The seashell grotto at Margita is an underground wonder that hides the secrets of a thousand years ago, which is an underground passage lined with intricate frescoes made entirely of sea shells.
It was discovered in 1835, experts have still not been able to make a final estimate of its age, and its purpose also remains completely unknown - although some theories suggest that it may be due to the Knights Templar, a prehistoric astronomical camera or a hobby of some wealthy guy from the 18th century.
Whatever the reason for its existence, there is no doubt that the mysterious grotto is one of the most fascinating and beautiful underground wonders.
Just imagine, it contains 4.6 million shells, 30 meters of winding underground passages leading to a rectangular chamber and 2,000 square meters of mosaics!
What is this? An ancient pagan temple? A meeting place for some secret cult? No one can explain who built this amazing place, or why, but since its accidental discovery, visitors from all over the world have been intrigued by the beautiful mosaics and unsolved mystery.
The grotto opened its doors to the public in 1838 and came as something of a surprise to the residents of Margaret; it was never marked on any map, and there were no stories of its construction told in the city. Ever since the first paying clients descended the chalk stairs, a controversy has flared up about the origin of the grotto: for every expert who considers it an ancient temple, there is someone else convinced that this is the meeting place of a secret sect; for every fiery heathen there is a mad regency merchant to spoil their fun.
Promotional video:
At first glance, the design of the grotto only adds to the confusion, with humble cockerels, clams, mussels and oysters creating a swirl of patterns and symbols abundant. A pantry for imagination and something very similar to an altar …
There is only one indisputable fact about the grotto: it is a unique piece of art that must be appreciated and preserved, regardless of its age or origin.