Alvados Caves

Category: Nature > Caves

District: Leiria > Porto de Mós > Alvados > Casas dos Riscos

Location:

The Alvados Caves are located in the village of Alvados, municipality of Porto de Mós, within the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park. This site is situated in a landscape characteristic of the Estremadura limestone massif, marked by low-lying vegetation and dry stone walls. The entrance to the caves is at an altitude of 440 meters, providing a transitional environment between the surface and the underground world.

The Geological Essence:

The Alvados Caves stand out for their natural and harmonious presentation. Inside, rich galleries and singularly beautiful lakes, formed over millions of years, are revealed. The subterranean route is characterized by a corridor format and by "algares" (sinkholes) of unusual height, which leads to these caves being considered among the most characteristic in the Iberian Peninsula. The formations of stalagmites and stalactites, columns, and small natural lakes, often uneven, create a striking scenery, with the delicacy of their "oolitic" formations highlighting the particularity of the subsoil in this region.

The Subterranean History:

The Alvados Caves complex is composed of two parts: the "old cave", known for about four hundred years and used by shepherds as a shelter, and the "new cave", which corresponds to the currently visitable route. The discovery of the "new cave" occurred by chance in 1964, when quarry workers from Serra dos Candeeiros heard the sound of stones falling into a sinkhole that proved to be very deep. This fortuitous discovery led to a first descent with ropes and lanterns, which unveiled a natural world previously unknown. In the years following the discovery, tunnels and stairs were built, facilitating exploration and eventual opening to the public in 1973, allowing the uniqueness of this natural monument to be shared.

The Interior Route:

The visitable route inside the Alvados Caves extends for 350 meters. The maximum width between chambers reaches about 40 meters, and the interior height can reach 95 meters, with a total drop of 100 meters from the entrance. Circulation is via various levels, ramps, and flights of stairs, revealing successive chambers adorned with stalagmites and stalactites that sometimes take on shapes reminiscent of imaginary elements. Discreet lighting enhances the natural colours and transparencies of the calcareous formations, and natural ventilation maintains a stable interior temperature between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt