Quadiriki Caves
Quadiriki Cave | |
Location within Aruba | |
Alternate name | Quadirikiri, Guadirikiri |
---|---|
Location | Arikok National Park, Aruba |
Region |
Caribbean, Aruba |
Coordinates | 12°28′59.88″N 69°55′00″W / 12.4833000°N 69.91667°WCoordinates: 12°28′59.88″N 69°55′00″W / 12.4833000°N 69.91667°W |
Type | Caves |
Length |
150 metres (490 ft) 30 metres (98 ft) |
History | |
Material | Limestone |
Cultures | Arawak |
The Quadiriki Caves (other spellings include: Guadirikiri Caves, or Quadirikiri Cave) are located in Arikok National Park on the island of Aruba. There are three caves, which tourists commonly explore. The caves are located at the base of a limestone cliff. They contain Amerindian petroglyphs. The name of the caves are of Arawak origin.
The first two chambers in the largest 150 metres (490 ft) long cave are illuminated by holes in the cave ceiling, while the third chamber is damp and dark, filled with bat guano.[1] The limestone cave contains stalactites and stalagmites.
A smaller 30 metres (98 ft) long cave to the east from the main cave is especially rich in Amerindian petroglyphs.
A mythical folk tale relates to a daughter of an Indian chief who fell in love and was imprisoned in the cave as her lover was not acceptable to her father. Her beloved one was imprisoned nearby, in Huliba Cave (Tunnel of Love), but both lovers managed to meet underground. Both reportedly died in the cave and their spirit vanished into heaven through the holes in the roof of the cave.[1]
References
- 1 2 "Quadirikiri Cave". Wondermondo.