First written record of the caves contained in a message from Rover de Rovenach to the mayor or Manacor.
The Caves of Drach were known in the Middle Ages and explored in 1880 by M.F. Will and in 1896 by E.A. Martel, who discovered the cave with the lake that bears his name. The cave was remodelled for visitors between 1922 and 1935: a new entrance was made, paths were designed and ladders built. An electrical lighting plan designed by the engineer Carles Buigas was also installed. Guided tours take around one hour and follow a 1.2 km path. The tour includes a classical music concert and a boat trip across Lake Martel. The temperature inside is around 21ºC, with a relative humidity of 80%.
The live concert lasts 10 minutes and is played by a quartet of musicians. This is followed by a light effect imitating the sunrise over the lake. Then there is an opportunity to take a short boat trip across the lake or to continue on foot across the bridge.
The lands on which the caves are found date back to the Miocene period, and water seeping through cracks formed the shapes inside, composed of calcium carbonate together with minerals that were swept down from the surface, allowing visitors to appreciate the different shades that appear in them.
The formations that hang from the ceiling are stalactites and those that rise from the ground are stalagmites. You can also make out columns, walls and root-like stalactites. Lake Martel is around 170 metres long, and its depth varies between four and 12 metres. The cave is around 25 metres deep. The stalactites are growing at a rate of around 1 cm per 100 years.
The entrance ticket shows the tour time. Visitors are asked to assemble at the entrance to the cave, which lies some 200 metres from the ticket booth, 10 minutes before their tour is due to start. Places are limited and only visitors with a valid ticket for each tour may enter the cave.
You are welcome to film and take photos during the tour, but without using a flash, spotlight or tripod, and we would ask you to not block the path of other visitors or fall behind the rest of your group.
Please do not take photos or videos during the concert. Please follow the guide’s instructions at all times.
The concert on Lake Martel has been a feature since 1935 and is comprised of classical music.
1 November to 15 March: tours at 10:45 h, 12:00 h, 14:00 h i 15:30 h.
16 March to 30 October: tours at 10:00 h, 11:00 h, 12:00 h, 14:00 h, 15:00 h, 16:00 h i 17:00 h.
First written record of the caves contained in a message from Rover de Rovenach to the mayor or Manacor.
First appearance of the name “Drach” in Dameto’s book “History of the Kingdom of Mallorca”.
Recorded on Cardinal Despuig’s map of Mallorca.
Caver and cartographer MF Will produces the first map of the caves.
The caves are mentioned in Jules Verne’s book “Clovis Dartetor”.
EA Martel discovers further caves and the great subterranean lake.
A new entrance to the cave is opened.
Catalan engineer C Buigas completes his project to illuminate the interior of the caves including the spectacle of the sunrise over the lake.