These caves inhabited since the Bronze Age were abandoned when steam began to pour into them, possibly as a result of a landslide. They were once again occupied in Greek times. In the 4C, a monk, San Calogero, noted the therapeutic virtues of the vapours and set about dividing the caves into rooms with stone benches on which to seat his patients. As a result, the caves soon became known as the Stufe di San Calogero.