Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park
The National Park Grutas de Cacahuamilpa is a cave system in Mexico near the town of Taxco, which was declared a National Park.
Description
The Grutas de Cacahuamilpa is one of the largest active cave systems in the world, which means that there is still filtered groundwater and the stalactite is still growing. The input is a 40 -meter wide and 12 meter high arch. From the entrance, a path takes about twenty feet down into the cave. Inside the cave system are 90 large rooms, which are separated by rocky walls, but connected via a central gallery. Only about twenty are fully explored and the public. Most of these rooms are located under the limestone ridge of Cerro de la Corona. They are an average of about forty feet wide and reach heights 20-81 meters. Most have names such as the Throne Room, Hall of the Cathedral or the auditorium. The latter has a large flat bottom, has been equipped with seats and is used for events.
History
Parts of the cave system have been known for centuries and has been used already in pre-Columbian times. Excavations shards were found that prove this. In the field of Grutas was home to the Olmec and later the Chontal of the people. Both peoples used the caves for ceremonial purposes. The original name of the caves was Salachi - the present name Cacahuamilpa ( peanut field ) refers to a place nearby.
After the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards, the existence of the cave of the indigenous peoples was kept secret. First post- Columbian discovery of the caves Manuel Sainz de la Peña Miranda was. In 1866, Dominik Bilimek and Maximilian von Habsburg took the first biospeläologischen visit the cave. In 1922, surveyed and mapped the micro paleontologist and cavers Federico Bonet Marco the cave to a length of 1,380 meters. Later it was expanded to the public over the years and made accessible for tourists. The first scientific expedition took place in 1935. It was finally declared in 1936 by President Lázaro Cárdenas to National Park. First tours were offered in 1969. In 1987, the opening of the cave system of four was expanded to five kilometers.
Saga
In one room, a grave exists. The story reported that an Englishman was killed while exploring and finally had to starve. He was accompanied by his dog, which he to get help, also sent. However, no one has given outside the cave the dog attention, so this again returned to the cave and with his master died together. When the remains were found, they buried them there. Among rocks and a simple cross