Observatory Cave, Archaeological cave in Jardin Exotique, Monaco.
Observatory Cave descends 103 meters through limestone formations filled with stalagmites, stalactites, and other geological structures shaped by water erosion over time. The cave sits beneath the Exotic Garden and extends down to sections near sea level.
The cave sheltered different human groups over tens of thousands of years, including Neanderthals roughly 60,000 years ago and modern humans around 37,000 years ago. Geological evidence also reveals traces of earthquakes that altered the interior over time.
The Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology displays tools and animal bones discovered within the cave walls. These objects tell the story of people who lived here across many thousands of years.
The path involves roughly 300 steps from the entrance near the Exotic Garden leading down into the deeper sections. Sturdy shoes are important, and the route can be slippery, especially after rain.
The cave shows traces of a major earthquake from 1887 that caused parts of the formations to collapse. These geological scars remain visible today in the broken and shifted stone sections.
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