The underground world | Cave exploring

The Mira De Aire Caves is a must see on any trip to Portugal - I can honestly say that I had an amazing experience on this tour.

There are so many elements of this tour that make it worth seeing, but the fact that they can all be crammed into one day is truly amazing - Basically, the Caves of Mira de Aire, with 11 kilometers long, of which only 600 meters are visitable, are situated in the middle of central Portugal, a very rich region in this type of geology - They are part of the Natural Park of Aire and Candeeiros Mountains, in the massive limestone and were formed over 150 million years ago, in the Middle Ages Jurassic, a time when dinosaurs inhabited the region.

Once you arrive, you climb down into the Caves and almost immediately get to see breathtaking caverns featuring beautiful formations (and stalactites that I was convinced were going to fall down and crush my head) - After a quick trek, you drive at an underground water puddles with crystal clear water that come from the cavities of the cave walls and ceilings due to the action of rainwater on limestone rocks predominant in this village witch is the reason why the caves are formed.

The water infiltrates the crevices of limestone rocks, these cracks ranging extending the natural erosion and the chemical reaction caused by the presence of carbon dioxide. In its permeabilization process these waters reach the wide cavities previously formed (caves) generate droplets which are released from the ceilings of various heights creating in this process all types of formations.

A part of this water will naturally suffering the phenomenon of evaporation, reducing substantially the amount of carbon dioxide it originally existed - This operation causes a reverse chemical reaction to the previous one, renewing formation of calcium carbonate, being insoluble, is suspended from ceilings in solid forms vertex of ways down, by which they will "grow" slowly through the centuries in the name of stalactites. However, if the drops, thanks to a more intense permeabilization with release of a regular pace pulses, ceilings, chemical phenomenon is implemented by causing the formations grow from the floor being known as stalagmites. When it gives the union of stalactites and stalagmites gives the column name.

Ceilings, thanks to very narrow and long cracks through which water will have to flow in their permeation, are formed after several very curious forms of crystalline filament.

History of Mira de Aire Caves:

The caves were discovered in 1947 by men in the region who were attracted by the steam that came through the rocks

They descended by ropes and are faced with a large room. Although visibiliadde be weak realized that something big was in front of them because their voices intone like the sound of stones throwing.

Days later return with bigger strings and departed the discovery of this underground paradise.

After the news of the discovery have come to Lisbon, speleologists set off for the region and initiate studies on these caves. The increasing discovery of the cave led two years later to the construction of a wooden winch to get pass a well with about 20 meters, followed by the construction of several steps to make progress in the cave.

Exceeded this well begins a journey of about 500 meters, today called the "Grand Gallery" where you can observe several curious formations made by water that resemble various animals and objects such as elephant, hamster, jellyfish and spaghetti.

In the 50s and 60s longer studies forced the camps inside the cave. The discovery of the Final Well allowed to conclude the first topographical map of the cave.

The willingness to share this wonder with the population and the tourist exploitation had them built several hundred meters of platforms and stairs.

The opening to the public takes place in August 1974.

The discovery of the cave continued and in 2007 it was possible to add another 1km galleries.

Currently the combination of this cave to Contenda cave and Pena cave add up to 11kms in length and 600 meters open to the public.

During the tour my head was swimming as I was trying to figure out if I really was in a cave, or if I was swirling through a solar system in outer space, it was incredible - a must go see for sure!