Another kind of castle exists in Belgium. This castle is much older, much more grand, and at least as elegantly furnished to befit its Builder. In the heart of Lesse Valley buried deep in a mountain, the castle that I am referring to is the Grotto De Han (Caves of Han –Sur- Lesse).

This cave was formed when the erosive action of the Lesse River carved out a path for itself through the limestone rock dating back to the Palaeozoic Era, 360 million years ago. At one time Belgium was covered by a sea and as we toured the cave we could see shells and fossils on the walls of the caves - layer built upon layer. As with other caverns we found it a bit chilly with a constant 54 degrees (F) and high humidity – bring a light jacket or sweater.

Although the existence of the entrance of the cave had been well known for some time, it was not until 1771 that a genuine exploratory expedition took place and it turned out to be more than just a grotto. Father de Feller, the expedition leader, explored only a short distance from the opening (which is now the exit). By 1860, the cave was being more extensively explored, and public tours were offered by using lighted torches.

In the early 1900s, electricity was added to the cave, and a train was built between the town center and the entrance of the cave. This dramatically increased the number of visitors to 6,000 per year. Continued improvements to accommodate visitors, along with the discovery of several miles of new galleries and a huge cathedral type hall made this natural castle a treasured national attraction. By 1991, two hundred years after its discovery, the number of visitors increased to 350,000 per year.

Many say, "The Grottos de Han has still not given up all her secrets". As we walked through the cave the splendor and grandeur was endless. With one dramatic sight after another we cannot help but think that there is more to come. One room was so large that it is said that over 200 houses could fit inside. Another room contained a sitting area and an impressive colored light and music show that lasted about five minutes. Extremely moving.

We exited the cave by boat, floating on an underground river. As we approached the opening and daylight began to filter in, we were warned to protect our ears from the loud cannon shot about to be heard. It is an old tradition used to scare off the evil spirits that might be lurking inside the cave and is still practiced today.