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Cala Gonone, and those of Nettuno (Neptune), near Alghero beneath the<br />
rocky promontory of Cape Caccia. The Grotte del Bue Marino (Caves of<br />
the Monk Seal) comprise two sections: the north branch, currently<br />
fossilised because of the cessation of karstic activity, and the south branch,<br />
still active and open to the public. The latter is incredibly rich in<br />
concretions, including stalactites and stalagmites of different shades which,<br />
mirrored into the many pools, give rise to coloured reflections of stunning<br />
beauty. The Grotte di Nettuno (Neptune’s Caves) can be reached either by<br />
Nettuno’s grottoes<br />
boat or through the Escala del Cabirol, a long staircase carved in 1954 into<br />
the promontory. Inside the caves is a large salty pool, 120 m long, with<br />
huge pillars rising up to the surface formed by the joining of stalactites<br />
with stalagmites. Picturesque concretions, enormous halls and mysterious<br />
tunnels, the outcome of the endless erosion of the sea into the limestone<br />
rock, complete this mighty and fascinating nook of Sardinia. The Sardinian<br />
coast typically features wetlands. Of these, 20% are uniformly distributed<br />
along the coastal areas, whereas the remaining 80% are concentrated into<br />
three main sectors: the Gulf of Oristano, the Gulf of Palmas, and the Gulf<br />
of Cagliari. The area of Cagliari is the south-eastern end point of the<br />
Campidano and is covered by swamps and lagoons over an area of 4500<br />
ha. The Laguna di Santa Gilla (Santa Gilla Lagoon) spreads into the<br />
western part of town, whereas in the eastern one are the swamps of<br />
Poetto, Molentargius, and Quartu. The most interesting naturalistic feature<br />
is the rich bird fauna (180 species in total) which populates these pools,<br />
with some rare species including the purple swamphen, the black-winged<br />
stilt, the marsh harrier and many others, let alone the well-known pink<br />
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