One of the most deep lakes on the planet is located high in the Andes, on the border of Argentina and Chile. This lake has two names: the Argentinean Lago Buenos Aires and the Chilean Lago General Carrera. Both names are official, so if you are not a native of one of these neighboring countries, you can call the lake whatever you like. We will use the Chilean name, because the most amazing sight is located on the Chilean coast, not far from the city of Chile Chico.
We are talking about the so-called Marble Cathedral (Las Cavernas de Marmol or Marble Cathedral) or the Marble Caves of Chile Chico. In fact, the walls of the amazing labyrinth, washed in the rocks that challenged the waters of the Lago General Carrera peninsula, are not made of marble at all - the rocks of the peninsula are calcareous. However, in the range of colors of the vaults of deep and through grottoes, white and bluish hues predominate, which look very impressive against the background of turquoise water.
The enfilades of the picturesque Marble Caves attract thousands of tourists to Chile Chico. Small pleasure boats deliver the guests of the city to the miraculous Marble Cathedral on the water and even go under the arches of the spacious outer halls of the cave labyrinth, allowing tourists to admire the magnificent creation of nature up close, look through the windows that seem to have melted in the walls deep into the labyrinth of the Marble Caves, where the boat can no longer reach.
However, not all tourists tend to Lake Lago General Carrera just for the sake of the picturesque Marble Caves of Chile Chico. Many people prefer to devote time to fishing - Lago Buenos Aires is also famous for the fact that innumerable fish live in its waters, including salmon and trout.
To get to the Marble Caves, tourists need to overcome 1300 km from the capital of Chile, Santiago, to the nearest Big City – Coyaique. Then there is a 300 km long path to the south, which will lead to a lake with wonderful caves given to us by nature.
The marble caves of Chile Chico consist of several blue grottoes, which are partly under the water of Lake Carrera. The bright blue colors of the Patagonian caves and turquoise water simply excite the imagination of any person who sees this creation of nature for the first time.
The lake itself is located on the border of the two countries of Argentina and Chile, but the marble caves are located on the territory of Chile. The Chile Chicos have three main grottoes: the Chapel (La Capilla), the Cathedral (El Catedral) and the Cave (La Cueva).
Tourists can visit Chile Chico by small boat (2-4 people + helmsman) or kayak, but only when there is calm on Lake Carrera. marble caves in this moment the human factor is threatening - the construction of 5 large dams in the lake area.
Location: Chile, Aisen region, Lago General Carrera lake.
Coordinates: 46° 39′ 32″ S 72° 37′ 36″ W
The pristine beauty of the marble rocks, combined with the crystal clear water of the alpine lake, gives the impression that heaven on earth does exist.
Scientists have found that the grottoes, which are entirely made of natural marble, contain metamorphosed limestones. Moreover, this component is so strong that marble can be used to create sculptures. In addition to their mesmerizing beauty, the Marble Caves are the largest deposit of marble on the planet. The reserves of this natural mineral are estimated at 5,000 million tons. Lake Carrera itself is one of the ten deepest lakes in the world - its depth reaches 590 meters, and its area is approximately 1850 square kilometers. The government of Chile has long been using the caves to extract marble. According to geologists, marble mining should be stopped in the near future so that tourists from different countries peace.
The marble caves in Chile are a marvelous creation of nature. It is unlikely that a stone shimmering with all shades of blue can be found somewhere else in the world. The bright blue grottoes and caves are partially hidden under the same turquoise waters of Lake Carrera. The lake is located on the border of Argentina and Chile. Actually, the lake itself is a natural border. It belongs to both states and has two generally recognized names. But the Marble Caves themselves are entirely in Chilean possessions.
The three main grottoes of the Marble Caves are the Cathedral (El Catedral), the Chapel (La Capilla) and the Cave (La Cueva). You can admire the graceful marble patterns on the walls endlessly. Although the caves are not made of marble at all, but of lime rocks - shades of white and blue, as well as characteristic stains, gave this place a familiar name. The vaults carved by water and wind in the thickness of the rocks are not inferior in beauty to the results of the work of the greatest architects. Locals do not call this natural formation otherwise than the Cathedral or the Temple.
Thousands of tourists who share the opinion of the Chileans about the beauty and grandeur of the Marble Caves annually arrive in the town of Chile Chico. From here pleasure boats transport travelers to the walls of the "shrine" on the water. A large boat can no longer reach the labyrinths in the thickness of the rocks. You can explore the interior of the caves by boat or small kayak. However, for the tour, you will have to wait for calm weather, when the waters of Lake Carrera completely calm down.
In the waters of the lake near the marble caves, an innumerable number of trout and salmon live. So the place is famous not only for geological sights. In addition to lovers of inspiring landscapes and beauties of nature, more pragmatic fans of the art of fishing come here.
Getting to the Marble Caves is not so easy. From the capital of Chile, Santiago, the path lies to the nearest large city of Coyaique - it is 1300 kilometers, neither more nor less. Then you will have to overcome another 300 kilometers to the south, where the wonderful lake is located.
The existence of this natural wonder is threatened by plans to build several dams. But for now, the Marble Caves are safe and sound. Their pristine, unmanaged beauty, combined with the crystal clear waters of Lake Carrera and the delightful surroundings, makes one believe that heaven on earth can exist. And if this is true, it is located near the Marble Caves of Chile.
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Location: Chile, Lake Buenos Aires
Coordinates: 46°39"52.6"S 72°38"02.4"W
Short description
One of the most the most beautiful places on our vast planet is on the border Chile and Argentina in the Patagonian Andes. The fabulous creation, which was created by nature itself, is located in South America in one of the deepest lakes in the world - Buenos Aires.
The locals majestically call it the Marble Cathedral, but in many tourist brochures it is referred to as Las Cavernas de Marmol or the Marble Caves of Chile. This is the most striking and memorable attraction of Patagonia, which is visited annually by tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world.
The pristine beauty of the blue-blue rocks, shimmering in the crystal clear waters of the lake, according to most travelers who saw this miracle of nature, makes one believe that heaven on earth still exists. I would like to note that in some sources you can find information that Las Cavernas de Marmol are located in the waters of Lake General Carrera (Lago General Carrera). This is not a mistake or a typo, the whole point is the territorial location of the marble caves: General Carrera is the Chilean name, Buenos Aires, as you might guess, the Argentinean.
Marble Caves of Chile: beauty created by nature itself
The intricate labyrinths of the Marble Caves will impress any traveler. The grandeur and some unearthly beauty of the carved marble vaults, which on a sunny day is emphasized by the bright rays of the sun peeping here and there, is a truly unforgettable sight. Reflections of light in the emerald-blue water, as if playing in the lake, create amazing optical illusions every second. That is why Marble caves look different on a bright sunny day and in cloudy weather.
The variability of the water level, which is due to the seasonal melting of glaciers, also contributes to the "reincarnation" of the fantastic tunnels of the cave.
Travelers who have already visited this amazing corner advise all those who only decide to go to Chile to the marble caves to make their excursion before the start of spring.
During this period of time low level The water in the caves allows curious tourists to take pleasure boats provided by local guides and enjoy the splendor of nature inside the caves. A walk under the vaults of the miraculous Marble Cathedral on the water allows you to see this miracle of nature up close, look into the so-called "dark windows" of the cave, more like an endless tunnel. However, who lives there remains a mystery to tourists, because a boat can no longer reach deep into the caves...
As mentioned above, the color scheme of the caves varies depending on the time of year and day, but various impurities of minerals in the walls give Las Cavernas de Marmol an unearthly splendor. During the period of glacier melting, the lake water becomes cloudy and therefore the rocks and caves are “painted” in muted tones. Some travelers on cloudy days see in the Marble Cathedral a resemblance to a dark and mysterious ghost. All shades of blue adorn the caves of Chile in summer, when mountain lake glitters in the rays of the bright sun.
Tourists from all over the world paradise attracts not only the opportunity to enjoy and touch the magnificence of the picturesque caves created by nature itself, but also the opportunity to spend your free time doing your favorite pastime - fishing. Lake Lago Buenos Aires is famous all over the world for its variety of fish, including salmon and trout, which can only live in the purest water.
Marble caves in Chile are recognized as the largest deposit of marble on earth. Some scientists believe that the weight of the precious marble available here is about 5,000,000 tons (!).
Marble Caves in Chile: a reminder to tourists
To be in this amazing place travelers will need patience and time, because the Marble Caves are located at a considerable distance from the capital of Chile, Santiago. Tourists who decide to visit Las Cavernas de Marmol will first need to cover a distance of 1,300 kilometers from Santiago to Coyaique, and then another 300 kilometers (!) to the location of the Marble Caves. However, all the difficulties associated with the flight and trip, the accumulated fatigue are instantly forgotten and disappear as soon as the traveler is in close proximity to the majestic and magnificent Marble Caves, created by the invisible "breath" of nature.
