Cuevas del Drach facts for kids
The Caves of Drach are amazing underground caves on the island of Majorca, which is part of Spain. Their name means "Dragon Caves." These caves are very deep, going down about 25 meters, and stretch for about 4 kilometers! You can find them near the town of Porto Cristo in the area of Manacor. People first wrote about these caves way back in 1338.
There are actually four main caves connected together. They are called the Black Cave, the White Cave, the Cave of Luis Salvador, and the Cave of the French.
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How Were the Caves Formed?
These incredible caves were made over a very long time. Water from the Mediterranean Sea slowly pushed its way into the rock. Scientists think this process might have started millions of years ago, during a time called the Miocene Epoch.
Exploring the Caves and Martel Lake
Inside the Caves of Drach, there's a large underground lake called Martel Lake. It's about 115 meters long and 30 meters wide. The lake's depth changes, but it can be up to 12 meters deep.
This lake is named after a famous French explorer and scientist, Édouard-Alfred Martel. He is known as one of the first people to seriously explore caves. In 1896, Martel was invited to explore these caves. Another explorer, M.F. Will, had already mapped two of the caves in 1880. But Martel discovered two more caves and the amazing underground lake!
A Special Concert Underground
Today, the Caves of Drach are a very popular place for tourists to visit in Majorca. You can buy a ticket to explore them. The visit often ends with a truly unique experience: a classical music concert! Musicians play beautiful music while floating on small boats across Martel Lake. It's a magical way to finish your tour.
Why Are the Caves Important?
The Caves of Drach are a huge part of tourism in Majorca. Many people come to the island just to see them. Because they bring so many visitors, the caves are very important for the local economy. If they ever close, even for a short time, people in the area see it as a sign that things might be tough for businesses.
See also
In Spanish: Cuevas del Drach para niños
Images for kids
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The beautiful Caves of Drach
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Édouard-Alfred Martel, a pioneer in exploring caves
