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LODGING PORTUGUESE VERSION

 

"Here I come again... "  

It is believed that the name of the grotto is due to the fact of it had been inhabited by a blonde, strong and hairy, man of unknown identity, possibly fugitive from the revolution of 1930, who was called by "King of the Bush." 

But 45 years ago, José Eloi de Deus entered in one of the rooms for the first time, becoming then the official discoverer. 

"These 13 meters stalactites are the main attraction. "  

The visitation time is of about 40 minutes. The extension of 220 meters is traveled on catwalks, steps, going down for 40 meters. There are four living rooms and the temperature inside varies from 17 to 20 degrees. 

The grotto was open to public visitation in 10/22/1988. It is 998 meters in extension, of which only 220 are open to the public. It has stalactites, stalagmites and stoned cascades with crystal shine. "Rei do Mato" (King of the Bush) is considered by the scientists as an alive grotto, because it's still being formed by the action of the water.  

"A numerous group is guided by a guide."  

It a catwalk with metallic structure, flanked by a 1,20m handrail all along its extension for the visitors' safety, with 131 steps. It is composed by four rooms.  

First room: "Couve-flor" (cauliflower): This formation happens due to the "perspiration" of the rock in times of abundant rains and also for the running water and leaks that  accumulate limestone.  

"Extra terrestrial landscapes."  

Second room: "Desabafados": the name is due to the collapses that happened in the past. The blocks already acommodated and there is no risk of new collapses.

"The internal illumination is very well arranged."  

Third room: "o principal" (the Main). This is the largest room of the grotto, with approximately 80 meters of extension. In this gallery we find several stalactites that had their tips broken by vandals or by people that imagined that, for the shining of the formations, it had any commercial value. Standing out in the gallery are: "cenorão" (big carrot), a stalactite of orange color due to the presence of iron oxide; "sorvetão" (ice cream), stalactite formation and some columns that took from 18 to 22 thousand years to be formed. 

"Rare formations, only here and in Spain."  

Fourth room: several interesting formations stand out: elictites (similar to grasses, plants and roots in varied forms), glosses. Rare formations, like 2 columns of 13m of height with 30cm of diameters, that are intact. These formations are only found at the Grotto of Altamira, in Spain. 

 

 
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Tips by GUSTAVO VIVACQUA  

1. The nearest place to stay is the city of "Sete lagoas".  

2. The area has a wide parking, snack bar, health terminal and infirmary for First Aid. 

3. "Gruta Rei do Mato" is located at the border of BR 040 highway, close to the access clover to the city of "Sete lagoas" and at 62 Km from Belo Horizonte.  

4. The grotto has antique registrations and significant paintings on its rocky faces, that are 6.000 years old. 

5. The main attraction is in the fourth room: the 2 columns of 13m of height and 30cm of diameter that are intact. These formations are very rare and they are only found at the Grotto of Altamira in Spain. 

6. "If you came here, then take the chance and go to Cordisburgo to visit the Grotto of Maquiné." tip from Geraldo Evandro Papa - Santo André.

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