Exploring the Arrikrutz Caves

In the Aizkorri mountain range of Gipuzkoa province, the Caves of Arrikrutz conceal a world that is both fascinating and ancient. Opened to the public in 2007, the caves are part of the Arrikrutz complex, which includes four other cave systems. The caves, located in the karst complex of Gesaltza-Arrikrutz, consist of a total of 14 kilometers of subterranean galleries filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Divided into six levels, each offers unique natural formations that have inspired both respect and irresistible attraction.

But it's not just the natural formations that make these caves special. Arrikrutz has provided the setting for some of the pioneering caving and paleontological research in the Basque Country. The caves contain inscriptions, such as the names Arantzazu and Araotz, and remains of animals, including bears. These remains hint at a history that extends back to prehistoric times, with fragments of teeth and bones found in the caves revealing a record of human activity in the region thousands of years ago.

The caves have also been home to a variety of animal life, from bats to bears, and today serve as a sanctuary for a number of protected species.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata