List of caves in Gibraltar facts for kids

One of the most remarkable of Gibraltar's many caves is St Michael's, large enough to house this comfortable auditorium.

The Rock of Gibraltar is famous for its many amazing caves! These natural underground spaces have been important for thousands of years, offering shelter, storage, and even homes for ancient humans. Scientists believe there are more than 200 caves hidden within and around Gibraltar. Some are above ground, while others are now underwater.

Caves Under the Sea

You might wonder why some caves are found deep under the sea! Caves usually form above sea level. The reason these caves are now underwater is because the sea level has changed a lot over time. For much of the last 100,000 years, the sea was much lower than it is today, sometimes by as much as 120 meters (about 390 feet).

This means that caves which are now covered by water were once dry land. It's possible that people lived in these caves a very long time ago! Today, scientists are studying these underwater caves to learn more about Gibraltar's past and the ancient people who might have lived there.

Caves Above Ground

The caves inside the Rock of Gibraltar have been used for many purposes throughout history. For hundreds of years, people used them as safe places during attacks and sieges on the island. They also stored important supplies like water and ammunition inside the caves.

Even more incredibly, Neanderthals, an ancient type of human, lived in many of these caves a very long time ago. Their remains and tools have been found in several locations, giving us clues about how they lived.

There are believed to be over 200 caves that are still above ground in Gibraltar. Here is a list of some of them:

See also

• List of caves
• Speleology