Hi,
my name is Star and I have been lucky enough to call Gran Alacant my home for over 8 years now. My 6 year old daughter Ashlee and I are often “Out & About” enjoying the local attractions and culture in this part of Spain. Over the next few months I will be sharing some of our experiences with you to encourage you to go “Out & About” yourselves and maybe learn a little bit about this beautiful place we call home.
This month we wanted to share our visit to the Cuevas de Canelbore at Busot. Ashlee and I went here on Sunday 13th November and thoroughly enjoyed the views and the Caves.
Located just 50km and a 50 minute drive away from Gran Alacant, the Canelobre Caves are one of the main tourist attractions, not only of Busot but of the entire province of Alicante. The drive up takes you through some impressive mountains and the views are amazing. The cave entrance opens out at a height of 700 metres in altitude on the western face of the Cabeçó d’Or Mountain range.
There is limited parking directly outside the Caves and a small car park further down the hill. Entrance costs €7 for adults (age 14+), children €4.50 (aged 5 to 14) and those under 5 years old are free. You can also get group tickets. Once you have paid you need to wait until they are ready to take you in on an official tour. These are available in English. Once inside the cave you are not permitted to take photographs but they take one of you as you go in and this is available at the end of your tour along with a DVD of pictures for €6. Your ticket also gives you free entrance to the Museum of Ethnic Music, located in Busot.
The Canelobre Caves were formed in limestone rock during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods (from 120-150 million years ago). The slow dissolution of the rock progressed downwards into the mountain, giving rise to the large gallery, which is 2,000 m2 in area and has a volume of 20,000, making it the eighth largest cavity in the Land of Valencia. It has a maximum depth of 75 metres and even has a small colony of bats whose nesting area is on the highest ceilings of the main gallery.
From it’s ceiling hang a large number of stalactites, some of which are over 12 metres long and on the floor stand corresponding stalagmites. Some of these have been given names such as “The Holy Family” which is more than 25 metres high and “El Canelobre” a stalamite in the centre of the hall that is more than 100,000 years old!!
Because of the impressive acoustics, the Cuevas de Canelobre is the perfect setting for numerous musical performances which are held here throughout the year. These events, along with the amazing lighting inside the cave, provide a spectacle not just for the eyes but also the ears!!!
For more information on these events visit: http://turismobusot.com/las-cuevas-del-canelobre/
WINTER OPENING HOURS (September 1st to June 30th)
Closed Mondays, Christmas Day and New Years Day.
Tuesdays to Fridays: 1030 – 1650. Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 1030 – 1750
