Hercules Caves — Attraction in arrondissement de Tanger-Medina طنجة المدينة

Visited in August 2024 We took a daytrip to see Tangiers from Tarifa. It was an easy trip across the Straits of Gibraltar by ferry. We had a guided tour that took us to the caves and we enjoyed it. It has been decorated to make maximum use of the myths of Hercules! Not to be missed if you are in Tangiers.

The Caves of Hercules is an archaeological cave complex located in Cape Spartel, Morocco. The cave was long thought to be bottomless. It was believed that the cave is one end of a subterranean ley tunnel over 24 kilometres long which passes under the Strait of Gibraltar and emerges at St. Michael's Cave in Gibraltar. Legend has it that the Barbary macaques came to the Rock of Gibraltar from Morocco this way. Mythological tradition also holds that the Greek god Heracles stayed and slept in this cave before doing his 11th labour, (one of the 12 labours which King Eurystheus of Tiryns had given to him) which was to get golden apples from the Hesperides Garden, which some ancient Greek writers said was located nearby at Lixus (one of the cities of Larache).

According to some Roman sources, while on his way to the garden of the Hesperides, Hercules had to cross the mountain that was once Atlas. Instead of climbing the great mountain, Hercules used his superhuman strength to smash through it. By doing so, he connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and formed the Strait of Gibraltar. One part of the split mountain is Gibraltar and the other is either Monte Hacho in Ceuta or Jebel Musa (known as the Mons Abyla in classical times) in Morocco. These two mountains taken together have since then been known as the Pillars of Hercules, though other natural features have been associated with the name. Diodorus Siculus, however, held that instead of smashing through an isthmus to create the Straits of Gibraltar, Hercules narrowed an already existing strait to prevent monsters from the Atlantic Ocean from entering the Mediterranean Sea.

The Greek mythology version is that Heracles went to Atlas and offered to hold up the heavens while Atlas got the apples from the garden of his daughters, the Hesperides which was also guarded by the dragon Ladon. Upon his return with the apples, however, Atlas attempted to trick Heracles into carrying the sky permanently by offering to deliver the apples himself, as anyone who purposely took the burden must carry it forever, or until someone else took it away. Heracles, suspecting Atlas did not intend to return, pretended to agree to Atlas' offer, asking only that Atlas take the sky again for a few minutes so Heracles could rearrange his cloak as padding on his shoulders. When Atlas set down the apples and took the heavens upon his shoulders again, Heracles took the apples...

🇲🇦 Here's a historical overview of the Hercules Cave in English: The Cave of Hercules: Legend and History in Tangier The Cave of Hercules, located in the city of Tangier, Morocco, stands as one of the region's most prominent natural and historical landmarks, blending natural beauty with ancient myths. While its name is closely linked to the Greek legend of Heracles (Hercules), its history runs deeper than mere tales. The Legend The cave is named after the Greek myth which states that the legendary hero Hercules rested in this cave after completing his Twelve Labours. It is said that he separated the continents (Africa and Europe) at the Strait of Gibraltar, and his presence in this cave was part of this epic saga. This legend has endowed the place with an aura of mystery and legendary historical significance. Human History and Ancient Uses Beyond the legend, the cave has a long and tangible human history: Prehistoric Times: It's believed that the cave was inhabited since prehistoric times, with some archaeological findings indicating an ancient human presence. It served as a natural shelter and a strategic location for early inhabitants. Phoenicians and Romans: It is thought that the Phoenicians, who were skilled sailors and traders, utilized the cave. They are believed to have carved the cave's famous opening, which strikingly resembles the map of the African continent when viewed from the sea. This suggests its use as a quarry or for other purposes. It's also probable that the Romans used it as well, given their significant presence in the region. Later Eras: The cave continued to be used as a quarry for stones throughout the centuries, providing building materials for the surrounding Tangier area. This usage influenced the cave's internal shape and dimensions. Distinctive Features The "Africa Map" Opening: The most famous feature of the cave is its large opening overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, which bears a striking resemblance to the map of the African continent. This opening is a result of natural erosion and human intervention (believed to be by the Phoenicians). Rock Formations: The cave is characterized by unique rock formations illuminated by natural light filtering through its openings, creating a mesmerizing spectacle, especially during high tide when ocean water rushes in. The Cave Today Today, the Cave of Hercules is a major tourist destination in Tangier, attracting visitors from all over the world. It offers a unique blend of history, legend, and natural beauty, providing breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. It is more than just a cave; it is a window into thousands of years of stories, myths, and human uses that have shaped this...

The Cave of Hercules is a cave located in Tangier, in northern Morocco. The cave extends over a distance of thirty meters in the belly of the mountain, and dozens of myths were woven around the cave, most of them dating back to the Greek culture. But archaeologists complain about neglecting this historical monument, which led to the closure of the bulk of the cave and almost ended it to its complete collapse. . The Cave of Hercules is considered the largest cave in Africa, and the cave has attracted many tourists since its discovery in 1906. The cave overlooks the Atlantic Ocean not far from the Gibraltar Bojas, where the waters of the Mediterranean meet the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and it belongs to the group of Caves of Ashkar, which dates back to Settled to five thousand years BC. The Cave of Hercules is a deep cave on which the waves of the sea break at each tide, and visitors enter it in the dark as it lasts until it leaves the opening of light, which is a window under the mountain overlooking the waters of the Atlantic, and you draw a map similar to that of Africa, and entering the cave constitutes a world of mystery It is fed by the ancient myth about the history of the cave, which says that Africa was connected to Europe, and this middle region separates the Sea of ​​Rum (the Mediterranean) from the Sea of ​​Darkness (the Atlantic Ocean), and when Atlas son of Neptune had three daughters who lived in a grove that throws golden apples and is guarded by a monster, his killer Hercules (son of Jupiter) defeated him, but Hercules, in anger from the wrath of the conflict, struck the mountain and split, so that the blue waters of the Mediterranean mixed with the green waters of the Atlantic, and Europe separated from Africa, then Hercules married his son Sofakis to one of the daughters of Neptune so that their marriage yielded a beautiful girl...