Israel tourism and travel guide 

Avshalom Cave, the Stalactite Cave in the mountains of Jerusalem is one of Israel's most spectacular attractions. This cave, located on the western edge of the Judean Hills, is a karstic cave. The phenomenon is named after the Karst region of Slovenia sloping karst phenomena. In this phenomenon, limestone and dolomite are exposed to chemical weathering.Rainwater and carbon dioxide are forming a weak acid that dissolves the limestone and dolomite and creates rocky and underground cavities in them. The residue of the dissolving limestone in the cave accumulates on the ceiling of the cave when they drip and difficulty. When the solution reaches the ground, it cumulates and creates stalagmites. Sometimes the stalactites and stalagmites connect and create beautiful columns. The process of formation of stalactites and stalagmites is very slow. Investment of one centimeter continues for one thousand years! The age of the stalactite in The Stalactite Cave is estimated at about five million years!The cave was discovered by accident in 1968 during a routine quarry blast in the near cave. Nine years later, it opened to the public and has become one of the most unique tourist attractions in the country and even in the world!In order to maintain the delicate balance between the many visitors who come to the cave and preserving the continued formation of stalactites and the spectacular stalagmites in the cave, a unique LED lighting was installed which doesn't produce heat and has a wavelength composition that prevents the formation of algae or black fungus on the side of the cave. The colorful lighting favors the stalactites and stalagmites and manages to emphasize the beauty and interesting spaces created between them.The weather in the cave is almost never changing, and is about 22-23 degrees Celsius - a great getaway for the wet summer and also a good shelter during the winter rain. The cave's length is 91 meters, its maximum width – 80 meters, the maximum ceiling height – 15 meters and surface about 4,800 square meters.

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