Exploring the vastness of Gibraltar’s iconic Rock entails not only visiting its top attractions, but also venturing into the lesser-known corners of its underground world. And among the dazzling stalactites and mysterious chambers of the caves, St Michael’s Cave reigns supreme as a true natural wonder. However, its fascinating history and myths also add an intriguing layer to this subterranean site. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the story of St Michael’s Cave, from its supposed bottomless depths to the legends about its connection to Africa and the macaques. So grab your flashlight and let’s embark on a journey to the unknown depths of Gibraltar!
St Michael’s Cave is located midway up the Rock of Gibraltar, and it’s easy to see why it has been a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The awe-inspiring cave is adorned with limestone formations that seem to form a natural cathedral of shimmering pillars and draperies. But what many might not know is that St Michael’s Cave was once believed to be bottomless, spreading rumors of an underground connection between Europe and Africa. The belief in a subterranean passage across the Strait of Gibraltar can be traced back to ancient geographers like Pomponius Mela. However, the supposed discovery of a hole leading to the core of the Earth turned out to be a mere illusion created by the cave’s resonance effect.
Despite the debunking of the bottomless cave myth, St Michael’s Cave continued to mesmerize visitors with its stunning beauty and enigmatic aura. And its allure might have also sparked the imagination of the legend about the macaques’ arrival to Gibraltar. According to the tale, the macaques, also called Barbary apes, were deviously brought to Gibraltar by the Moors, who released them from the cave to scout the area for invaders. However, the actual history of the macaques’ presence on the Rock is not so clear-cut. While some say that the animals arrived with the British troops in the 18th century or were native to the area, others claim that they indeed came through a subterranean passage before St Michael’s Cave was discovered.
One of the biggest revelations in the discovery of the Caves of Gibraltar was the prehistoric art found there. In 1974, a drawing of an ibex was discovered on the cave wall, dating back to the Solutrean period around 15-20 thousand years ago. This confirmed that prehistoric men had been aware of the caves and visited them regularly. But, the real shock came when two neanderthal skulls were found in the caves- evidence that our primitive ancestors could have been using the cave system as early as 40,000 BC. This staggering discovery opened up a whole new world of possibility and challenged the traditional narrative of early human history.
According to Greek mythology, the Rock of Gibraltar was one of the pillars of Hercules, and the cave system was believed to be the entrance to Hades, the land of the dead. A journey through the Caves of Gibraltar was a metaphorical journey to the underworld where the dead resided. Even today, some people believe that the cave system has an otherworldly quality to it, and that it's a passage to another realm. Whether you believe in such tales or not, there's no denying that the Caves of Gibraltar have an aura of mystery and enigma to them that's hard to shake off.
Visiting St Michael’s Cave today means embarking on a journey that combines natural wonders with cultural heritage, and mythical tales with scientific discoveries. The cave remains a symbol of Gibraltar’s unique character and a testament to the power of nature’s beauty. And while the subterranean passage to Africa might be a legend, the connection between Gibraltar and its underground world is far from myth. The caves around the Rock continue to reveal their secrets and attract curious explorers from all over the world.
St Michael’s Cave is not only a destination for cave enthusiasts but also an emblem of Gibraltar’s rich history and diverse culture. Its mystery and myths have added another layer to its beauty, making it a site worth exploring for both adventure seekers and cultural travelers. From the story of the subterranean passage to the macaques’ arrival, St Michael’s Cave has been a source of fascination and inspiration for generations. So if you’re planning your next trip to Gibraltar, don’t miss the chance to descend into the depths of this captivating cave and witness its awe-inspiring charm.