Brief synthesisThe Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines (EKCNA) constitute a globally exceptional, complete, outstanding and accessible example of the phenomenon of evaporitic karst formed in gypsum and anhydrite. It unites the first and best-studied evaporitic karst areas that have played a key role in the historical understanding of gypsum karst and evolution, and contributed to the early development of speleology, mineralogy and hydrogeology. It also includes the evaporitic cave with the largest vertical drop in the world, the world’s largest surface water-formed karst cave and the largest karst salt spring in Europe. The property contains an exceptional diversity of well-documented chemical deposits and minerals associated with gypsum caves and karst. This includes the outcropping and underground karst areas, the main karst aquifers, and their recharge areas.