Canelobre Cave

Canalobre Cave (Valencian: Cova dels Canelobres; Spanish: Cueva de Canelobre)^[a] is a karst cave located in the small municipality of Busot, Alicante Province, in the Valencian Community of Spain. It has an estimated area of at least 18,950 m² (204,000 sq ft).^[1] It is one of the largest and one of the most popular caves in the Valencian Community.^[2][3]

Artificially lit grotto inside the Canelobre Cave

The entrance to the cave is at the elevation of about 700 m (2,300 ft) on the northern slopes of the mountain ridge known as Cabeçó d'Or. The cave is known for a large vault of 70 m (230 ft) height similar in shape to a cathedral. The cave contains a wide variety of speleothems, including stalactites, coralloids, stalagmites, flowstones, draperies, columns, helictites, gours, spars, crusts and flowers.^[4] Most are formed of calcite, though some in the lower areas are sulfate-based.^[4][5]

Researchers have studied several aspects in the caves, including its microclimate and drip water.^[2][3]

Notes

1. Pronunciation,
   Valencian: [ˈkɔva ðels kaneˈlɔbɾes], locally [ˈkɔvɔ ðe(l)s kaneˈlɔbɾes]
   Spanish: [ˈkweβa ðe kaneˈloβɾe]