Cave of Wonders (Gruta de las Maravillas)

In the Cave of Wonders, disolutiva action of water, and his subsequent work as a silversmith training touching magic, have created a landscape full of suggestions and underground mysteries. Formations stalactites, stalagmites, columns, gours, coladas, pisolitos, eccentric, curtains ... a world that the persistence of water, stone and time have gone up to the human imagination, to feel the exact dimension of nature .


Scattered along a circular route, with galleries that overlap in 3 levels of different heights, surrounded by the silence of the lake water is able to propose, by the magic that soniquete persistent dripping from above as a mark compás of geologic time on earth, are the surprises to its visitors.

Tradition tells people that his discovery was a pastor, although the first historical reference to its existence dates back to 1886. In 1914 he was open to the public, being the first tourist cave in Spain. Since opening to tourism has been visited by thousands of visitors, including members of royalty, heads of state, government, politics, and has been a source of inspiration for all kinds of artists: poets, writers, filmmakers, painters and musicians.


Geological aspects

It is caused by a cavity surface-disolutiva erosive action of water on the rocks, marbles, Cerro del Castillo. It has a horizontal development in which we can distinguish three levels of galleries superimposed. The temperature is constant throughout the year and ranges between 16 and 19 degrees centigrade. The relative humidity of the air varies between 98 and nearly 100%.


The Grotto of the "Wonders", a length of 2130 meters, offers a tour of 1200 m. The vast extent of the flooded areas (water table level and the first gours), abundance and variety of speleothems and the length of its development make this a joint cavity and beautiful views.
The visit of the Hall of Shells, from which takes the first level of galleries (Brillantes, forming the spine, ...) which is characterized by the presence of water up to the Grand Chamber. From this room, the largest of the cavity, it is the Board of the Cathedral. In this 2nd level (the bath Sultana, Emerald Room and the Glass of God), there are a large number and variety of formations, as well as flooded gours. It was down to the first level to cover the Boards of Chickpeas, the Naked and again, the lake that forms the water table of the cavity, which will accompany us until the end.