Gruta de Maquiné
Minas Gerais
Gruta de Maquiné, located near Cordisburgo in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is the country's oldest and one of its most commercially visited cave systems. Discovered in 1825 by Joaquim Maria Maquiné, the cave extends approximately 650 meters with seven large chambers showcasing spectacular stalagmites, columns, and crystal formations. The cave maintains a stable internal temperature around 26 to 27°C and features calcium carbonate formations alongside minerals like silica, gypsum, quartz, and iron. Each chamber has unique characteristics, from the naturally lit Vestibulo with its towering stalagmites to the Hall of Pools with delicate fluorspar limestone crystals and the Hall of the Fairies, famed for its dazzling crystal crusts and mammoth bones. Scientific exploration began in 1834 with naturalist Peter Wilhelm Lund, who studied the abundant fossil remains. Safety measures including lighting, walkways, and guided tours make it accessible to visitors eager to explore its geological and paleontological wonders. The cave's combination of natural beauty, scientific importance, and historical significance makes it a unique destination in Brazil's rich landscape.
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Astuce: Visitors should plan their trip during the dry season for optimal conditions and consider booking guided tours in advance to fully appreciate the cave's complex chambers and scientific significance. Comfortable footwear is recommended due to walkways and uneven ground. Discounts may be available for students and groups. Early arrival can help avoid crowds and allow more time to explore safely with guides.
Faits intéressants
- •Gruta de Maquiné is the oldest known cave system open for tourism in Brazil.
- •The cave contains seven large chambers, each with distinct geological features and formations.
- •Bones of extinct animals, including mammoths, have been found in the cave, studied by Peter Wilhelm Lund.
- •The Hall of Pools features a natural basin with walls covered in delicate fluorspar limestone crystals.
- •The cave maintains a constant temperature between 26 and 27°C, ideal for preserving its formations.
Histoire
Gruta de Maquiné was discovered in 1825 by Joaquim Maria Maquiné, a local farmer.
Scientific exploration began in 1834 when Danish naturalist Peter Wilhelm Lund studied the cave extensively, uncovering numerous fossils including those of extinct mammals.
Over the centuries, the cave has been developed with safety features such as lighting and walkways to accommodate tourism while preserving its natural formations.
It remains one of Brazil's most important paleontological and geological sites.
Guide du lieu
Vestibulo (Entrance Hall)
The first chamber fully illuminated by natural light, measuring 27m by 20m, filled with numerous stalagmites forming a natural wall with large quartz blocks.
Sala das Colunas (Room of Columns)
A 37m by 22.5m chamber featuring masses of stalagmites rising to the dome, with layers containing small bones and teeth.
Altar or Trono (Altar or Throne)
The largest chamber at 67m by 35m, featuring stalagmite bouquets and a 7.5m high figure resembling a bear on a pedestal.
Carneiro (Lamb)
An 18m by 20m chamber notable for its gypsum powder-covered ground and figures resembling a lamb and a giant mushroom.
Salão das Piscinas (Hall of Pools)
Measuring 23.5m square and 18m high, this deepest chamber contains a basin covered with fluorspar limestone crystals and stalagmites resembling ancient statues.
Salão das Fadas (Hall of the Fairies)
A 13m long chamber decorated with bright alabaster cascades and a delicate crust of white and colored calcium carbonate crystals, containing bones of large animals including mammoths.
Salão do Dr. Lund (Dr. Lund's Hall) and Salão do Cemitério (Cemetery Hall)
The seventh chamber is divided into two parts: Dr. Lund's Hall, rich in fossil bones, and the Cemetery Hall, the largest chamber measuring 162.5m.