Grutas de Santo António
Grutas de Santo António is a limestone cave in the Alvados e Alcaria region featuring multiple underground chambers and natural passages. The interior contains stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years, along with a natural pool near the entrance area.
The cave was discovered in 1955 when a young boy followed a bird and fell into a rock crevice. After this accidental discovery, workers began exploring the underground space and later opened it to visitors.
The cave takes its name from Saint Anthony and reflects the religious heritage of the region. Visitors can observe rock formations that suggest religious figures, including a stalagmite that many interpret as the Virgin of Fatima.
Plan your visit with comfortable shoes and a jacket, as the interior temperature remains between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius year-round. Guided tours through the cave explain natural formations and help visitors navigate the uneven paths safely.
The cave remains geologically active, with stalactites and stalagmites continuing to grow at a rate of about one centimeter per century. This ongoing growth makes the site a living geological system that continues to evolve and change.
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