The secret river

Local adults and children had explored this cave probably over hundreds of years. There was a legend that a river poured into the sea below sea-level just here. Inside, the cave quickly descends into water-filled cavities below sea-level. If drinkable water could be found then what a boon for the growers of this area's grapes, almonds, figs, olives and tomatoes! 

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In 1956 the time had come to find out. The bore hole leading to a well near the village was chosen and a red dye poured down. On the shore and on the cliffs high above Cala Moraig the villagers waited for the dye to show itself in the sea ...............and it did! You can imagine the scenes! The watchers signalled the success back to the village. If fresh water could be diverted to the surface then the whole of the area would benefit greatly. But was the water drinkable at any point?

All tests that have been made so far show that the water is salty. So perhaps this idea is no longer feasible. But the underground cave whose access is shown in the photo reaches depths below sea- level and has challenged local and international speliologists (potholers, cavers, scientists - men with nerves of steel), some to their deaths. 

It is 20 years since Bernhard Pack, an experienced German scientist and underground explorer, reached a point more than a kilometre from the sea in the caverns below "Cumbre del Sol" - but sadly failed to return.