Welcome

Dear visitor, welcome to the Troglocaris site.

These pages are all in Dutch and therefor incomprehensible for the average English visitor. I don't intend to keep up the entire site in four languages, besides my English is too crappy for that. So you'll have to make do with this concise summary.

In the south of the Dutch province of Limburg and a small part of the Belgian province of Limburg a typical sort of limestone is found called 'mergel'. It has been mined since the Middle Ages in underground quarries. A number of different techniques have been used for mining the marl from the quarries, which vary in age. Some quarries are abundantly decorated with old texts, the oldest stemming from the 15th century.
There are a lot of enthusiasts in this region who regularly visit a quarry, 'berg' as we say it here. These people are called: 'berglopers'. Some go into the 'berg' to do research into all kinds of aspects of the underground quarries like mining techniques, biology (bats, insects, fungus), geology (crustation, flint, faults), paleontology, history (mining). Most enthusiasts however visit the quarries for their leisure. These 'berglopers' ,a breed apart, are comparable to the French 'cataphiles'. Some of them also visit quarries and other underground objects abroad and have made it a way of life. Some of them are obsessed, and I am one of them. I am obsessed about underground objects in general and limestone quarries in particular. I started this site for fun and also for explaining to laymen what 'berglopen' is all about.

In the menu you can find the following topics:

Troglocaris
An explanation about the little creature, but of course it's just a joke. You see, my family name is Caris.

Mergelgroeven
In this section I talk about how the quarries came into being. Most of them were of course created as a result of the excavating of building blocks.  It is not possible to pinpoint an exact year but it is roughly from the 11th century that limestone was used in the region for the building of churches and monasteries.
There are over 200 marl quarries, some of them quite small, others very large. There is one quarry that is still being used today for excavating  building blocks. Most quarries however have been given a new purpose after having been exhausted. They serve as mushroom nursery, tourist object, bomb shelter, storage, wine cellar etc. Most are wild life sanctuaries because of the bats that hibernate in them. Because of this and the dangers (cave-ins and getting lost) almost all quarries have been closed.

Berglopen
About the uncontrollable urge to go underground. What can I say? But it is also about the gear of the 'bergloper'. This is not just lighting, although this is easily the most important piece of equipment. If the light goes out, how will you ever find your way out? It is also about warm clothing and sturdy shoes and last but not least: food (wiener sausages, potato chips) and drink (beer.) And of course the do's and don'ts when underground: don't leave a mess, don't write on walls, don't make fires, do enjoy the silence and beauty. "Leave nothing but footprints....". 

Souterrains
Artificial underground spaces and some explanation for the layman. Just text at the moment. There are many good sites that need no further addition.

Mijn licht
A picture gallery of my collection of lamps. They are all in working order and I use them regularly. I am not a collector but a user.

Diversen
Under the title Enigma an encoded message that I found in a quarry. I don't have a clue what it says. If you can help me a case of beer will be your reward. 
And eternal fame, of course…

Flessen
Deals with another peculiar trait of mine: I collect bottles that I find in the 'berg'. Old and/or nice looking bottles. Bottles are mostly smashed into smithereens. 
Why all this senseless destruction...? By taking them I protect them from vandals. Bottles can be so beautiful… Very soon you can also see pictures here of my modest collection. 

Foto's
No explanation necessary here I guess! There will be more pics added on a regular base.

Mergelmuur
Berglopers all have something called 'bergteken'. This is a personal sign that is placed by the 'bergloper' on a quarry wall with charcoal. The 'bergteken' is a sort of signature that has no meaning outside of the quarry. 'bergteken' come in different sizes and shapes; initials, symbols, drawings. Some 'bergteken' make a very personal statement with their 'bergteken'. It says something about their hobby or way of life. Others simply choose for initials, sometimes fashioned in an artistic way. This system of recognition is typical of the underground world in which the 'berglopers' live. Other underground (sub)cultures like the French 'cataphiles' don't have this, but have other 'peculiar traits', such as 'tracts'. 

Links
Here I have listed some worth while links. By no means do I wish to suggest this is a complete list, but the sites where they lead to do have exhausting lists that I cannot improve or add to.

Enjoy cruising my site, for comments, additions or tips: mail me at info@troglocaris.com
I will try to read and answer your English mail.

Regards,

Sonnie