The incredibly popular unique caves in Abkhazia were formed millions of years ago. It is not for nothing that the country of picturesque resorts and snow-capped peaks is called a paradise for all lovers of the underworld, because there are slopes for beginners and professionals. Today, our story will be about the famous attractions of the region, attracting a huge number of tourists.
Natural wonder
Perhaps the most famous is the largest cave in the republic, discovered in 1961. Athos (Abkhazia), located on the Black Sea coast, is famous not only for its picturesque landscapes, but also for its spiritual significance man’s monastery and an amazing natural miracle.
The attraction located in the bowels of the Iverskaya Mountain was unknown to the general public for a long time, although the locals knew about the frightening bottomless well, where not a daredevil dared to go down. And only 55 years ago, a world- famous cave was opened .
At first, the scientists suffered a terrible disappointment. Having reached the bottom, the researchers found unremarkable clay walls, but later a stunningly beautiful hall was found that delighted many cavers. As it turned out, the Athos caves in Abkhazia concealed the most real treasures that everyone can explore today.
Fascinating tour
It took fourteen years to equip the New Athos cave and provide a comfortable descent into the ground. Four entrances lead to the natural creation, three of which are created artificially, and the only natural hole is in the arch of the Anacopia Hall.
Now the entrance to the underground kingdom is located in the administrative building, where you can buy souvenirs with the symbols of the most famous cave in Abkhazia (photo is presented in the article), CDs with stories about the unique world and eat in the dining room before starting an exciting journey.
It is interesting that an electric train delivers to the underground halls of tourists through a special transport tunnel. The route is about two kilometers long, but not all grottoes are available for viewing unprepared visitors.
It should be noted that after the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, the names of the halls were changed.
Anacopia (Abkhazia)
The first room available for viewing is the deepest. The length of the Anacopia, which has the shape of an elongated bag, is about 150 meters. Of interest is the unusual bottom, covered with powerful boulders and clay pieces formed after the destruction of limestone.
This gray hall will not surprise with colors, and the strict tones of the walls and the arch of the grotto are revived only by a spotlight with a greenish tint. In its light, the muddy waters of underground lakes hiding in the dark play with emerald colors. Often this hall was flooded with boiling water, which overflowed the banks and reached the limestone vault, which made visiting the cave in Abkhazia impossible, and only after the construction of the drain was the problem solved.
Mahadzhir Hall (Georgian Speleologists Hall)
The largest hall, once named after the discoverers, extends over 260 meters. Divided into several parts by huge boulders, it will surprise with clay ravines and an incomprehensible origin funnel filled not with water but with liquid mud. Periodically, the basin opens, and a muddy lake rises from there, leaving a few hours later.
In the middle of the funnel is a mountain of white calcium, which looks completely unrealistic. The hall differs from others in a fantastic landscape resembling the surface of another planet. There is also a long and high cave bridge, erected for the safety of visitors. A 120-meter flyover passes during floods, and after viewing the hall, a lit observation deck opens up where you can take beautiful photographs and relax to the flowing quiet music.
Narta (Clay Hall)
In the next room, living creatures were discovered, which distinguishes him from the rest. The waters of the underground lake are inhabited by translucent crustaceans and a trius beetle without eyes, which lack of organs of vision does not interfere with agile swimming and climbing on uneven walls.
All cave lakes, interconnected, form a single system with the Mtsyrkha River. And through this hall, covered with clay layers, the main stream of water enters, which floods part of the cave in Abkhazia.
Apsny (Tbilisi)
The colors of the underworld become brighter closer to the surface. The light of the lanterns falls on crystals, acquiring the most incredible shades. The bright room, reminiscent of a fairy-tale palace, is famous for clusters of stalactites. The magical landscape of a unique grotto shimmering in different colors leaves a lasting impression.
In the center of the beautiful Apsny is a frozen calcium waterfall that does not reach the floor just a few meters. From the stunning sight of visitors who are imbued with the grandeur of Mother Nature, the spirit freezes with delight.
For more than two million years, few people knew about the natural miracle of New Athos, and now tourists are rushing from all over the globe to enjoy the underground beauty of the largest cave in Abkhazia.
The deepest cave in the world
Not all natural masterpieces can be examined without special equipment. The republic has several hardest caves for researchers, and one of them is a local attraction, opened in 1960.
The underground kingdom located in the Gagra Range represents a whole system of vertical wells connected by galleries. There are no tourist routes laid out, so it is recommended to go down only as part of a professional group.
The ramified Crow's Cave in Abkhazia, a large-scale study of which began at the beginning of this century, is recognized as the deepest in the world. For many years this title was worn by the French dungeons, leaving in the bowels of the earth for 1,600 meters.
Speleological expeditions to the Arabica massif were carried out several times a year, and after each study, scientists announced their exit to a new depth. The entrance to the cave is located at an altitude of approximately 2200 meters above sea level.
Abrskila
Another popular mountain beauty is in the village of Otap. Remote from the main tourist routes, it still attracts thousands of travelers who admit that this is the real kingdom of calcareous growths. Stalactites stretching to the floor, columns of stalagmates and magical galleries of stalagmites make an indelible impression. It seems that the guests of Abrskila fell into a wonderful fairy tale from which one does not want to get out.
Vorontsov caves
Located in the Khostinsky district, an underground system with 14 entrances is famous for sunny Abkhazia. Caves connected to each other abound in archaeological finds. At different times, scientists discovered here the sites of ancient people and the bones of a primitive man. Many grottoes will delight with multi-meter stalactites and underground waterfalls.
Excursions to the underground fairy tale
Unfortunately, a huge number of natural masterpieces go unnoticed, and many unique caves are known to a small circle of specialists. It’s not safe to go to many bottomless wells, but those who want to try their hand should remember about high humidity and low temperature.
The best way to personally see the numerous caves of Abkhazia is an excursion, which can be pre-ordered. Entertaining and educational programs for vacationers include viewing the most interesting sights of the country.
A trip to the caves equipped for visiting will open the door to an unknown world, which will give vivid impressions from a close acquaintance with an underground fairy tale.