Moeda Caves

Category: Nature > Caves

District: Leiria > Batalha > Moita do Martinho

Location

The Grutas da Moeda (Moeda Caves) are situated in Moita do Martinho, a village in the municipality of Batalha. Nestled in a natural setting of mountainous and wooded landscape, the caves are a short distance from the city of Fátima, serving as a reference point for those visiting the central region of Portugal.

An Unexpected Discovery

The history of the Grutas da Moeda began in 1971 with a casual discovery. Two hunters, while chasing a fox, came across a sinkhole in the ground. Curiosity led them to explore the interior, revealing a series of limestone formations. This first area became known as the "Shepherd's Room". Over the following months, the hunters continued to uncover new galleries and passages, which today form part of the visitable route, with subsequent support from geologists and technicians for their preservation and adaptation.

The Underground Scenery

Inside the caves, the visiting route extends for about 350 meters, reaching a depth of 45 meters below the entrance level. The temperature remains constant at around 18ºC throughout the year. The beauty of the place lies in the diversity of clay materials and calcites that sculpt the walls, creating a rich palette of colours and shapes. The galleries and chambers evoke images that inspired their names, such as the "Nativity Scene Room", the "Waterfall", the "Red Dome", the "Maritime Room" or the "Fountain of Tears", where transparent water forms subterranean lakes of great beauty.

The Naming Legend

The name "Grutas da Moeda" (Coin Caves) has its roots in an ancient local legend. Tradition tells that a wealthy man was assaulted near the sinkhole. During the attack, the man and his bag of coins fell into the cave. The coins scattered into the depths of the earth, lost forever and giving rise to the name that still identifies this unique place today.

A Look at Geology

A visit to the Grutas da Moeda also offers the opportunity to deepen knowledge about the formation of karst landscapes. A scientific-environmental interpretation centre adjacent to the cave allows visitors to understand the geological processes that gave rise to these subterranean formations. The centre also displays a variety of fossils and minerals, complementing the cave discovery experience and revealing more about the Estremadura Limestone Massif, where the caves are located.

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