Grottes de Jonas, Troglodyte fortress in Saint-Pierre-Colamine, France.
Grottes de Jonas is an underground settlement system with roughly sixty cave dwellings carved into volcanic rock, including residential areas, storage spaces, and a medieval fortress complex. The entire structure demonstrates how a complete community functioned beneath the surface, with passages and levels connected by natural and constructed pathways.
The cave dwellings were constructed during the 12th century when inhabitants began carving into the volcanic rock to create shelter and living spaces. This underground system developed into a fortified settlement with defensive and supply management features.
The chapel preserves frescoes from the 11th century, and beside the living spaces stands a traditional bakery with an oven carved directly into the stone. You can see how inhabitants organized their daily life in this underground setting and what craftsmanship techniques they used.
Reaching the caves requires climbing numerous steps, so visitors should wear comfortable shoes and be in reasonable physical condition. Exploration is available with guided tours in French or on your own, with the full visit taking about an hour.
A remarkable spiral staircase was carved directly into the volcanic rock to connect different levels of the underground settlement. This crafted construction shows the skill and determination of the medieval inhabitants in shaping their living environment.
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