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Curious caves in Busot:
Busot is a tiny village in the
Marina Baixa that is situated within sight of the sierra known as the Cabeço d' Or
(Golden Hill). The landscape is dry, scorched and jagged and only the traditional
dry-crops can be grown upon it. Today most of the village's inhabitants are involved in
tourism and the service sector. It is a small village with approximately 1,500 inhabitants
whose houses are grouped around a hill topped by a 12th-century Moorish castle. The ruined
castle formed part of the Alicante's medieval defensive system.
Busot is fairly well signposted and can be found 24 kms from Alicante and 40 km from
Benidorm, sitting in a vast and beautiful wilderness, pleasingly lacking in cranes and
disruptive building works that seem to appear almost everywhere else along the coast. This
is what makes a drive to Busot such a refreshing day out – just a few kilometres
inland and it feels as though one has travelled to the heart of a wild and natural Spain.
The famous Canalobre caves, or in English, Candelabra Caves, are located about 3
kilometres from the village, on the slopes of the golden hill, at a height of 700 metres.
The caves comprise a spectacular cavern with curious limestone formations that are quite
awe inspiring, and indeed, many of the formations resemble candelabras, as suggested by
the name given to the cave.
The drive up to the caves’ entrance is well signposted, and the views are stunning as
the boundless arid countryside stretches out as far as the eye can see below. Endless rows
of craggy mountains complete the picturesque views, and are at their most spectacular as
the Autumn sun sets amid piercing golden rays, and sinks slowly behind the pointed distant
peaks.
The entrance to the caves is along an artificial tunnel leading directly to a balcony
overlooking a large inner gallery. This gallery reaches 45 metres in height, 45 metres in
length and is 35 metres wide. The acoustics of the cave are excellent and concerts have
been held in this area, set upon the specially designed stage that is still present.
Inside the caves
The guide will then proceed along the set route, careful to point out where the floor
boarding is loose! For 175 metres the route twists and winds around the cave, allowing the
visitor the most impressive views of the myriad of unusual shapes formed by the thousands
of stalactites and stalagmites, formed over millions of years by dripping water containing
sediments that slowly build up into columns. It is here that the imagination runs wild, as
at every turn there is a face, a castle, a dragon, all carefully lit with an artistic use
of lamps. In addition to the stalactites and stalagmites, there are also helictites, a
lesser-known element of such caves, that form delicately along the walls. Also, slimy
looking formations created by running water cling, like mossy aliens to the cave walls,
these are known as ‘flowstone’ and do indeed give the appearance of fluid stone.
History
The Canelobre Caves history is a long one. Formed in limestone rock approximately
150 million years ago, sometime during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods,
their formation is related to the underground forces that helped to form the whole area.
The main vaulted area of the cave is one of the largest in Spain, and from the ceiling
stalactites of up to 12 metres hang down directly above their corresponding stalagmites.
Life in the cave is minimal, although there are small colonies of cynobacteria, algae,
fungi, mould and even a small colony of bats. The all year round temperature of 18 degrees
Celsius helps to ensure their survival.
The caves have also been used by humans over the years, and their discovery is thought to
have been by mining prospectors during the Moorish occupation. The Arabs themselves are
said to have used the caves for shelter, and later, during the Spanish Civil War, the
caves were used as a protected place in which to repair aircraft engines. From the mid
19th century the caves have been visited by tourists, and are still as popular as ever
with visitors.
The area of Busot provides another attraction for the visitor. A short hiking route
ascends from the Caves to an exceptional look out point, and passes by a quaint farmstead
known as Casa de Polset, continuing along past ancient mines. The mountain also has two
areas classified as micro-reserves containing protected species of interest to anyone with
knowledge of the local flora. This area should not be visited without a camera. Luckily,
the caves are open all year round, so the summertime tourist buses can be avoided by
visiting now. From October 1 to June 20 the opening times are from 11.00 – 17.50.
Easter week from 10.30 – 19.50, and for the remainder of the year from 10.30 –
19.50, closed only on December 25 and January 1.
For more information about the Canelobre Caves
call 96 569 92 50
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