Eight Best Caves in the Arab World That You Should Explore
By Evan Ploeckelman / Arab America Contributing Writer
Did you know that the Arab World is home to a myriad of different caves to explore? Here are eight different cave systems within different countries in the Arab World that will surely amaze and astound you.
Umm Jarasan
Umm Jarasan, the longest cave in the Arab World at 1.4 kilometers (0.9 miles), is truly a sight to behold. While scientists do not currently know the true age of the cave, we do know that it was formed as a lava tube, or as a pathway for lava from an ancient volcano. In fact, the whole region, Harrat Khaybar, is known for both ancient and modern volcanic activity, with the most recent activity occurring between 600 and 700 CE. The cave itself is massive, with some areas of the cave being 45 meters (148 feet) wide and 12 meters (39 feet) tall. Throughout it are paintings and the remains of prehistoric animals. Many modern animals, such as snakes, bats, and wolves, also call the cave home. It is located near Khaybar about 147 kilometers, or 100 miles, north of Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Jeita Grotto
A national symbol of Lebanon, Jeita Grotto, is a must visit for anyone interested in natural wonders. Water flowed through the limestone here for millenia, forming the intricate rock formations over time. The cave is made up of two parts, the Lower and Upper Grotto. You can take a boat ride on an underground river to see the Lower Grotto. The Upper Grotto requires a walk, but you will be greeted by the world’s largest stalactite (one that hangs from the ceiling) at 8.2 meters, or 27 feet, in length, along with a multitude of other rock formations. The grotto is located 18 kilometers or 11 miles north of Beirut, Lebanon, and has a variety of amenities for tourists.
Tassili N’Ajjer
Tassili N’Ajjer is not just one cave, but a multitude of smaller caves that dot the Tassili N’Ajjer mountain range and national park in the Algerian Sahara. While the caves are not the most spectacular in the world, the caves are renowned for the 15,000 cave paintings that they contain. These images date from 10,000 BC to the current day, and they depict humans and animals from different times and climates. In fact, the images serve as a timeline for the aridization of the Sahara desert, with the animals in the images changing with the climate. Some notable images include those in the Round Head Period (8,000-6,000 BC), which feature humanoids with large, round, featureless heads. The area is also known for mountains, oases, waterfalls, and rock formations. It is located in southern Algeria.
Qumran Caves
These caves, located in the sheer limestone cliffs surrounding the Dead Sea, are most notable for being the location where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. These works consist of various Hebrew Judaic texts, including some that did not become officially canonized or were only accepted by certain groups, such as the Book of Enoch recognized in Ethiopian Christian and Jewish communities, which explains the origins of demons and angels along with why the flood in Genesis had to occur. There are also numerous archeological artifacts, such as pottery, that have been found in these caves, which have been inhabited for millennia. The caves are currently an Israeli national park south of Jericho in Palestine.
Jabal al Qarah
These caves were formed underneath a prehistoric ocean. When the prehistoric organisms in that ocean died, they left behind their shells, which eventually became the limestone that forms this mountain and the caves within. Visitors can walk through the caves, which are narrow and extremely tall. At some points, they become narrow canyons and the sun can peak through the hole in the top. These caves are interesting in that the structure of the caves regulates the internal temperature, with the caves being cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The caves are located just east of Al Hofuf in eastern Saudi Arabia.
Grottos of Hercules
The Grottos of Hercules have a long and storied history. They were first inhabited by ancient Berber tribes, and were later used by the Phoenicians, who blasted open a sea entrance. This entrance is known as the “Map of Africa” because it is shaped like the continent of Africa. In Greek legends, this cave is where Hercules rested before his 11th labor, getting the Golden Apples from the Hesperides garden, hence the name of the cave. The cave is believed to be around 15 miles long, and, according to another legend, connects to Gibraltar in Spain, which is how Barbary Macaques ended up in Gibraltar. The cave is located just outside of Tangier, Morocco.
Majlis Al-Jinn
Majlis al Jinn, which translates to “Meeting Place of the Jinn”, contains one of the largest cave chambers in the world, at 1115 feet long, 738 feet wide, and 389 feet high. According to legend, the three relatively small entrances to the cave were formed by a one-eyed Jinn who fired lightning bolts at a woman who crossed him, but due to his one eye, he missed and created three holes. In actuality, the holes were created by dripping water over many millennia. The cave is located just southeast of Oman; however, it is located in a very remote area. You will need a permit and a four wheel drive vehicle in order to see this magnificent cavern.
Friouato Caves
Scientists are still unsure about how big this cave actually is. There are currently 3.8 kilometers that have been explored at a depth of up to 272 meters below the surface of the Earth. This cave may even connect to other nearby caves, such as the Grottes du Chiker, but we are not certain yet. In either case, the rock formations, such as stalagmites and stalactites, are truly a sight to see. The cave is located just south of Taza, Morocco, and is about 142 kilometers, or 88 miles, from Fes, Morocco.
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