Gruta Mindinho

Well known for its large number of siphons, which exceed twenty, the progress in its exploration depends on unblocking these passages. Speleologists and cave divers have thus resorted to pumping out the siphons, using diving equipment and techniques, including breath-hold diving. The first explorations took place in the 1970s, by SPE members, and continued throughout the 80s. From 2011 to 2013, a group of associations came together to seek further progress. These include ARCM, AES, AESDA, ARCM, CEAE-LPN, ECTV, GEM, GEMA, NALGA, NEALC, GPS and SAGA. In 2013, the development of Mindinho was recorded at 948 metres in length and a gradient of -88 metres. The cave, which is located in the inactive vadose zone, features the ideal setting for a film production. Its crystallisations literally sparkle and its stalagmitic mantles, waterfalls, lakes and gours (rock pools) star in the pitch-black underground, in an unrivalled landscape.