The Caves of Han-sur-Lesse (in French: Grottes de Han-sur-Lesse or simply Grottes de Han) refers to a natural complex of caves in Belgium. A major Belgian tourist attraction (around 250-300,000 visitors per year), the caves are located in Wallonia, on the outskirts of the village of Han-sur-Lesse.
The caves were formed as the result of an underground erosion of a limestone hill by the river Lesse.[1] For most of its length a meandering river, it abruptly plunges into a sinkhole not far from Han-sur-Lesse. This hole is known as the gouffre de Belvaux (English: the Belvaux abyss), where it forces its way under the hill over a distance of over 1 kilometer (1⁄2 mi) as the crow flies before streaming through the cave complex known as the Grottes de Han.[1]
The caves have a constant temperature of 13 °C (55 °F) and a high level of humidity. The largest room in the complex is called La Salle du Dôme (the Hall of the Dome); it is 150 metres (490 ft) across with a vaulted ceiling that reaches 127 metres (417 ft).[1]
Although modern exploration of the complex began in 1771, the caves have been known to locals for much longer. Bronze Age and Stone Age relics have been found inside, indicating use from at least the 5th century BC.[1]
Access is only possible via a vintage streetcar, a remnant of the country's once extensive vicinal tramway system, which departs from the center of Han-sur-Lesse. The entry to the caves is about 2 km (1+1⁄4 mi) from the village. The guided tour takes about an hour to an hour and a half and includes a sound and light show in one of the largest chambers of the cave system and an ending with a simulated cannon shot to demonstrate the caves' acoustic properties. Visitors used to exit the caves by way of a short boat ride at the point where the Lesse emerges on the surface, but since 2009 this has been replaced by a bridge.[1]
Galleryedit
The Gouffre de Belvaux, where the Lesse goes underground
Inside one of the chambers
Access to the caves is only possible with this historic streetcar
The exit of the caves
Bibliographyedit
^ abcdeScheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980). Natural Wonders of the World. United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. p. 175. ISBN0-89577-087-3.
Stenuit, Robert with Jasinski, Marc (1966). Caves and the marvellous world beneath us. Trans. Harry Pearman. New York: A.S. Barnes and Company.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Caves of Han.
caves, lesse, french, grottes, lesse, simply, grottes, refers, natural, complex, caves, belgium, major, belgian, tourist, attraction, around, visitors, year, caves, located, wallonia, outskirts, village, lesse, caves, were, formed, result, underground, erosion. The Caves of Han sur Lesse in French Grottes de Han sur Lesse or simply Grottes de Han refers to a natural complex of caves in Belgium A major Belgian tourist attraction around 250 300 000 visitors per year the caves are located in Wallonia on the outskirts of the village of Han sur Lesse The caves were formed as the result of an underground erosion of a limestone hill by the river Lesse 1 For most of its length a meandering river it abruptly plunges into a sinkhole not far from Han sur Lesse This hole is known as the gouffre de Belvaux English the Belvaux abyss where it forces its way under the hill over a distance of over 1 kilometer 1 2 mi as the crow flies before streaming through the cave complex known as the Grottes de Han 1 Contents 1 Cave complex 2 Gallery 3 Bibliography 4 External linksCave complex editThe caves have a constant temperature of 13 C 55 F and a high level of humidity The largest room in the complex is called La Salle du Dome the Hall of the Dome it is 150 metres 490 ft across with a vaulted ceiling that reaches 127 metres 417 ft 1 Although modern exploration of the complex began in 1771 the caves have been known to locals for much longer Bronze Age and Stone Age relics have been found inside indicating use from at least the 5th century BC 1 Access is only possible via a vintage streetcar a remnant of the country s once extensive vicinal tramway system which departs from the center of Han sur Lesse The entry to the caves is about 2 km 1 1 4 mi from the village The guided tour takes about an hour to an hour and a half and includes a sound and light show in one of the largest chambers of the cave system and an ending with a simulated cannon shot to demonstrate the caves acoustic properties Visitors used to exit the caves by way of a short boat ride at the point where the Lesse emerges on the surface but since 2009 this has been replaced by a bridge 1 Gallery edit nbsp The Gouffre de Belvaux where the Lesse goes underground nbsp Inside one of the chambers nbsp Access to the caves is only possible with this historic streetcar nbsp The exit of the cavesBibliography edit a b c d e Scheffel Richard L Wernet Susan J eds 1980 Natural Wonders of the World United States of America Reader s Digest Association Inc p 175 ISBN 0 89577 087 3 Stenuit Robert with Jasinski Marc 1966 Caves and the marvellous world beneath us Trans Harry Pearman New York A S Barnes and Company a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Caves of Han Official website Some pictures inside and around the cave50 7 1 N 5 11 43 E 50 1183 N 5 19050 E 50 1183 5 19050 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Caves of Han sur Lesse amp oldid 1169952090, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
