Caves of Hercules

Moroccan cultural heritage site

Caves of Hercules

Location| Cape Spartel, Morocco
Coordinates| 35°45′37″N 05°56′21″W﻿ / ﻿35.76028°N 5.93917°W﻿ / 35.76028; -5.93917[1]
Geology| Limestone
Entrances| 2[1]
Show cave opened| 1920[1]
Lighting| Electric[1]

The Caves of Hercules is an archaeological cave complex located in Cape Spartel, Morocco.

## Location

[edit]

Situated 14 kilometres (9 mi) west of Tangier, the popular tourist attraction is adjacent to the summer palace of the King of Morocco.

### Topography

[edit]

The cave has two openings, one to the sea and one to land. The sea opening is known as "The Map of Africa." It is believed that the Phoenicians created the sea opening, which is in the shape of Africa when looked at from the sea. There are also some markings on the wall in the shape of eyes, that are said to have been made by the Phoenicians, which make up a map of the local area.[citation needed]

The cave itself is part natural and part man-made. The man-made part was used by Berber people to cut stone wheels from the walls, to make millstones, thus expanding the cave considerably.[2]

## Legend

[edit]

The Caves of Hercules

The cave was long thought to be bottomless. It was believed that the cave is one end of a subterranean ley tunnel over 24 kilometres (15 mi) long which passes under the Strait of Gibraltar and emerges at St. Michael's Cave in Gibraltar. Legend has it that the Barbary macaques came to the Rock of Gibraltar from Morocco this way.[3]

Mythological tradition also holds that the Greek god Heracles stayed and slept in this cave before doing his 11th labour, (one of the 12 labours which King Eurystheus of Tiryns had given to him) which was to get golden apples from the Hesperides Garden, which some ancient Greek writers said was located nearby at Lixus (one of the cities of Larache) .[4][5][6]

According to some Roman sources,[7] while on his way to the garden of the Hesperides, Hercules had to cross the mountain that was once Atlas. Instead of climbing the great mountain, Hercules used his superhuman strength to smash through it. By doing so, he connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and formed the Strait of Gibraltar. One part of the split mountain is Gibraltar and the other is either Monte Hacho in Ceuta or Jebel Musa (known as the Mons Abyla in classical times) in Morocco.[8] These two mountains taken together have since then been known as the Pillars of Hercules, though other natural features have been associated with the name.[9] Diodorus Siculus,[10] however, held that instead of smashing through an isthmus to create the Straits of Gibraltar, Hercules narrowed an already existing strait to prevent monsters from the Atlantic Ocean from entering the Mediterranean Sea.

The Greek mythology version is that Heracles went to Atlas and offered to hold up the heavens while Atlas got the apples from the garden of his daughters, the Hesperides which was also guarded by the dragon Ladon. Upon his return with the apples, however, Atlas attempted to trick Heracles into carrying the sky permanently by offering to deliver the apples himself, as anyone who purposely took the burden must carry it forever, or until someone else took it away. Heracles, suspecting Atlas did not intend to return, pretended to agree to Atlas' offer, asking only that Atlas take the sky again for a few minutes so Heracles could rearrange his cloak as padding on his shoulders. When Atlas set down the apples and took the heavens upon his shoulders again, Heracles took the apples and ran away.

## History

[edit]

In 6000 BC, the Caves of Hercules were inhabited by Neolithic people.

In 1920, the caves were officially opened to the public. They were declared a National Heritage site in 1952. In 1982, electric lights were installed in the caves.

In 1986, the ashes of Brion Gysin, a renowned artist and writer, were scattered in the caves.[11]

On October 23, 1995, British rock group Def Leppard played a concert in the cave (along with concerts in London and Vancouver, Canada), thereby becoming the first rock group to play three concerts on three continents in one day. The achievement was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records.[12]

On 20 December 2003, the caves were closed to the public due to a rockfall caused by nearby construction work, necessitating repairs and ensuring visitor safety. In January 2004, the caves were reopened to the public.[13] In October 2015, the caves reopened after a renovation commissioned by King Mohammed VI.

## See also

[edit]

* Cave of Hercules
* Pillars of Hercules

## References

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Caves of Hercules, Tanger.

1. ^ a b c d Duckeck, Jochen. "Grottes d'Hercules". Show Caves of the World. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
2. ^ Clammer, Paul (2009). Morocco (9th ed.). Footscray, Vic.: Lonely Planet. p. 186\. ISBN 978-1741049718.
3. ^ "Visit Gibraltar". Visit Gibraltar.
4. ^ "Grottes D'Hercule "Cave of Hercules" in Morocco". Archived from the original on 2011-11-17. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
5. ^ "Morocco.com | Grottoes of Hercules, Tangier". www.morocco.com. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
6. ^ "Caves of Hercules". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
7. ^ Seneca, Hercules Furens 235ff.; Seneca, Hercules Oetaeus 1240; Pliny, Nat. Hist. iii.4.
8. ^ "GIBRALTAR NEANDERTHAL CAVES AND ENVIRONMENTS" (PDF). World Heritage Site Nomination. 1: Nomination Dossier.
9. ^ "Close to the Pillars there are two isles, one of which they call Hera's Island; moreover, there are some who call also these isles the Pillars." (Strabo, 3.5.3.); see also H. L. Jones' gloss on this line in the Loeb Classical Library.
10. ^ Diodorus 4.18.5.
11. ^ "Felicity Mason/Anne Cumming – A Brief Biography and Interview – Jennie Skerl". European Beat Studies Network. 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
12. ^ "Tangier: Hercules Cave (Grottes d'Hercules)". Retrieved 2013-07-05. "AP Archive".
13. ^ MATIN, LE. "La réouverture au public est prévu cette semaine : les Grottes d'Hercule de Tanger ne présentent aucun danger pour les visiteurs". lematin.ma (in French). Retrieved 2023-06-07.

* v
* t
* e

Prehistoric cave sites, rock shelters and cave paintings

* Paleoanthropological sites
* Cave paintings
* Caves containing pictograms

Europe

| Austria|

* Drachenhöhle
* Gudenus
* Lurgrotte
* Salzofen
* Tischofer

|

Belgium|

* Belle-Roche
* Claminforge
* Engis
* Goyet
* Naulette
* Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes
* Ramioul
* Scladina
* Spy
* Trou de l'Abîme

Bosnia|

* Badanj
* Ledenjača

Bulgaria|

* Bacho Kiro
* Devetashka
* Kozarnika
* Magura
* Utroba Cave

Croatia|

* Grapčeva
* Krapina
* Vela Spila
* Vindija
* Romuald's Cave
* Velika peć
* Veternica

Cyprus|

* Aetokremnos

Czech Republic|

* Amatérská
* Býčí skála
* Koněprusy
* Kůlna
* Mladeč
* Šipka

Finland|

* Wolf

France|

Vézère Valley World Heritage Site
Bara Bahau
Bernifal
Cap Blanc
Castel Merle

Abri Castanet
Reverdit
Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil
Abri Audi
Abri Chadourne
Les Combarelles
Cro-Magnon
Font-de-Gaume
Laugerie-Basse
Laugerie-Haute
La Micoque
La Mouthe
Pataud
Abri du Poisson
Lascaux
La Madeleine
Rouffignac

Other World Heritage Sites
Chauvet

Other caves with decoration
Arcy-sur-Cure
Gargas
Cosquer
Cussac
Fontéchevade
La Chaire a Calvin
La Marche
Lombrives
Grotte de Gabillou
Marsoulas
Mas d'Azil
Mayrières supérieure
Niaux
Pair-non-Pair
Pech Merle
Roc-aux-Sorciers
Renne
Trois Frères
Villars

Other caves
Arago
Aurignac
Azé
Balauzière
Bonne-Femme
Bouillon
Bruniquel
Calès
Cauna
La Chapelle-aux-Saints
Combe Grenal
La Ferrassie
Fées
Fontbrégoua
Lazaret
Le Moustier
Noisetier
La Quina
Raymonden
Le Regourdou
Rochereil
Vallonnet

Germany|

Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura World Heritage Site
Bockstein
Geissenklösterle
Hohle Fels
Hohlenstein-Stadel
Sirgenstein
Vogelherd

Other caves
Baumann's
Brillenhöhle
Kleine Feldhofer
Lichtenstein
Ofnet

Gibraltar|

* Devil's Tower
* Gorham's
* Vanguard

Greece|

* Alepotrypa
* Apidima
* Asphendou
* Eileithyia
* Franchthi
* Kleidi
* Megalakkos
* Petralona
* Stravomyti
* Theopetra

Hungary|

* Baradla
* Szelim

Italy|

* Addaura
* Arene Candide
* Balzi Rossi
* Cavallo
* Corbeddu
* Deer
* Felci
* Paglicci
* Romito
* Villabruna

Jersey|

* St Brelade

Kosovo|

* Bukuroshja e Fjetur

Luxembourg|

* Loschbur

Malta|

* Għar Dalam

North Macedonia|

* Cocev Kamen

Norway|

* Svarthola

Poland|

* Obłazowa
* Paradise

Portugal|

* Aroeira
* Escoural
* Furninha
* Lagar Velho
* Pala Pinta
* Pedra Furada
* Pego do Diabo
* Salemas

Romania|

* Coliboaia
* Cuciulat
* Muierilor
* Oase

Russia|

* Akhshtyrskaya
* Chertovy Vorota
* Denisova
* Ignatievka
* Shulgan-Tash World Heritage site
* Mezmaiskaya
* Okladnikov

Serbia|

* Hadži-Prodan's
* Pešturina
* Risovača
* Mala Balanica and Velika Balanica

Slovakia|

* Čertova pec
* Domica
* Jasovská

Slovenia|

* Betal
* Divje Babe
* Pekel
* Potok

Spain|

Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain World Heritage Site
Altamira
Caves in Cantabria

Chufín
Covalanas
La Garma
Hornos de la Peña
Monte Castillo

El Castillo
Las Chimeneas
Las Monedas
La Pasiega
El Pendo
Tito Bustillo
Altxerri
Santimamiñe
Los Aviones

Rock art of the Iberian Mediterranean Basin World Heritage Site)
Araña
Roca dels Moros

Other World Heritage Sites
Atapuerca
Siega Verde

Other caves with decoration
Bacinete
Barranc del Migdia
Las Caldas
Los Casares
Maltravieso
los Murciélagos
Nerja
Niño
Ojo Guareña
Peñas de Cabrera
la Pileta
Praileaitz
Sidrón

Other caves
Ángel
Antón
Armintxe
Axlor
Bedmar
dels Bous
Don Gaspar
Guanches
El Mirón
Santa Catalina
del Valle

Switzerland|

* Bichon
* Wildkirchli

Ukraine|

* Verteba

United Kingdom|

* Aveline's Hole
* Bontnewydd
* Cathole
* Coygan
* Creswell Crags
* Gough's
* Heathery Burn
* High Pasture
* Kendrick's
* Kents
* Long Hole
* Marble Arch
* Oldbury
* Portbraddon
* Red Lady of Paviland
* Sand
* Thor's
* Windmill Hill

Asia

| Afghanistan|

* Darra-e Kur

|

Armenia|

* Areni-1

Azerbaijan|

* Allar
* Azykh
* Buzeyir
* Damjili
* Tağlar
* Zar
* Gazma

Cambodia|

* Laang Spean

China|

* Baishiya
* Fuyan
* Guanyindong
* Luobi
* Tianyuan
* Xianren
* Yuchanyan
* Zhoukoudian
* Zengpiyan
* Zhiren

East Timor|

* Jerimalai
* Laili
* Lene Hara

Georgia|

* Satsurblia

India|

* Ambadevi
* Belum
* Bhimbetka
* Edakkal
* Gudiyam
* Pahargarh
* Tikla

Indonesia|

* Harimau
* Jeriji Saléh
* Liang Bua
* Pettakere

Iran|

* Bisitun
* Darband
* Do-Ashkaft
* Eshkaft-e Siahoo
* Huto and Kamarband
* Qaleh Bozi
* Warwasi
* Wezmeh
* Yafteh

Iraq|

* Hazar Merd
* Shanidar

Israel|

* Amud
* HaYonim
* Kebara
* Manot
* Misliya
* Nahal Me'arot
* El Wad
* Jamal
* Skhul
* Tabun
* Nahal Hemar
* Nahal Oren
* Qafzeh
* Qesem
* Raqefet
* Zuttiyeh

Japan|

* Kosegasawa
* Minatogawa
* Muroya
* Ōzakai
* Pinza-Abu
* Shiraho Saonetabaru
* Tobayama
* Yamashita

Jordan|

* Iraq ed-Dubb

Laos|

* Tham An Mah
* Tam Pa Ling

Lebanon|

* Antelias
* Jeita
* Kaukaba
* Ksar Akil
* Ras Baalbek I
* Ras El Kelb
* Nachcharini

Malaysia|

* Niah

Mongolia|

* Khoit Tsenkher

Myanmar|

* Padah-Lin

Pakistan|

* Sanghao

Palestine|

* Shuqba

Philippines|

* Callao
* Guyangan
* Kalanay
* Minori
* Lapuz Lapuz
* Tabon

Sri Lanka|

* Batadombalena
* Belilena
* Fa Hien
* Hunugalagala

Thailand|

* Pha Taem
* Spirit
* Tham Lod

Turkmenistan|

Dzhebel

Turkey|

* Belbaşı
* Karain
* Yarımburgaz

Uzbekistan|

* Obi-Rakhmat
* Teshik-Tash

Vietnam|

* Con Moong
* Ngườm

Africa

| Algeria|

* Gueldaman

|

Botswana|

* Tsodilo
* Manyana Rock Paintings

Cameroon|

* Shum Laka

DR Congo|

* Matupi

Egypt|

* Beasts
* Swimmers

Kenya|

* Enkapune Ya Muto
* Njoro River

Lesotho|

* Liphofung

Libya|

* Haua Fteah
* Uan Muhuggiag

Morocco|

* Hercules
* Ifri N'Ammar
* Ifri N'Amr Ou Moussa
* Ifri Oudadane
* Jebel Irhoud
* Kelif el Boroud
* Taforalt

Mozambique|

* Ngalue

Namibia|

* Apollo 11
* The White Lady

Nigeria|

* Rop

Somaliland|

* Dhambalin
* Dhaymoole
* Laas Geel

South Africa|

Cradle of Humankind, World Heritage Site
Bolt's Farm
Cooper's
Drimolen
Gladysvale
Gondolin
Haasgat
Kromdraai
Makapansgat
Malapa
Minnaar's
Motsetsi
Plovers Lake
Rising Star
Sterkfontein
Swartkrans

Other caves
Blombos
Border
Boomplaas
Byneskranskop
Cango
Diepkloof
Elands Bay
Howieson's Poort
Klasies River
Melkhoutboom
Nelson Bay
Pinnacle Point
Sibudu
Stadsaal
Wonderwerk

Tanzania|

* Kondoa
* Bahi
* Mumba

Uganda|

* Nyero

Zambia|

* Kalemba
* Mumbwa

Zimbabwe|

* Bambata

North and South America

| Argentina|

* Cueva de las Manos

|

Aruba|

* Quadiriki

Belize|

* Actun Tunichil Muknal
* Barton Creek
* Midnight Terror

Brazil|

* Gentio
* Maquiné
* Pedra Pintada
* Peruaçu
* Rei do Mato
* Santo
* Toca da Tira Peia

Canada|

* Bluefish
* Charlie Lake

Chile|

* Fell
* Milodón

Colombia|

* El Abra
* Chiribiquete
* Piedras del Tunjo
* Sáchica
* Tequendama
* Tibitó

Cuba|

* Ambrosio
* Calero
* Centella
* Cura
* Patana
* Pluma

Curaçao|

* Hato

Dominican Republic|

* Pomier

Jamaica|

* Long Mile

Mexico|

* Chan Hol
* Coxcatlan
* Dzibilchaltún
* Las Flechas
* Frightful
* Guilá Naquitz
* Ox Bel Ha
* Oxtotitlán
* Sac Actun

Peru|

* Chivateros
* Guitarrero
* Pikimachay
* Qillqatani
* Toquepala
* T'uqu T'uquyuq

Suriname|

* Werehpai

United States|

* Arnold Research
* Baker
* Bonfire
* Bull Thistle
* Burnet
* Cherry Creek
* Colorado Millennial
* Danger
* Daugherty's
* Dry Creek
* Durango
* Dust
* Dutchess Quarry
* Fort Rock
* Franktown
* Gatecliff
* Graham
* Hidden
* Hidden Valley
* Hogup
* Humboldt
* La Grange
* Last Supper
* Levi
* LoDaisKa
* Lovelock
* Mammoth
* Mantle's
* Marmes
* Martz
* Meadowcroft
* Modoc
* Mummy
* On Your Knees
* Paisley
* Pendejo
* Pictograph
* Rockhouse Cliffs
* Russell
* Sandia
* Shoup
* Sisyphus
* Stanfield-Worley
* Tainter
* Tomaquag
* Trail Creek
* Trinchera
* Ventana
* Wilson Butte

Oceania

| Australia|

* Abrakurrie
* Acheron
* Ballawinne
* Beeton Shelter
* Beginner's Luck
* Blanche
* Bone
* Burrup
* Cave Bay
* Cliefden
* Cloggs
* Devil's Lair
* Eagles Reach
* Fossil
* Gabarnmung
* Gwion Gwion
* Jenolan
* Koongine
* Koonalda
* Kutikina
* Mackintosh 90/1
* Madjedbebe
* Mammoth
* Mannalargenna
* Mudgegonga
* Murrawijinie
* Murujuga
* Naracoorte
* New Guinea II
* Nunamira
* ORS 7
* Tarragal
* Ubirr
* Wargata Mina
* Warratyi
* Warreen
* Wellington

|

Guam|

* Gadao's
* Mahlac
* Talagi

Hawaii|

* Makauwahi

New Caledonia|

* Pindai

New Zealand|

* Moncks
* Ruakuri

Northern Mariana Islands|

* Chugai'

Papua New Guinea|

* Kilu

Samoa|

* Falemauga

Tuvalu|

* Nanumanga

* Cave
* List of caves
* Cave painting
* List of Stone Age art
* Speleology

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template