Federazione Speleologica Regionale dell'Emilia Romagna

The Federazione Speleologica Regionale dell'Emilia Romagna was founded on October 3rd 1974 and is based in the historic Cassero di Porta Lame, Piazza 7 Novembre 1944, 7 - 40122 Bologna (Tel. (0039) 51-521.133, Fax (0039) 51-521.133).

The Federation hosts the long- established (since 1953) Cave Registration Commission (Catasto Regionale), which is responsible for the cataloguing of the region's natural caves. The Cave Registry offices are located with those of the Cave Rescue team of the XII Gruppo CNSAS, in the Villa Tamba, Via della Selva Pescarola n.26, in Bologna.

At the moment the Federation includes thirteen member cave associations from different towns and centres, such as Bologna, Modena, Faenza, Reggio Emilia, Ferrara, Forlì, Glorie di Mezzano, Imola, Ravenna and Cento.

Currently the Federation's main activities relate to aspects of safeguarding the karst environment, to the registration of newly discovered caves and to the development and promotion of Speleology in all its forms.

Evaporite karst areas in the region are of special interest and the gypsum caves of Bologna are well-known throughout the world, with caves such as Spipola-Acquafredda, which extends for more than 10km. Also, Triassic evaporites crop out in Val di Secchia, which contains many interesting caves and landforms.

The Federation publishes the review, "Speleologia Emiliana".