Gruta do Natal – Terceira Island

A Gruta do Natal, located in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira Island, is a must-visit tourist spot for all visitors seeking adventure, beauty, and fun. This cave is part of the Natural Forest Reserve of Serra de Santa Bárbara and Mistérios Negros and holds significant historical and geological value.

The entire extension of the Gruta do Natal was formed by fluid lava that flowed in different directions. This resulted in the formation of various tunnels, branches, and stalactites, creating the site as it is today. Currently, everything is solidified, and the lava tunnel, the main attraction, is about 697 meters long, remaining in its original state without modifications.

The Gruta do Natal offers a Support House to better serve tourists, with sanitary facilities, necessary information, and an exhibition about volcanic phenomena in the Azores. This building is very important to the region, especially as Gruta do Natal is one of the best caves on Terceira Island, with high tourist exploration potential.

When visiting Terceira Island, be sure to include Gruta do Natal in your travel itinerary; it’s an incredible experience and will certainly yield fantastic photographs! It’s worth the visit!

History of Gruta do Natal

Gruta do Natal was previously known as Galeria Negra and was also called Gruta do Cavalo in the past. The term Galeria Negra was related to the cave’s darkness at the time. Gruta do Cavalo received this name due to the remains of a horse skeleton found near the cave’s entrance.

The official name emerged after December 25, 1969, following a Christmas Mass celebrated at the location, which was open to the public. This date marked the opening of Gruta do Natal for public visits, allowing easy access with rudimentary lighting. The site has since hosted other Christmas Masses and even a baptism and a wedding.

To this day, researchers have not identified evidence about the origin of Gruta do Natal, but it is believed that its formation resulted from fissure eruptions, caused by a valley that once existed in this area. As a result, a lava tube of easy navigation and great tourist appeal was created.

The entire internal route of Gruta do Natal was designed to create a unique journey. Inside, you will feel more connected to the history and culture of the Azores and the scientific value of the archipelago’s geological formations. In the past, the site suffered numerous acts of vandalism, but today this is no longer an issue.

Finally, the Support House was inaugurated on December 1, 1998, and opened to the public on June 1, 1999, playing a key role in the conservation, maintenance, and enhancement of Gruta do Natal. It is responsible for the energy generation system and the continuous monitoring of the cave to protect it from possible acts of vandalism.

Tips for Visiting

Pay attention to the visiting days, as Gruta do Natal is not open to the public every day throughout the year. It is recommended to combine your visit with the Algar do Carvão, and descend into the volcano, a unique experience! In this case, purchase both tickets at the same time.

Check the schedules and prices here.

During the visit, it is important to use the provided safety equipment – a helmet – as the walls are low, and accidents could occur if not worn. And don’t forget to wear appropriate clothing for walking along the natural underground trails, it’s an unmissable adventure!

Location on the Map

Video

Photographs in the article by / credits Câmara Municipal de Angra do Heroísmo