The reopening of the Cave of the Wind, the longest volcanic tube in Europe, it has been a success of assistance. Since the Cabildo of Tenerife will resume the activity in this cavity located in the municipality of Icod de los VinosOn February 20, the number of visitors tripled in its second quarter of activity. This tourist resource, managed through the public company Ideco, has received the visit of more than 4,000 people in six months, of which 907 correspond to the first quarter and 3,098 to the second.
The Cave of the Wind It is not only the longest volcanic tube in Europe, but also the sixth in the world. Originated by the lava flows from the Pico Viejo, located next to the Teide, it was formed 27,000 years ago and its name is due to the significant air currents that occur inside. Converted into a kind of geological museum, it is a unique place because its galleries are spread over three superimposed levels, it has numerous ramifications yet unexplored and presents a great variety of structures of primary origin such as lava stalactites, lava waterfalls, terraces sides or lava lakes. Its physical beauty is compounded by a high ecological, scientific and archaeological value, as it is the home of unique species, such as the underground wolfptera eyeless cockroach, and houses remains of Guanche burials and fossils of vertebrates already extinct on the Island such as the hubara or the giant rat and lizard.
The visit to the cave, which is made prior reservation on the web www.cuevadelviento.net, has a price of 20 euros for adults and 8.50 for children over five years of age, although for Canarian residents the price is reduced to 10 and 5 euros, respectively .
The insular councilor for Museums, Concepción Rivero, explains thate visitor data «confirms the interest that the cave arouses among tourists visiting Tenerife». “We have increased the offer of places by 250% in the last quarter, with 320 routes in four languages for small groups that have followed a strict health protocol.”
Of these routes, 194 have been carried out in Spanish, with a total of 1,926 national visitors, 67 in English (632), 41 in German (377) and 18 in French (163). “We have adapted to the circumstances so that our visitors can get to know the cave in a safe way for everyone, with limited capacity and a mandatory mask during the tour”, highlights the insular councilor.
