An Unexpected Grotto Is Hiding Underground In This Cavern In Arkansas
By Melanie Johnson|Published January 05, 2023
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Melanie Johnson
Author
I am a nature lover and self-proclaimed foodie wrapped in one package. In my previous life, I was an Accountant, but numbers were boring and writing is the only thing that fuels my soul. So, I write because it's my freedom...it brings me joy. When I'm not writing dope articles for OnlyInYourState, I am writing and editing articles for my online blog on Medium.com. Or, when I get the chance, I am off on a trip with my family chasing waterfalls, or simply exploring the great outdoors. My mantra is to always find the best part of every day and bask in it.
By now, you’re fully aware that Eureka Springs is the most whimsical town in the state. It’s filled with fairytale treehouses, hobbit caves, enchanting forests, and so much more. But did you know that there is a grotto with an unexpected shrine hiding in an underground cavern in the town? Grotto Spring is a mysterious underground grotto in Arkansas, and you must see it to believe it. Step inside this cavern and see what you can uncover.
Eureka Springs got its name from the many natural springs that run through the town. And those springs are believed to have healing properties.
One such spring is hidden inside an underground grotto inside the town, and you must stop by to see it for yourself.
Esto Perpetua is what is etched in the stone above the opening of Grotto Spring. It’s Latin for “let it be perpetual,” which implies that the healing waters of this spring will forever flow.
This mysterious spring is located on Spring Street near the trolley stop #89. You can easily stop by the spring anytime while exploring the whimsical town.
Upon arrival, you’ll fall in love with the serenity of the area. During the warmer months, the landscape is draped in lush green vines as well as peppered with various ornamental plants.
You’ll immediately sense that you’ve arrived at a special and perhaps spiritual place. This spring might be small, but it is shrouded in lots of mystery.
As you descend down the concrete steps of the opening of the grotto, you’ll sense there is something waiting inside for you to discover. Doesn’t the opening remind you of a hobbit hole?
On a hot day, you’ll notice that the temperature is about 15 degrees cooler than it is outside. So, it makes the cavern a great spot to seek refuge from the brutal summer heat.
Besides the change in temperature, you’ll also notice that there is a shrine inside the grotto. This mysterious shrine is etched with odd symbols and surrounded with candles that are always burning.
You’ll also find graffiti left behind by previous visitors. There are openings behind the shrine, but who knows what’s lurking inside those crevices.
Depending on the time of year you visit, the spring that runs through the grotto might be just a trickle. But the grotto and shrine are worth seeing as well as the gorgeous surroundings.
You’ll love this unique grotto hiding underneath the whimsical town.
Have you been inside this mysterious underground grotto in Arkansas? If so, tell us all about your experience in the comments below. To find out more about Grotto Spring, visit the Eureka Springs, Arkansas Facebook page.
