They are located on Rua das Grutas, Municipality of Porto de Mós, District of Leiria, Central Portugal
The Alvados Caves are very close to the Santo António Caves, they are located in the Serras de Aire and Candeeiros Natural Park, they are part of the Estremadura limestone massif and are part of a circuit of great historical and scientific value located in the center of Portugal.
In a landscape with low vegetation characteristic of the region and loose stone walls, the interior of the cave shows us several monumental “vats” and rooms with uneven lakes full of very delicate “stalactites” and “stalagmites”.
Within a radius of 50 km there are several tourist destinations such as the castles of Leiria, Óbidos, Porto de Mós, Santarém, Torres Novas, Almourol or Ourém and in addition to the Batalha Monastery and the convents of Alcobaça or Tomar, the Sanctuary of Fátima stands out as a unique place of religious worship in the world context.
In a landscape with low vegetation characteristic of the region and loose stone walls, the interior of the cave shows us several monumental “vats” and rooms with uneven lakes full of very delicate “stalactites” and “stalagmites”.
Within a radius of 50 km there are several tourist destinations such as the castles of Leiria, Óbidos, Porto de Mós, Santarém, Torres Novas, Almourol or Ourém and in addition to the Batalha Monastery and the convents of Alcobaça or Tomar, the Sanctuary of Fátima stands out as a unique place of religious worship in the world context.
History of the Alvados Caves
The Alvados Caves were discovered in 1964 by quarry workers who, intrigued by the stones falling onto a ledge, decided to descend through that opening and, with ropes and flashlights, found a wonderful natural world of previously unknown limestone formations.
The caves only opened to the public in 1973 and their interior is divided into two bodies, which forced the opening of a connecting tunnel and an exit tunnel that later allowed the creation of safe conditions for them to be opened to the public.
The visit begins with a natural exterior entrance and inside we will find the delicacy of its “oolitic” formations characteristic of the subsoil of this region, the “stalactites” and “stalagmites” appear linked to small natural lakes that transport us to a wonderful underground world.
The caves only opened to the public in 1973 and their interior is divided into two bodies, which forced the opening of a connecting tunnel and an exit tunnel that later allowed the creation of safe conditions for them to be opened to the public.
The visit begins with a natural exterior entrance and inside we will find the delicacy of its “oolitic” formations characteristic of the subsoil of this region, the “stalactites” and “stalagmites” appear linked to small natural lakes that transport us to a wonderful underground world.
Characteristics of the Alvados Caves
The Alvados Caves have a visitable length of 350 m, the maximum width between rooms is 40 m and the interior height reaches 95 m whose natural ventilation maintains a stabilized and constant temperature of 16 to 18 degrees throughout the year.
The feeling you get is one of admiration for the work carried out by nature over more than 50,000 years and its interior route is served by indirect lighting that highlights the natural colors and transparencies of its limestone formations.
The Alvados Caves are open all year round, characterized by one of the most delicate natural spaces open to tourism and one of the most characteristic caves in the Iberian Peninsula.
The feeling you get is one of admiration for the work carried out by nature over more than 50,000 years and its interior route is served by indirect lighting that highlights the natural colors and transparencies of its limestone formations.
The Alvados Caves are open all year round, characterized by one of the most delicate natural spaces open to tourism and one of the most characteristic caves in the Iberian Peninsula.
Inside the Alvados Caves
The interior of the Alvados Caves is formed by a succession of uneven rooms and small lakes with natural access from the outside, made up of a first group of three uneven rooms whose route develops in the form of a natural tunnel and reveals several monumental “pits” characteristic of this region.
Its linear path between the first three rooms gives rise to a large central room that unfolds into successive rooms and small natural lakes, where the perfect harmony of the countless “stalactites” and “stalagmites” are highlighted by adequate lighting to preserve their natural beauty.
The Alvados Caves form one of the most beautiful and notable sets of natural caves open to the public in Portugal, which in itself justifies a visit to this stunning and delicate natural setting.
Its linear path between the first three rooms gives rise to a large central room that unfolds into successive rooms and small natural lakes, where the perfect harmony of the countless “stalactites” and “stalagmites” are highlighted by adequate lighting to preserve their natural beauty.
The Alvados Caves form one of the most beautiful and notable sets of natural caves open to the public in Portugal, which in itself justifies a visit to this stunning and delicate natural setting.
