
Cova de la Taverna
Cave with 472 metres of passage in the Montsant (Margalef), an underground torrent active after rain, with two entrances and a route featuring drops, plunge pools and formations.
EspeleoWorld
Cova de la Taverna
Cave with 472 metres of passage in the Montsant (Margalef), an underground torrent active after rain, with two entrances and a route featuring drops, plunge pools and formations.
Margalef · Priorat
Length: 472 m · Depth: 53 m
Updated record
https://espeleoworld.com/en/c/cova-de-la-taverna
Information can change. Always verify coordinates, access, weather, and cave conditions before setting out.
Cave with 472 metres of passage in the Montsant (Margalef), an underground torrent active after rain, with two entrances and a route featuring drops, plunge pools and formations.
Topographic
Espeleoindex · CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ · Image © its author.
Photos
Espeleoindex · CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ · Image © its author.
Description
Morphology
The cave has 472 metres of passage. The upper entrance gives access to a 5-metre drop that leads to a new elongated entrance. The gallery makes a double bend and reaches a relatively high and wide gallery. The next section leaves the river course and it is necessary to descend various drops among blocks that give it a chaotic appearance. At the end of this section there is a 3-metre drop, the pas de l'escala. Immediately afterwards one reaches la Saleta (11x5 metres) and connects with la Sala (19x13 metres). The exit is formed by a broad porch with a large pool of water.
Speleothems
In la Sala (19x13 metres) we find some formations.
Hydrology
The cave is an underground torrent and, as such, is active after rain, and can carry a significant flow. It develops parallel to the surface torrent of the barranc de la Taverna, with which it has various connections. In the roof of the relatively high and wide gallery there are various openings that connect with the outside. In la Saleta (11x5 metres) we find a beautiful pool of water. Immediately afterwards a waterfall is descended and we find a gallery that narrows as we pass through various plunge pools. The large pool of water at the exit is produced by a construction to collect water there.
Progression
The upper entrance gives access to a 5-metre drop that leads to a new elongated entrance; from there one descends among blocks and some narrow passage until reaching a waterfall-slide. Once descended, the underground course is followed. The next section leaves the river course and it is necessary to descend various drops among blocks, with various entrances that connect with the outside. At the end of this section there is a 3-metre drop, the pas de l'escala, currently equipped as if it were a “Ferrata”. Immediately afterwards one reaches la Saleta (11x5 metres) and connects with la Sala (19x13 metres). Immediately afterwards a waterfall is descended and we find a gallery that narrows as we pass through various plunge pools, reaching the exit.
History
The cave is mentioned in Joan Ferraté's book, Espeleologia a les comarques Tarragonines (1918). The first known survey was published in 1967 (SAS-CGB) on the occasion of the celebration of the Campament d'Espeleòlegs held in Margalef (Montsant). As for the impact on the cave of a project to enlarge the reservoir, which would flood the lower part of the cave where some paintings are found, it seems that the project is halted due to the negative report resulting from the environmental study that advises against this enlargement.
User Comments (0)
No comments yet.
Be the first to share your experience!
Registered Explorations (0)
No explorations registered yet.
Register your visit to this cave!
Bibliography
- Borràs, J.; Miñarro,JM.; Talavera, F. (1984).- Catàleg Espeleològic de Catalunya. Vol. 7 (el Baix Camp, el Priorat i la Ribera d'Ebre): 283 pp. Ed. Poliglota. Barcelona.
- Cardona i Oliván, Ferran.(1990).- Grans Cavitats de Catalunya (segón Volum).pp 1- 484.
- Ferraté,J.(1918).-Espeleologia a les Comarques Tarragonines. pp:1-133. Reus.
- Fotos “JNC” facilitades per Jordi Navarro, (Centre Excursionista de Castellar del Vallès).
- Fotos sense marca, extretes del blog Espeleobloc, post del dia 6-9-2011.
Nearby caves
Source: Espeleoindex (espeleoindex.com), modified. CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/




