Marble caves of Chile. Marble caves in chile Marble caves in patagonia in chile
Marble Caves in Chile - a marvelous creation of nature. It is unlikely that a stone shimmering in all shades of blue can be found anywhere else in the world. Bright blue grottoes and caves are partially hidden under the same turquoise waters of Lake Carrera. The lake is located on the border of Argentina and Chile. Actually, the lake itself is a natural border. It belongs to both states and has two generally recognized names. But the Marble Caves themselves are entirely in Chilean possession.
The three main grottoes of the Marble Caves are the Cathedral (El Catedral), the Chapel (La Capilla) and the Cave (La Cueva). You can endlessly admire the elegant marble patterns on the walls. Although the caves are not made of marble at all, but of limestone rocks, shades of white and blue, as well as characteristic stains, gave this place its name. The vaults carved by water and wind into the thickness of the rocks are not inferior in beauty to the work of the greatest architects. Locals don't call it nature education other than a Cathedral or a Temple.
Thousands of tourists who share the opinion of the Chileans about the beauty and grandeur of the Marble Caves annually arrive in the town of Chile Chico. From here, pleasure boats take travelers to the walls of the “shrine” on the water. A large boat can no longer reach the labyrinths deep in the rocks. Research interior spaces You can visit the caves by boat or small kayak. However, for the excursion you will have to wait for calm weather, when the waters of Lake Carrera completely calm down.
The waters of the lake near the marble caves are home to countless trout and salmon. So the place is famous not only for its geological attractions. In addition to lovers of inspiring landscapes and natural beauty, more pragmatic fans of the art of fishing also come here.
Getting to the Marble Caves is not so easy. From the capital of Chile, Santiago, the path lies to the nearest Big City Coyhaique is 1300 kilometers, neither more nor less. Next you will have to overcome another 300 kilometers in south direction, where the wonderful lake is located.
The existence of this natural wonder is threatened by plans to build several dams. But for now the Marble Caves are safe and sound. Their pristine beauty, which was not created by man, combined with the crystal clear water of Lake Carrera and the delightful surroundings, makes one believe that paradise on earth can exist. And if this is true, it is located not far from the Marble Caves of Chile.
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One of the deepest lakes on the planet is located high in the Andes, on the border of Argentina and Chile. This lake has two names: the Argentinean Lago Buenos Aires and the Chilean Lago General Carrera. Both names are official, so if you are not a native of one of these neighboring countries, you can call the lake whatever you like. We will use the Chilean name, because the most amazing attraction is located on its Chilean coast, not far from the city of Chile Chico.
We are talking about the so-called Marble Cathedral (Las Cavernas de Marmol or Marble Cathedral) or the Marble Caves of Chile Chico. In fact, the walls of the amazing labyrinth, washed in the rocks of the peninsula that challenged the waters of Lago General Carrera, are not made of marble at all - the rocks of the peninsula are calcareous. However, the color scheme of the vaults of deep and through grottoes is dominated by white and bluish shades, which look very impressive against the background of turquoise water.
Enfilades of picturesque Marble Caves attract thousands of tourists to Chile Chico. Small pleasure boats take city guests to the miraculous Marble Cathedral on the water and even go under the arches of the spacious external halls of the cave labyrinth, allowing tourists to admire the magnificent creation of nature up close, to look through the windows that seem to have melted in the walls into the depths of the labyrinth of the Marble Caves, where the boat can no longer reach.
However, not all tourists flock to Lago General Carrera just for the picturesque Marble Caves of Chile Chico. Many people prefer to devote time to fishing - Lago Buenos Aires is also famous for the fact that its waters are home to an innumerable variety of fish, including salmon and trout.
To get to the Marble Caves, tourists need to travel 1,300 km from the capital of Chile, Santiago, to the nearest major city - Coyhaique. Then there is a 300 km long path to the south, which will lead to a lake with wonderful caves given to us by nature.
The Marble Caves of Chile Chico consist of several blue grottoes that are partially under the water of Lake Carrera. The bright blue colors of the caves of Patagonia and the turquoise water simply excite the imagination of any person who sees this creation of nature for the first time.
The lake itself is located on the border of the two countries of Argentina and Chile, but the marble caves are located precisely on the territory of Chile. Chile Chico has three main grottoes: the Chapel (La Capilla), the Cathedral (El Catedral) and the Cave (La Cueva).
Tourists can visit Chile Chico by small boat (2-4 people + coxswain) or kayak, but only when Lake Carrera is calm. Marble caves in this moment threatened by the human factor - the construction of 5 large dams in the lake area.
Location: Chile, Aisen region, Lago General Carrera.
Coordinates: 46° 39′ 32″ S 72° 37′ 36″ W
The pristine beauty of the marble rocks combined with the crystal clear water of the alpine lake creates the impression that heaven does exist on earth.
Scientists have found that the grottoes, which consist entirely of natural marble, contain metamorphosed limestone. Moreover, this component is so strong that marble can be used to create sculptures. In addition to its mesmerizing beauty, the Marble Caves are the largest marble deposit on the planet. Reserves of this natural mineral are estimated at 5,000 million tons. Lake Carrera itself is one of the ten deepest lakes in the world - its depth reaches 590 meters, and its area is approximately 1850 square kilometers. The Chilean government has long used the caves for marble extraction. According to geologists, marble mining should be stopped in the near future so that tourists from different countries peace.
Location: Chile, Lake Buenos Aires
Coordinates: 46°39"52.6"S 72°38"02.4"W
Short description
One of the most the most beautiful places on our vast planet is located on the border of Chile and Argentina in the Patagonian Andes. A fabulous creation created by nature itself is located in South America in one of the deepest lakes in the world - Buenos Aires.
Locals majestically call it the Marble Cathedral, but in many tourist brochures it is referred to as Las Cavernas de Marmol or the Marble Caves of Chile. This is the most striking and memorable attraction of Patagonia, which is visited annually by tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world.
The pristine beauty of the blue-blue rocks, shimmering in the crystal clear waters of the lake, according to most travelers who have seen this miracle of nature, makes one believe that paradise on earth still exists. I would like to note that in some sources you can find information that Las Cavernas de Marmol are located in the waters of Lake General Carrera (Lago General Carrera). This is not a mistake or a typo, the whole point is in the territorial location of the marble caves: General Carrera is the Chilean name, Buenos Aires, as you might guess, is Argentine.
Marble caves of Chile: beauty created by nature itself
The intricate labyrinths of the Marble Caves will not leave any traveler indifferent. The grandeur and some unearthly beauty of the carved marble vaults, which on a sunny day is emphasized by the bright rays of the sun peeking here and there, is a truly unforgettable sight. The reflections of light in the emerald blue water, as if playing in a lake, create amazing optical illusions every second. That is why Marble caves look different on a bright sunny day and in cloudy weather.
The variability of the water level, which is caused by the seasonal melting of glaciers, also contributes to the “reincarnation” of the fantastic tunnels of the cave.
Travelers who have already visited this amazing corner advise all those who are just deciding to go to Chile to the marble caves to make their excursion before the beginning of spring.
During this period of time, the low water level in the caves allows curious tourists to take advantage pleasure boats provided by local guides and enjoy the splendor of nature inside the caves. A walk under the arches of the miraculous Marble Cathedral on the water allows you to see this miracle of nature up close, look into the so-called “dark windows” of the cave, which are more reminiscent of an endless tunnel. However, who lives there remains a mystery to tourists, because a boat can no longer get deep into the caves...
As mentioned above, the color scheme of the caves changes depending on the time of year and day, but various mineral impurities in the walls give Las Cavernas de Marmol an unearthly splendor. During the period of melting glaciers, the lake water becomes cloudy and therefore the rocks and caves are “painted” in muted tones. Some travelers on cloudy days see the Marble Cathedral as resembling a dark and mysterious ghost. All shades of blue decorate the caves of Chile in the summer, when mountain lake glistens in the rays of the bright sun.
This paradise attracts tourists from all over the world not only with the opportunity to enjoy and touch the splendor of picturesque caves created by nature itself, but also with the opportunity to spend free time for his favorite pastime - fishing. Lake Lago Buenos Aires is famous throughout the world for its diversity of fish, including salmon and trout, which can only live in the purest water.
Marble caves in Chile are recognized as the largest marble deposits on earth. Some scientists believe that the weight of the precious marble found here is about 5,000,000 tons(!).
Marble caves in Chile: a reminder for tourists
To be in this amazing place travelers will need patience and time, because the Marble Caves are located at a considerable distance from the capital of Chile, Santiago. Tourists who decide to visit Las Cavernas de Marmol will first need to cover a distance of 1,300 kilometers from Santiago to Coyhaique, and then another 300 kilometers (!) to the location of the Marble Caves. However, all the difficulties associated with the flight and the trip, the accumulated fatigue are instantly forgotten and disappear as soon as the traveler finds himself in close proximity to the majestic and magnificent Marble Caves, created by the invisible “breath” of nature.