The Drach Caves: Discover its secrets

The famous Drach Caves are located in the municipality of Manacor, near the town of Porto Cristo. They are 4 large, interconnected caves that reach a depth of 25 m and a length of 2.4 km. Either because of their extraordinary rock formations or because of their turquoise lakes, they are considered a true underground paradise. In fact, they are one of the most visited places in Mallorca.

If you want to know more details about this natural jewel, in this post we invite you to discover all its charms, geology, history and legends. Shall we go inside?

History, literature and legend of the Drach caves

Drach comes from 'dragon', the protagonist of one of the most magical stories of the Balearic Islands. Legend has it that a valuable treasure is still hidden in a secret place in the Drach Caves. In ancient times, pirates and buccaneers explored the dark passages of this cave in search of such precious booty. But the dragon guarding the treasure appeared furious before the brave men who tried to plunder it.

Walls and pottery fragments have left evidence that the caves were inhabited since prehistoric times, although the first written record dates from 1338. It is a message from Rubenach, the governor of the island at the time, and he referred to the caves as "Cova Vella" (ancient cave). The name "Drach" does not appear until 1632 in a book entitled "Historia del Reino de Mallorca" (History of the Kingdom of Mallorca) by the chronicler Dameto. The caves were first explored in the 19th century, when cartographer and speleologist M.F. Will drew the first map of the cave. In 1896, E.A. Martel discovered new cavities and a huge underground lake.

The famous writer Jules Verne, known for his novel "Journey to the Centre of the Earth", also visited the caves. He described them as the most beautiful caves in the world. He was probably hypnotised by the stalactites and stalagmites, a spectacle of colours and shapes that transport visitors into a world of fantasy. On the one hand, their tonalities vary due to the minerals carried by the water. On the other hand, when they merge into each other, they produce very peculiar shapes. All this, together with the turquoise lakes, forms an underground paradise that conquered the adventurous writer. In fact, Drach's caves served as inspiration for his novel "Clovis Dardentor".

Caves and lakes of the Drach Caves

At a depth of 25 metres, between corridors and staircases, are the four caves that together form the Drach Caves: the Black Cave, the White Cave, the Cave of Ludwig Salvator and the Cave of the French. They also house six lakes. Their waters take on different hues depending on their depth, which, together with the particular and strange rock silhouettes, create a magical landscape.

The largest lake is Martel Lake (115 metres long and 30 metres wide), whose name honours the speleologist who discovered it: E.A. Martel. It is one of the largest underground lakes in the world and is home to a small, blind, transparent crustacean found nowhere else on earth. Indeed, the climatic conditions here are unique.

The interior of the Drach Caves has a special microclimate. Inside the cave, the temperature is constant all year round, averaging 18-20 degrees Celsius. And the water is partly salty, as the caves are connected to the sea. In fact, the level of these waters varies according to the swell and thus also according to the phases of the moon.

Unforgettable spectacles in a unique setting.

Between 1922 and 1935, the Drach Caves were prepared for visits. Paths and stairs were laid out and a new entrance was opened. Worth mentioning is the electric lighting, designed in 1935 by the Catalan engineer C. Buigas, who also conceived the impressive fountains of Monjuïc in Barcelona. The artist creates a play of light that, in combination with the colours of the water and the rocks, gives the place a dreamlike atmosphere.

With a distance of about 1,200 metres, the visit takes about an hour. It includes a boat trip across Lake Martel, where music concerts are held in the auditorium, so visitors can admire the beauty of the lake accompanied by a quartet consisting of two violinists, a cellist and a harmonica player. Thanks to the acoustics and lighting effects of the place, the show offers an unforgettable experience.

From La Pérgola, we can highly recommend this visit. We dare say that there is absolutely no one who has not fallen for the charm of the famous Drach Caves. The spectacle of colours, the extraordinary rock formations and the magic will stay with you forever.

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