The Candelaria Caves are a large natural cave system in the highland-lowland transition of Alta Verapaz in Guatemala between the municipalities of Chisec and Raxruha. The caves are famous for their peculiar karst phenomena and significance to Mayan history.
Geology Amongst the attractions of their huge karst caverns are speleothems like stalactites, stalagmites, stalagnates and flowstone drapes. Pit caves, caused by collapse of the ceiling, light the inside of the caves. The main gallery has a length of 22 km, of which 12.5 km follows the underground passage of the Candelaria River. The total length of the cave system, including coulisses, secondary and upper passages, is estimated to be 80 km.Verapaz attractions Retrieved 2015-02-15
History The Great Western Trade Route Woodfill 2007, p.23 of the Classic Maya, which connected the Guatemalan highlands to the Petén lowlands, went through the Candelaria Caves area. Pottery artefacts and rupestral paintings evidence the use of the caves for ceremonies.Woodfill 2007, pp.145-183 The Popol Vuh of the K'iche' people considers the Candelaria Caves an entrance to the underworld.FLAAR report. Retrieved 2015-02-15 Some of the caves are still used for Mayan celebrations. Even though, the caves now are opened to the public.
Administration The government of Guatemala declared the Candelaria Caves national park in 1999. After long battles with the government the local Q'eqchi' people gained the management of tourism in the caves through their “Association Maya Q'eqchi Development and Tourism of Candelaria-Camposanto”.Del Cid, García 2003 There are several entrances to the caves, managed by different Q'eqchi' communities like the association Bombilpek El Porvenir. They charge a small fee to visit the caves with a guide and use this fund to support the economic life of the village in the most equitable way possible.
The following table synthesizes the morphological, speleological, and socio-archaeological features across the Candelaria Caves system:
+ Speleological, Cultural, and Administrative Profile of the Candelaria Caves System Sector / Passage Dimensions & Hydrogeology Associated Speleothems & Features Archaeology, Ritual Use & Governance Main River Gallery 12.5 km active subterranean stream; 22 km main trunk passage Massive flowstone drapes, stalactites, stalagmites, and large vault collapse windows (pit caves) Ancient trade corridor connecting the Guatemalan highlands to Petén; continuous Q'eqchi' ritual offerings. Secondary & Upper Passages (Coulisses) Estimated 80 km total subterranean network Complex labyrinthine chambers, dry upper galleries, and rimstone pools Ceramic deposits (Classic Maya), rupestral cave art, and sacred entrances associated with Xibalba in the Popol Vuh. Community Management Zones Transitional karst landscape between Chisec and Raxruha Protected karst towers, sinkholes, and rainforest buffer zones Managed by local Q'eqchi' associations (e.g., Candelaria-Camposanto) to fund equitable community development.
References
Bibliography