DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0032
4
GROTTO OF ADELSBKRG.
[Chap. p.
This, until sixteen years ago, was the extent to which the
grotto was known, but one of the guides then accidentally
found an opening in the rock high up on the further side be-
yond the river. A wooden bridge has since been thrown
across, and a road made to the second entrance, by which we
ascended, and continued our subterranean journey through
the fairy-like halls and galleries and chambers of this mar-
vellous labyrinth. It is impossible to describe all the beauties
and wonders of the gigantic stalactitic concretions, and lofty
halls supported as it were by Gothic columns, and appa-
rently filled with statues of exquisite delicacy and whiteness.
There is, however, one part of the cave which in grandeur
and sublimity so far exceeds all the rest, that I must allude
to it more specially. It is called Mount Calvary, and is
situated near the extremity of the grotto, about a mile and
a half from the entrance. Here we suddenly found ourselves
in an open space, of which we could neither sec the limits,
nor distinguish the height of the roof. In the centre the
ground rises considerably, forming a steep and rugged hill,
over which our path led, the roof rising in proportion as we
ascended, with a deep and gloomy looking ravine on either
side. This hill, which consists of the blocks and fragments
fallen from the lofty roof, was almost everywhere covered
with a thick incrustation of white stalagmites, which having
assumed every possible variety of form, appeared in the
murky gloom like wandering spectres, or beautiful marble
statues. At each step as we advanced fresh figures were
seen arranged with apparent taste along the terraces of a
rising ground. We almost fancied ourselves walking in an
enchanted garden, adorned with a rich profusion of statues,
columns, and vases, while the darkness made the spacious
hall appear still more extensive. In short, our expecta-
tions, great as they had been, were not disappointed, and
we returned well pleased to Adelsberg, after having been
three hours under ground.
This, however, is not the grotto in which the celebrated
GROTTO OF ADELSBKRG.
[Chap. p.
This, until sixteen years ago, was the extent to which the
grotto was known, but one of the guides then accidentally
found an opening in the rock high up on the further side be-
yond the river. A wooden bridge has since been thrown
across, and a road made to the second entrance, by which we
ascended, and continued our subterranean journey through
the fairy-like halls and galleries and chambers of this mar-
vellous labyrinth. It is impossible to describe all the beauties
and wonders of the gigantic stalactitic concretions, and lofty
halls supported as it were by Gothic columns, and appa-
rently filled with statues of exquisite delicacy and whiteness.
There is, however, one part of the cave which in grandeur
and sublimity so far exceeds all the rest, that I must allude
to it more specially. It is called Mount Calvary, and is
situated near the extremity of the grotto, about a mile and
a half from the entrance. Here we suddenly found ourselves
in an open space, of which we could neither sec the limits,
nor distinguish the height of the roof. In the centre the
ground rises considerably, forming a steep and rugged hill,
over which our path led, the roof rising in proportion as we
ascended, with a deep and gloomy looking ravine on either
side. This hill, which consists of the blocks and fragments
fallen from the lofty roof, was almost everywhere covered
with a thick incrustation of white stalagmites, which having
assumed every possible variety of form, appeared in the
murky gloom like wandering spectres, or beautiful marble
statues. At each step as we advanced fresh figures were
seen arranged with apparent taste along the terraces of a
rising ground. We almost fancied ourselves walking in an
enchanted garden, adorned with a rich profusion of statues,
columns, and vases, while the darkness made the spacious
hall appear still more extensive. In short, our expecta-
tions, great as they had been, were not disappointed, and
we returned well pleased to Adelsberg, after having been
three hours under ground.
This, however, is not the grotto in which the celebrated