20101120 The Famous Caves of Jeita Grotto (2)

The Famous Caves of Jeita Grotto



Today visitors can walk through the "upper galleries" but must go by boat to explore the lower level. The thunderous noise from the waterfall at the cave entrance fades into the distance as boats travel deep into the cave.


Sculptures in stone
The upper level, with its three massive chambers, boasts the world's biggest stalactite at 8.2 meters and captivating stone formations. Visitors gaze on ancient rocks that look like giant mushrooms, chandeliers, frozen waterfalls, ice castles and more. Many of the formations have been aptly named for the images they best represent – like the famous "Romeo and Juliet" and the "Pisa Tower" formations.


So many raindrops
While most people marvel at the grottoes' stone formations, scientists explain how they came into existence. Over thousands of years, dripping water fell into crevices in the limestone, gradually widening the cracks and eventually creating open spaces under the earth. Over time, calcium-rich water dripping from the ceiling formed the stalactites and stalagmites that people see today. Visitors to Jeita Grotto witness a masterpiece of water and time. Jeita Grotto is the only cave among the finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature competition.