🏞️ Top 10 most beautiful caves in the world
Travelers know that the beauty of this world is impeccable in all its manifestations. But not everyone will dare to go down underground, where, according to legend, dragons lived. And not everyone is ready to find themselves in a confined space, where pillars of pointed stalactites hang overhead. Caves are a beautiful and frightening world, separated from us by strong stone walls. But where do they come from?
Cave formation begins when acid rain (a mixture of water and carbon dioxide) penetrates the ground. When they reach limestone or dolomite, a chemical reaction occurs and voids are formed underground. The space becomes larger – and water flowing through it creates an underground river. The rock is destroyed and a cave appears. Each is unique and deserves attention. We have collected the top of the most beautiful of them.
Mammoth Cave, USA, Kentucky
This cave system was formed about 10 million years ago. Mammoths have nothing to do with these places. It got this name because of its scale. The length of the explored part of 676 km makes the cave the longest in the world. And every year, thanks to the diligence of speleologists, this figure is growing.
The system consists of five tiers of voids in the form of huge halls intertwined with numerous limestone passages. In some rooms you can see columns of stalactites and stalagmites. In others there are frozen waterfalls and petrified lace of sinter formations under the arches. Thanks to the huge passages, the inland Lake Lethe and the rivers Styx and Echo appeared here.
Indians buried their leaders in caves 6 thousand years ago. And at the beginning of the 19th century, Americans mined saltpeter here. Mammoth Cave National Park opened in 1941.
Now you can take a tour to see with your own eyes the beauty that nature has created underground for millions of years. But it lasts about 6 hours. A more extreme option is also available. True, you will have to wade through dirty narrow tunnels and dusty mines.
Waitomo Caves, New Zealand
The Waitomo Caves complex is visited by about 100 people per hour daily. Just count how much that is per year! And the main reason for its popularity is the colonies of fireflies. Their ability to luminesce bathes the cave in a turquoise light. And silk threads of nests created by insects hang from the ceiling like garlands.
This network of caves is already 2 million years old. And until the water left, it was part of the sea landscape.
And now there are excursions on all three levels. They start on the boat from the very bottom, where the fireflies live. And then the journey through the cave turns into a walk through the other two.
Trained staff, using an automated system, constantly monitors the temperature and amount of carbon dioxide necessary for the life of the local fauna.
Fingal's Cave, Scotland
This sea cave is located on the uninhabited island of Staffa in Scotland. The island of volcanic origin attracts with its multifaceted basalt columns. The shape, size and arched vault gave Fingal's Cave excellent acoustics, as if in a temple. Only instead of a choir, the wind and the sound of waves “perform” here, producing heartbreaking sounds.
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When the cave was discovered in 1772, it became an integral part of local folklore and world culture. Its very name is associated with James Macpherson’s book “Fingal,” which means “white stranger.” And the German composer Felix Mendelssohn, inspired by a visit to the cave, wrote a concert overture of the same name.
Pak Ou Caves, Laos
You can only get to the Laotian attraction by boat on the Mekong River. Despite this, the path to the caves is quite simple – you just need to climb the stairs. The first thing you see when you get under the vaults are thousands of Buddha figurines made of different materials, all kinds of sizes and methods of execution. Once upon a time, believers left them here. But the place no longer attracts pilgrims. Now it is more of a stopping point for tourists.
Marble Cathedral, Argentina /Chile
On the border between Argentina and Chile there is a lake that the Argentines call Lago Buenos Aires, and the Chileans call Lago General Carrera. For thousands of years, the lake's waves have worn away the rock formation. And finally they created a work of art known as the “Marble Cathedral”. This is a natural network of grottoes, tunnels and caves located in the rock. They got their name because of their color and texture, similar to marble. But in fact it is limestone.
It is not possible to climb into the very depths of the cave, surrounded by clear turquoise water. But in those moments when the water in the lake becomes less, previously invisible tunnels and passages open up to the eye.
Son Doong, Vietnam
The cave of impressive size was discovered at the end of the last century. It claims to be the most voluminous in the world.
Shondong translated means “mountain river”. And for good reason, because it was the river flowing inside that contributed to the formation of a unique ecosystem. In places where sunlight penetrates and water is available, forests teeming with life have grown. In them you can find rhinoceros birds, monkeys and flying foxes. Well, and snakes, of course.
The cave has its own highlights. For example, the largest stalagmite known in the world, which reaches a height of 70 meters. Or pebbles formed in walls stratified by water and resembling a scattering of pearls. Of course, they have no material value, but they are very interesting for scientists.
Inside the cave there is high humidity and cool air. If a flow of warm air masses gets there, then underground clouds form – an amazing sight!
Please note that to get to Shondong you need good physical fitness. First you need to go through the river and the jungle, and then go down 80 meters. Therefore, you won’t see crowds of tourists here.
Blue Grotto, Italy
Once upon a time, sailors avoided this place, considering it the abode of all kinds of evil spirits. But a lot of time has passed since then and tourists specially come to the island of Capri to admire the grotto.
You can get inside by boat through a small opening in the cave wall. To do this, you will have to at least bend down, or better yet, lie down. Through the same opening, the sun's rays penetrate into the grotto – and the water begins to glow bright blue from the inside.
Swimming is prohibited here, but that doesn’t stop everyone.
Cave of Crystals, Mexico
In 1910, mining companies discovered selenite deposits in the Cave of Swords. But they were relatively small in size due to the low temperature. However, in the 2000s, another cave was found right under this deposit, in which the size of the minerals reached a colossal size of 12 meters.
The humidity in it was almost 100% and the temperature reached 60 degrees Celsius. This makes exploring the cave difficult. Even scientists in protective suits can stay inside for no more than 45 minutes.
But it was precisely the temperature that lasted for half a million years that contributed to the growth of giant crystals of gypsum brought by groundwater.