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St Michael's Cave has interested visitors
to Gibraltar ever since the Romans. The Cathedral
Cave was long believed to be bottomless, probably
giving birth to the story that Gibraltar was linked
to Africa by a subterranean passage over 15 miles
(24 Km) long under the Straits of Gibraltar. The
cave consists of an Upper Hall with 5 connecting
passages and rocks between 40ft (12.2m) and 150ft
(45.7m) to a smaller hall. Beyond this, a series
of narrow halls leads to a further succession of
chambers, reaching depths of some 250ft (62.5m)
below the entrance. |
During World War II the cave was prepared as an emergency
hospital, but was never used as such. Whilst blasting
an alternative entrance to the cave, a further series
of deeply descending chambers ending in a mini lake
were discovered and named Lower St Michael's Cave. The
Cathedral Cave is opened to visitors and makes a unique
auditorium for concerts, ballets, drama and presentations.
The unique beauty of crystalised nature can be appreciated
through a centuries old stalagmite that became too heavy
and fell on its side at the far end of the Chamber.
In 1972 a slice 18" thick (45cm) was cut, revealing
its interior structure. Its growth is clearly indicated
during periods of excessive rain by light brown rings
and patches, the dark area being formed during periods
of less rain. Two thin lines of a crumbly white substance
are thought to represent glacial periods. The stalagmite
is also translucent in some areas.
View some Quicktime
VR Panoramas of St Michael's Cave.
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