By Lyn Funnell
While staying in Majorca at the Hotel Bonsol, we decided to visit the Cuevas del Drach.
We’d been there several years ago and thought they were fascinating. So we took our daughter and granddaughter to see them.
I was surprised to discover that they’re privately owned.
The limestone caves formed during the Miocene period, around 5.3-11 million years ago. The stalagmites and stalagtites grow between 0.2 and 1.6mm per year, or 1cm every 100 years as water drips onto them.
During the Middle Ages the caves were already known. They were first documented in 1338 and began to be visited in the 18th Century.
There are caves all over Majorca, but the Cuevas del Drach are the most famous.
Actually there are four interlinked caves; Black Cave, White Cave, Cave of Luis Salvador, and Cave of the French. New parts of the caves are being discovered all the time.
We joined the massive queue, but we didn’t have to wait for long. The queue moved very fast.
The caves were cleverly lit, and not at all slippery underfoot. There was a lot of staff and they kept everyone moving along at a sensible pace. The paths are easy to walk along.
It’s absolutely wonderful what Mother Nature achieves! Every shape formed is totally unique and different to every other shape.
We kept pointing out shapes and creatures formed out of the rock, but why is it that they never look like the original creatures in our photos?
After descending into a huge natural amphitheatre which seats over 800 people, we sat down in front of Lake Martel and gradually everyone went quiet.
Lake Martel is one of the largest underground lakes in the world.
The lights dimmed and the lake was lit up. Then we heard classical music, gradually getting louder and nearer and nearer. A boat appeared from the left with four musicians and a conductor in it. The gentle music echoed in the cave and we all sat in complete silence, utterly spellbound.
We were listening to classical music played on a boat on a lake, deep underground!
It stopped in front of us and the musicians played for about 10 minutes. Then the boat was rowed away and the music faded, leaving us all wanting more.
Absolutely wonderful. But one thing spoilt it, which wasn’t a problem the last time we came; it was announced that no photos were allowed. But a lot of idiots ignored it, and the staff had to keep walking around, shouting at people, NO PHOTOS!
Our daughter and granddaughter were enthralled, and so were we. Every time you go to a place like the Cuevas, there are new sights to see.
We went with Lemon Tours. The coach trip included entry to the Caves. For 50 euros each we thought it was worth it. Granddaughter Isabella was half price.
We stayed in the Hotel Bonsol
Paseo de Illetas 30
E 07181 Illetas
Mallorca
Espana
Tel 34-971 402 111
www.hotelbonsol.es
bonsol@hotelbonsol.es
