The caves of s'Ermità

A kilometre away from the coastal village of Canyamel, in the area of Cap Vermell within the municipal area of Capdepera, are the Coves de s'Ermità, also known as the Cuevas de Artà since they belonged to Artà until the Capdepera was founded as an independent municipality in the XIX century.

The caves, situated 150 metres high, were not discovered until the beginning of the XIX century. Since then many relevant people have visited them, such as the poet, Costa i Llobera, who dedicated his work, "La deixa del geni grect" to the caves, or the archduke Luis Salvador of Austria, who described his visit to the place in minute detail in "Die Balearen". Since the era of the Archduke Luis Salvador, whose visit was carried out with paraffin lamps, the caves have been lit which nowadays permits a visit to the caves in less than an hour to see the impressive 'halls' and the spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, particularly the outstanding "Reina de las columnas" (Queen of Columns) over 20 metres high. Another incentive to visit is the privileged view over the bay of Canyamel that can be seen from the caves.

The visit to the caves is accompanied by a guide who gives explanations in several languages and the ticket costs 8 euros or 4 euros for children between 7 and 12, free for 6 and under. The visiting times in the summer months are between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and the rest of the year between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. In the summer a boat leaves from Cala Rajada to visit the caves.

More information:

Cuevas de Artà (Coves de s'Ermità)
Carretera de les Coves, s/n
Capdepera
Tel. 971 84 12 93

Date of publication: 27/08/2002

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