In Berlin, we have now left the rain behind us and can reward ourselves with short trips to fabulous areas close to the city – or go on a voyage of discovery to fascinating lost places. These include an abandoned sanatorium where scenes for “The Pianist” were filmed, or a town that was forbidden in the GDR era. The search for lost places within Berlin is also worthwhile – abandoned amusement parks and old swimming pools have stood here for decades and will soon reopen. Of course, Berlin is always worth a visit – but for that real vacation feeling, many people head to Spain in summer. And for good reason: consistently sunny weather, delicious cuisine, a first-class selection of water parks, fantastic beaches, hidden coves and caves that look like they’ve come straight out of a picture book. These include the famous dragon cave “Cuevas del Drach” on Mallorca – an island that many Germans call their second home. Most of the corners of the dream island are probably already familiar to most people, but have you heard of this million-year-old cave?
Cuevas del Drach
Around 50 kilometers from Palma de Mallorca, near Porto Cristo in Manacor, lies the famous dragon cave “Cuevas del Drach”. One of the most famous sights on the island, the fascinating cave system impresses with four interconnected caves: Cueva Negra, Cueva Blanca, Cueva de Luis Salvador and Cueva de los Franceses. They reach down to a depth of 25 meters and extend over a total of 2.4 kilometers. Visitors can expect a world of impressive stalactites, stalagmites and bizarre rock formations, complemented by turquoise-colored underground lakes – above all the famous Lago Martel (115 × 30 m), one of the largest underground lakes in the world. Its depths are home to a unique, blind species of crustacean that can only be found here.
The name “Drach” (“dragon”) goes back to a legend according to which a dragon once guarded a treasure in the cave that pirates and adventurers were looking for. The first written records date back to 1338, with the current name appearing in 1632. The cave was further explored in the 19th century, including by E. A. Martel, who discovered new areas. The beauty of the Cuevas del Drach also fascinated the French writer Jules Verne, who was inspired to write a novel about it.
With a constant microclimate of 18-20 degrees and a connection to the sea, the water in the Cuevas del Drach is sometimes salty and fluctuates with the tides. Between 1922 and 1935, new paths, stairs and an additional entrance were built. In 1935, engineer Carles Buïgas installed a fascinating light show which, together with the water colors and the bizarre rock formations, creates a magical atmosphere.
Boat tour
The boat tour in the Cuevas del Drach takes you across the Lago Martel, which lies around 25 meters below the earth’s surface and is around 115 meters long and 30 meters wide. It was discovered in 1896 by French speleologist Édouard-Alfred Martel, after whom it is named. The boat trip is an integral part of the tour and does not have to be booked separately. Visitors can expect not only a fantastic view, but also magical acoustics: a quartet of two violins, a cello and a harmonium play on a boat that glides slowly across the lake. The special acoustics of the cave room and the subtle lighting create an almost fairytale-like atmosphere.
Afterwards, guests can get into small rowing boats and explore the lake on their own to the sound of classical music. If you prefer not to, you can also watch the scenery from the shore. Whether on the water or on land – from both perspectives, it is a sight straight out of a picture book. You can purchase tickets to visit the caves via the official Cuevas del Drach website. The price includes the complete tour, the classical concert on Lago Martel and the subsequent boat trip.