St. Michaels Cave

"With nearly a million visitors a year, St. Michael’s Cave is one of the most popular attractions in Gibraltar, having fascinated guests since Roman times"

It is situated some 300 metres above sea level and is arguably one of the most spectacular natural grottoes in Europe. Reputed to be bottomless, or linked to Africa by a subterranean passage over 15 miles (24 Km) long under the Strait of Gibraltar, the cave has been the subject of myths and stories throughout the centuries.

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.

The Cathedral Cave is opened to visitors all year round and makes a unique auditorium for concerts, ballets, drama and yearly Son et Lumière shows. The unique beauty of crystalised nature can be appreciated through a centuries old stalagmite that was too heavy and fell on its side at the far end of the chamber 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.

Whilst blasting an alternative entrance to the cave in 1942, in order to prepare it for use as an emergency hospital during the Second World War, a further series of deeply descending chambers ending in a mini lake were discovered and named Lower St. Michael's Cave. The cave consists of a series of deeply descending chambers including one containing a small lake.

There are organised tours to Lower St. Michael´s Cave available to the general public. The tour normally lasts around three hours, however due to the fact that there is some scrambling and minor climbing with ropes involved, duration times may vary. The cave is totally in its original natural state (although it is fully lit). This cave could be referred to as a show cave as most known formations may be found here. One of the sites visited during this tour is the beautiful underground lake and fortunately for the visitor, photography is permitted. People are advised to wear sturdy shoes and casual clothing. Group sizes range from a maximum of ten and a minimum of five. Due to the nature of this tour, children under the age 10 years are not allowed. Three days prior notice is also necessary for booking via the Tourist Office in Gibraltar.

BOXING ROOM CHAMBER - This is a two section chamber navigated using ropes with a steep drop to the entrance of the lower section.
DOVE CHAMBER - This is the start of an impressive series of chambers extending in an almost straight line for 210 metres. Here we see the first signs of accumulated water.
FAULTED PASSAGE - A relatively wide passage within which the direction and angle of major faulting of the bed rock can be seen.
ABOVE BOTTOMLESS PIT - The Bottomless Pit runs deep below this point. It is tunnel that extends back to the Hall of Fame Chamber.
CATHERDRAL CHMABER 1 - Some of the really impressive rock features become apparent here both in shape and size.
CATHEDRAL CHAMBER 2 - A huge formation resembling church organ pipes has to be passed before descending to a small pond.
THE LAKE - This stunning chamber containing a lake of crystal clear water and superb rock formations is visited by many of the more adventurous tourists who visit Gibraltar. There is a narrow ledge around the lake which provides access to Palm Tree Chamber.

Guided tours of Lower St. Michael’s cave can be booked by calling the Gibraltar Tourist Office on (9567) 74950.
Tours are priced £5 per head and need to be booked three days in advance.
Times: Weekdays: 6.00pm onwards Saturdays: 2.30pm onwards Sundays: With prior appointment.
Contacts: Mr. Tito Vallejo: Tel: 71871 (Home) Tel: 55745 (Work) Mobile: 56639000, Mr. Dale Vallejo: Tel: 54231000 (Mobile), Mr. Mario Balloqui: Tel: 50021 (Home) Tel: 78105 (Work) Mobile: 54004160.
Upper St. Michael’s Cave is open all year round and entry does not need to be booked in advance, regular rock tours include entry to Upper St. Michael’s cave.