Cuevas del Canelobre

The Cuevas del Canelobre are limestone caves on the northern slope of the Cabeçó d'Or mountain near Busot, among the largest in eastern Spain. The main chamber has a cathedral-like vault about 70 metres high, one of the tallest in the country.

The Canelobre Caves (Coves del Canelobre) lie at an altitude of about 700 metres on the northern slope of the Cabeçó d'Or range, in the municipality of Busot. The interior covers more than 80,000 m², and the vault of the main chamber rises to about 70 metres, one of the highest cave vaults in Spain. The limestone in which the cave formed dates from the Upper Jurassic and is roughly 145 million years old. The name comes from a large formation in the middle of the chamber shaped like a candelabrum ("canelobre" in Valencian); according to the town's tourism website, this stalagmite is over 100,000 years old. Another well-known formation, called the "Sagrada Familia", includes a column more than 25 metres tall. The discovery of the cave is attributed to the Arabs around the 10th century, although written records only appear in the 19th century. During the Spanish Civil War the Republican army used it as an aircraft repair workshop and dug the present access tunnel, about 45 metres long, as well as the interior platforms. The cave was opened to the public in the second half of the 20th century. Inside you will see stalactites, stalagmites, columns and jellyfish-like shapes, lit with coloured lights. Thanks to its excellent acoustics, the cave is used as a concert venue. Visits are guided, with groups going in every 40 minutes, and last about 40–45 minutes; according to some reviews, the guide speaks Spanish and an English translation is played from a recording. The temperature inside stays at a cool 17–18°C all year round, which makes the visit a good option on hot days too. Visitors point out the many steps, and one adds that some are wet and uneven, so the route can be hard for people with limited mobility. Photography is not allowed inside, something reviewers mention often. According to reviews, there is a car park, a gift shop, a snack bar and toilets at the cave, and one visitor praises the view from the visitor centre area. The visit combines well with a walk around the village of Busot and its Ethnic Music Museum, which shows a selection from a collection of more than 4,000 instruments from around the world and is about five minutes' drive from the cave. The Cabeçó d'Or range also has marked hiking trails for those who want a longer outing.