The Caves of San Miguel
Just north of the Ibiza town of San Miguel, there are tapas restaurants that sit just atop a hill, and just at the entrance of one of the islands most popular tourist attractions, the Caves Can Marca. One of the aspects of this island that draws people staying in the best hotels, Ibiza views…and the site of the caves has one of the most spectacular views of the island and of the bay of San Miguel. There are many different species living on the hill and along the path leading to the entrance, one of the most unique being the Muradensis Lizard.
These caves were formed over 100,000 years ago and have since weathered the hot, tropical environment of Ibiza. Once inside the caves, one will notice that most of the internal walls have become fossilized, with the deepest of the galleries filled with stalactites that are still in the process of forming, similar to the deeper caves in the United States Yellow Stone National Park. This site was first discovered by and used by smugglers. They would lift their goods from the sea, and store them in the caves. Many of the markings left by the smugglers are still found on the walls today. Most of them are markings on the walls with the directions of the exits, should an emergency occur, or should they be found out.
This has been a site rich in archaeological artifacts, fauna and fossils of animals. Researchers have reconstructed some of the water ways, water falls, and the pools that were responsible for the formation of the caves. The incredible formations of the rocks and the amazing geological structure has now become a bit commercialized. While some are historically illustrated, others are lit with colored lights and have sound effects as part of the tour. This is one of the most interesting sites on the island, and a perfect day trip to take to get out of the city and enjoy a bit of the incredible landscapes of Ibiza.
Related posts: