Photo: Lemone, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- Type
- Archaeological site
- Protection
- Italian national heritage
- Coordinates
- 43°46′60″ N, 7°32′08″ E
- Address
- Via dei Balzi Rossi, 9, 18039 Ventimiglia IM
About
The Balzi Rossi caves (Ligurian: baussi rossi "red rocks") in Ventimiglia comune, Liguria, Italy, is one of the most important archaeological sites of the early Upper Paleolithic in Western Europe. Constance Fenimore Woolson visited in 1880 the Cavillon cave overlooking the via Julia Augusta and presented an account, in her travel piece "At Mentone", of the discovery in the Balzi Rossi caves of a prehistoric skeleton and culture. It has been continually excavated by archaeologists for more than 150 years.
Riparo Mochi remains evidence for the earliest presence of modern humans in Europe (early Aurignacian, 35,000 years ago).
Grimaldi Man (Gravettian, c. 25,000 years)
Venus figurines of Balzi Rossi (Gravettian, c. 22,000 years)
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Balzi Rossi».
Photos
Getting there
Menton - GaravanTrain, nearest
1.5 km as the crow flies
Balzi RossiVia dei Balzi Rossi, 9, 18039 Ventimiglia IM
Terminal Croisiere10.0 km
Aéroport de Nice-Côte d'Azur29.2 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore archaeological sites in Liguria
- Free 1st Sunday
Frequently asked questions
Where is Balzi Rossi?
Balzi Rossi is in Ventimiglia, in the province of Imperia (Liguria), Italy. Address: Via dei Balzi Rossi, 9, 18039 Ventimiglia IM. GPS coordinates: 43.78333, 7.53556.
What are the opening hours of Balzi Rossi?
According to OpenStreetMap the opening hours are: Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30–19:00. Always check the official website before your visit.
How much does it cost to visit Balzi Rossi?
There is an admission charge. Up-to-date prices are on the official website.
Is Balzi Rossi wheelchair accessible?
According to OpenStreetMap data, the site is partly wheelchair accessible.
What else is there to see near Balzi Rossi?
Nearby you’ll find: Castello Voronoff (100 m away), Castel d'Appio (3.9 km away), Porta Canarda (4.4 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 9 photos
- Veduta da mentone — Lemone, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 92 phot. de Provence et de la Côte-d'Azur en 1890 par J. Jackson- Les Baux, Marseille, Saint-Remy, carrières de Sarragan, Antibes, Villefranche, Nice, Menton, Bordighera. Don du phot. en 1890. Il y a... - btv1b8553847s (87 of 92) — Jackson, James (1843-1895). Photographe, Public domain
- Album de 44 phot. de Menton et de ses environs par James Jackson, donateur. On y trouve des phot. du bâtiment de guerre américain Pensacola et de sites de Ligurie - btv1b105260339 (60 of 79) — Jackson, James (1843-1895). Photographe, Public domain
- Album de 44 phot. de Menton et de ses environs par James Jackson, donateur. On y trouve des phot. du bâtiment de guerre américain Pensacola et de sites de Ligurie - btv1b105260339 (61 of 79) — Jackson, James (1843-1895). Photographe, Public domain
- Ancienne douane de Menton — Tangopaso, Public domain
- Balzi Rossi Aerial 01 — Einaz80, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Balzi Rossi and train — Tangopaso, Public domain
- Balzi Rossi Cliffs 1 — Einaz80, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Balzi Rossi from Cap Martin — Tangopaso, Public domain
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences