...

Xerri's Grotto
Entrance to Xerri's Grotto
Location	Xagħra, Gozo, Malta
Coordinates	36°03′04.5″N 14°15′40.9″E / 36.051250; 14.261361][[Category:Pages using gadget WikiMiniAtlas]]"},"html":"Coordinates: </templatestyles>\"}' data-mw='{\"name\":\"templatestyles\",\"attrs\":{\"src\":\"Module:Coordinates/styles.css\"},\"body\":{\"extsrc\":\"\"}}'/>36°03′04.5″N 14°15′40.9″E / 36.051250°N 14.261361°E / 36.051250; 14.261361"}">
Discovery	1923 or 1924
Access	Open to the public
Lighting	Electric

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The grotto is larger than Ninu's Cave. It contains various calcified formations, including stalactites and stalagmites, some of which resemble a tortoise, a vulture, giraffes or elephant's ears. Some other formations which developed as a result of the calcification of tree roots can also be seen.^[3]

The entrance to the cave is down a 10m spiral staircase, built into the original well shaft. The cave was extended during World War II, when the family used it as an air raid shelter.^[2]

Today, the cave is illuminated by electric lights, and is open to the public with tours being given by the owners of the house.