This is not one of the most recent trips I took, but it was waiting to be published, because of the amazing site this cave provide.
Some fun facts about this natural wonder are: 1. It's one of the "7 Natural Wonders of Portugal"
2. It's classified as a realty of Public Interest
3. It's classified as Realty of Touristic Interest 4. It was declared RAMSAR sight in 2006 due to the importance of the water bed existing on the underground
Before we get into the further description, we should take a look at some photos to set the mood. Since it was really dark, the photos have an abstract undertone, which perfectly compliments the feelings I had walking in this beauty: grandiose, mysterious and breathtakingly majestic.
Here is the description from the visitors guide offered at the entrance: "The cave maintains an internal stable temperature of 17°C all year round. This warm and moist air would go up the pit cave and, as it made contact with the cold air outside during winter, it would turn into a mist. Based an this phenomenon, 4 inhabitants of the village decided to unblock the caves entrance and to step into the unknown to look for water on July 27th 1947.
It was only opened to the public on August 11th 1974. Its total length is over 11.500 meters, and the touristic area is around 600 meters. During the tour one descents to 110 meters deep regarding the entrance, going down 683 steps. The lowest point of the cave is located over 230 meters deep.
The touristic area of the cave has more than 3000 lamps.
The exit of the cave is made by 2 lifts, each carrying 33 persons at a time.
During the tour one can see 2 of the 3 stages of limestone caves, the fossil cave on the upper level and the semi active cave near the final lake. Below the water level, the cave is still active and new galleries can be created by water even today. The limestone inside of the cave has been formed 150 million years ago."
