The almost two million euro project to provide tourist access to Calasparra´s greatest natural treasure, the Puerto Cave, was inaugurated this week and this weekend is your last chance to see it, free of charge!
This Friday and Saturday are the last Open Door Days of the season and the last chance to see the amazing Puerto Cave without paying any entrance fee. However, reservations are going like hot cakes so book now to avoid disappointment. See the end of this article for full details and photo album.
Some five kilometres of the cave have now been mapped and a section of 700 metres is open to visitors. The new entrance, part of the expanded Visitors´ Centre, car park and disabled access, brings this wonderful natural resource within everyone´s reach.
The cave, composed of galleries and chambers, has a maximum depth of 114 metres. The persistent dripping of water seeping through the cracks has formed magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, creating a natural beauty unrivalled within the Murcia region.
The route through the cave is not for the faint hearted: narrow, dimly lit, very steep in places and with stalagamites hanging low from the ceiling. There there are also some steep climbs. However, it is fascinating and offers a unique opportunity to witness one of nature´s greatest works under construction.
Official opening hours and entrance fees have not yet been published and disabled visitors should check when booking whether full disabled access is already available.
The 1,800,000 euros project has been jointly funded by Calasparra Town Hall, Cieza Town Hall and the regional autonomous government of Murcia.
The project includes:-
Building a Visitors´ Centre on three floors with function rooms, cafetería, shop, reading rooms, storeroom, offices and covered parking for 15 vehicles.
Renovation of a small building for potholers.
Installation of electricity.
Connection to the drinking water supply.
Excavation of a 22 metre tunnel for the new entrance to the cave.
Extension of the route through the cave by 300 metres to provide tourist access to 700 metres.
Furniture.
CTV Survelliance.
Air conditioning.
Lighting along the tourist route including an illuminated explanatory display in one of the chambers.
The final Open Door Days of the season are this weekend: Friday and Saturday January 2 and 3. There will be guided tours at 10, 11 and 12 and 1 pm and 4 and 5pm. Tours last over an hour.
Tours are free of charge but must be reserved in advance calling 968 72 30 00 or on the Internet at qalataventura@gmail.com. English spoken.
There is recorded information inside the cave but it is only in Spanish at the moment.
You are advised to book as quickly as possible as places are limited.
Visitors are advised to leave coats and jackets inside the cave entrance as the cave is very warm.
Created with flickr slideshow.
