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The first reference we have of the Wind Cave dates back to the 17th Century when all that was known about the cave was the presence of the air current which blew out through a narrow crevice.
Directly above this "Buco Soffiante" (Blowing Hole), a hut was built which was used as a refrigerator until the beginning of the second world war. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, a group of youths from the valley convinced a four year-old girl to climb into the opening, which was far too narrow for an adult. She did not get very far, only crawling five or six metres before turning back. The others however, curious to see this cave for themselves, widened the opening and succeeded in exploring the first 20 metres of the cave, before they too turned back, having reached a large hall, overcome by fear.
The first real expedition took place in 1932, when several speleologists from Florence advanced 70 metres, stopping in front of a siphon, where the gallery became totally submerged. The siphon was overcome in 1961 by speleologists from Bologna who were able to explore a further 600 metres.
The decisive expedition, in terms of touristic value, was undertaken by the "Lucca Speleological Group" in 1964, which explored 1110 metres of galleries.
Today, more than 4 km of tunnels have been explored, and there still remain at least thirty unexplored branches.
In 1965, the work which was necessary prior to public access was begun, and was only completed in 1982 (Third Itinerary). The First and Second Itineraries were inaugurated in 1967 and 1970 respectively.