A
grotto (Italian
grotta and French
grotte) is any type of natural or artificial
cave that is associated with modern, historic, or prehistoric use by humans. When it is not an artificial
garden feature, a grotto is often a small cave near water and often flooded or liable to flood at
high tide. The picturesque
Grotta Azzurra at
Capri and the grotto of the villa of
Tiberius in the
Bay of Naples are outstanding natural seashore grottoes.