St Michael's Cave
This cave has been known for over 2000 years and used for various purposes such as a stronghold in the 18th Century, a hospital and during the World War II for storing ammunition. The Rock of Gibraltar is reported to have approximately 150 caves within it, some of which are sea caves and appear at all levels, proving that the Rock had been submerged under water for some time throughout history. The caves were created by rainwater slowly seeping through the limestone rock, and turning into a weak carbonic acid which gradually dissolved the rock. Through this process, tiny cracks in The Rock's geological fault grew into long passages and large caverns over thousands of years. The numerous stalactites and stalagmites in the cave are formed by an accumulation of traces of dissolved rock deposited by water dripping from the ground above. The largest of the chambers, named the Cathedral Cave, currently serves as an auditorium. It was converted due to the chamber's natural acoustic properties, which according to experts, enhances and blends tones into a uniform and faithful rendition of sound. It is equipped with a concrete stage and has a seating capacity of over 100. The cave is lit by gory coloured lights and rock music was belting out when we were there. I guess it demonstrated the cave’s acoustics but personally I would have preferred something rather more mystical....
St Michael's Cave
This cave has been known for over 2000 years and used for various purposes such as a stronghold in the 18th Century, a hospital and during the World War II for storing ammunition. The Rock of Gibraltar is reported to have approximately 150 caves within it, some of which are sea caves and appear at all levels, proving that the Rock had been submerged under water for some time throughout history. The caves were created by rainwater slowly seeping through the limestone rock, and turning into a weak carbonic acid which gradually dissolved the rock. Through this process, tiny cracks in The Rock's geological fault grew into long passages and large caverns over thousands of years. The numerous stalactites and stalagmites in the cave are formed by an accumulation of traces of dissolved rock deposited by water dripping from the ground above. The largest of the chambers, named the Cathedral Cave, currently serves as an auditorium. It was converted due to the chamber's natural acoustic properties, which according to experts, enhances and blends tones into a uniform and faithful rendition of sound. It is equipped with a concrete stage and has a seating capacity of over 100. The cave is lit by gory coloured lights and rock music was belting out when we were there. I guess it demonstrated the cave’s acoustics but personally I would have preferred something rather more mystical....