Cova Meravelles

Three entrances gave access to the cavity, two of them however have been sealed, and the third, artificial, remains closed, this being the tourist access. This access leads to a hall where its right-hand end is separated from another hall by a barrier of formations; this latter hall is larger and more decorated with concretions. Just entering this hall, on the right, we find a crawlway that led to the outside, but it is currently sealed. From this hall one reaches two more halls, adorned with abundant flowstone and other concretions. Returning to the entrance hall, at the left-hand end, and on the other side of a formation barrier, a small hall is formed which is a continuation of the previous one, with a floor entirely of stalagmite. Next, a gallery semi-fossilised by sediments ends in a small passage, obstructed at first, but which to facilitate tourist exploitation was opened, building some steps cut into the rock in order to overcome a drop. It is perhaps from here that the best concretions of the cavity can be appreciated. Passing the steps leads us to a hall that is the starting point of the galleries and halls that remain in the cave. Just entering the hall, on the right, a small ramp of flowstone between columns gives way to a hall in which formations of those vulgarly called macarrons can be seen, some of them more than 1.50 metres long. Continuing in front of the access area, a gallery divided in two by columns leads to a small hall where we find the most varied throng of eccentric formations, some completely white. Continuing along the gallery, a new hall full of gours between columns, of great beauty, leads us after a passage between flowstones to the last hall of the cave, a place where we find large stepped gours. At the left-hand end of the hall, after passing the steps, another hall communicates with a gallery with a great deal of sediment, at the end of which is found the other of the old accesses, currently sealed.

Noteworthy in the cavity is the great abundance and diversity of concretions, despite the progressive deterioration it has been suffering since its discovery, due to the damage done by some of the visitors.

On the water of the large stepped gours of the last hall of the cave a crystalline film of calcium carbonate can be seen.

The tourist access is the third entrance, artificial and closed. This access leads to a hall. From this hall one reaches two more halls. Returning to the entrance hall, at the left-hand end, a small hall is formed. Next, a gallery semi-fossilised ends in a small passage, obstructed at first, but which to facilitate tourist exploitation was opened, building some steps cut into the rock in order to overcome a drop. Passing the steps leads to a hall that is the starting point of the galleries and halls that remain in the cave. At the left-hand end of the hall, after passing the steps, another hall communicates with a gallery with a great deal of sediment, at the end of which is found the other of the old accesses, currently sealed.

The cova de les Meravelles is equipped for tourism; it can be visited daily from 1 April to 31 October, except on 7 and 8 September when they close for the local festival. Visiting hours are from 10 to 13.30 and from 16 to 19.30 hours. From 1 November to 31 March they only open on public holidays and weekends, except on 25 and 31 December when it is closed. Visiting hours are from 10 to 13.30 and from 16 to 18.30 hours. For more information (http://www.Benifallet.altanet.org/les-coves-meravelles).