The São Vicente Caves (Grutas de São Vicente in Portuguese) are caves located in the parish and county of
São Vicente, Madeira. Entrance is charged at €8 for adults, but have been closed since March 2020.
History
These caves were formed around 890,000 years ago from a volcanic eruption in
Paul da Serra that ran down to the sea. Thus, the outside, exposed to lower temperatures solidified rapidly while the inner liquid continued to run with many gases, forming a series of
lava tubes
A lava tube, more rarely called a pyroduct, is a 'roofed conduit through which molten lava travels away from its vent'. If lava in the tube drains out, it will leave an empty cave. Lava tubes are common in low-viscosity volcanic systems. La ...
, which today constitute the caves of São Vicente.
They were first discovered in 1885, by local people who informed
James Yate Johnson
James Yate Johnson (c. 1820, in Kendal, Westmorland – 2 February 1900, in Funchal) was an English naturalist.
Johnson lived in Madeira from around 1851, studied marine fish, crustacea, sea anemones and sponges and terrestrial spiders, flowerin ...
an English naturalist in Madeira who explored the caves further.
The caves were opened to the public on 1 of October 1996, being one of the first caves of volcanic origins to be opened to the public in Portugal.
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See also
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Furnas do Cavalum
The Furnas do Cavalum (Caves of Cavalum in English) are a group of four caves located in Machico, Madeira. Named after a local legend about a demon called Cavalum, who was imprisoned in the cave.
These lava tube
A lava tube, more rarely ...
References
External links
Official website
Caves of Portugal
Landforms of Madeira
Show caves in Madeira
Volcanism of Madeira
Lava tubes
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