Top 5 Caves アルカレナでの

Definitely worth a visit. We visited another grotto during our stay, but this one was considerably larger and more impressive.

https://www.grutasmoeda.com/

Beyond the natural structure of the cave, you can also visit the Scientific-Environmental Interpretation Centre (CICA gm). Here, visitors can discover how a cave is formed and how it interacts with local biodiversity, understand the importance of limestone in our region and how it influences people's way of life. You can also admire a magnificent and unique exhibition of minerals and fossils from Portugal and many other countries. In our shop you will find a huge variety of minerals and fossils from various countries.

Algar da Cerejeira is a remarkable geological karst formation, that is, a natural cavity or vertical sinkhole. These algars are typically formed in limestone regions due to the erosive action of water, which dissolves the rock and creates underground pits or caves. Algar da Cerejeira is therefore an example of this process, offering a fascinating glimpse into the depths of the earth.

The Fórnea stream originates here, in the Cova da Velha cave, where a natural spring flows almost all year round. However, due to the limestone soil, the water easily infiltrates, traveling through underground galleries instead of flowing freely on the surface. As a result, the stunning Fórnea waterfall only reveals its full grandeur after days of heavy rain.

While this was my second visit, I've enjoyed it as much as the first one! The first gallery of this system of caves was discovered by locals in 1947. Of course people were curious and had to investigate further. What is known today is that the cave reaches 11 Kilometers in length which makes it the biggest and most important in Portugal. The formation of the cave goes back 150 million years to the middle Jurassic age when dinosaurs inhabited this region. They found traces of species who inhabited these caves, some of it on display. A part of the cave-system was opened to the public in 1974 with many improvements in safety for the visitors in later years. At one point colored lights found their way in with some spectacular and dramatic effects. My photos inside the cave are in the wrong order, not sure how to interchange them or what I've done wrong when uploading, sorry!