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The Volcano Solfatara - The Stufe

	The "stufe" are two ancient grottos which were excavated in the side of the mountain to create two natural "sudatoria" or sweating rooms, which were later covered in brick.  Only a few minutes spent inside the grottoes provoked heavy sweating which forced the inhalation of the intense sulfurous steam which was released through the wall.  As a result, they were considered excellent for the cure of respiratory diseases, skin disease and rheumatism.  Furthermore, the sweating was believed to have a de-toxicating and slimming effect.
A youngster spends a little time in "Purgatory"...
	The two grottos, in fact, were named "Purgatory" and "Hell", and the temperature of the sulfurous vapors feeding them reached 60 C (140 F) and 90 C (194 F) degrees respectively. Hell is on the left in this picture.  The Natural "Sudatoria" had been known since ancient times, and were one of the thermal attractions of the Phlegrean Fields.  Alum and sulfur crystals can be seen on the ceiling and walls of the entrance arches to the grottos.

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