Lower St Michael's Cave: A Subterranean Cathedral

Lower St Michael's Cave, also known as New St. Michael's Cave, is a captivating natural wonder located within the Upper Rock Nature Reserve in Gibraltar. Unlike the more well-known St. Michael's Cave (proper), which has been known for over 2,000 years, Lower St Michael's Cave was only discovered in 1942 during World War II when Royal Engineers were creating a secondary entrance to the lower chambers of St. Michael's Cave.This accidental discovery revealed a cavern with several chambers that may have been sealed for 20,000 years. The cave is renowned for its extraordinary beauty, showcasing a mesmerizing array of white, grey, and red stalactite columns that resemble a cathedral, complete with a pulpit, chancel, and organ pipes. The cave also features a stunning underground lake, nearly 40 yards long and estimated to hold 45,000 gallons of crystal-clear water.Visitors can explore the cave on a guided tour, which typically lasts around three hours. The tour involves some scrambling and minor climbing with ropes, adding an adventurous element to the experience. The cave is fully lit, allowing visitors to appreciate the diverse calcite formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, rim stone, helictites, columns, coral rocks, flowstone, straws, and curtains. Photography is permitted, allowing visitors to capture the unforgettable speleological experience. Comfortable shoes and casual clothing are recommended.