St. Michael's Cave, Natural history museum and memorial in Upper Rock Nature Reserve, Gibraltar.
St. Michael's Cave is a limestone cave system with multiple levels within the Upper Rock Nature Reserve in Gibraltar. The geological formations include stalactites and stalagmites created through water erosion over millions of years, forming natural columns and curtains inside the chambers.
Archaeological excavations in 1974 uncovered a Neolithic bowl and cave drawings of an ibex, indicating prehistoric human presence in the area. During the Second World War, military planners converted sections into an emergency hospital, adding new tunnels and chambers to the natural system.
The central chamber serves as a concert hall, using the natural acoustics of the limestone walls for musical performances and events. The installation of seating rows and lighting transforms the underground space into a theater where visitors can experience classical concerts and other cultural presentations.
The site opens daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM in winter and 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM in summer, with guided tours available during operating hours. The grounds include lit pathways and stairs, though some areas may be slippery due to the natural humidity inside the chambers.
The lower chamber, known as Lower St. Michael's Cave, was opened to the public only in the 1960s and remains less visited than the main area. The chamber is reached through a narrow passage and features an underground lake surrounded by the geological formations.
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