St. Michael's Cave
A natural cathedral of stone.
The cave has welcomed visitors for over two thousand years. Romans came here, and so did soldiers, concert-goers and geologists.
Drop by drop, water carried limestone atom by atom to build curtains, columns and tiered pools over half a million years.
Today colour changes slowly on the stone as hidden lights shift. Stand still for a minute. Listen. The cave was here long before us, and will stay long after.
Where to listen
- Listen at the entrance terrace before you go down: inside, the lighting and music take over.
- It is a good guide for a rainy morning, when the cave is the most comfortable stop on the Rock.
What to look for
- The sliced stalagmite that shows the cave's growth rings like a tree trunk.
- The auditorium seating: the main chamber is still used for concerts.
- Water seeping along the walls — the same process that carved the whole chamber.