What is Smolinskaya cave? This is a place that attracts for many decades a huge number of tourists. The cave is located in the south of the Sverdlovsk region. The first researchers visited it more than a hundred years ago. Since then, the study of the geomorphological monument has not stopped. According to 2015, the length of the cave is 890 meters.
Since the person learned to build housing and left the cave, he is surprisingly drawn back to the mysterious underground cavity. What is he looking for there? In the old days, it was believed that treasures could be found in the cave. True, today there are people who visit her with a metal detector. But even those who do not hope to find a treasure will be interested in the stories told in today's article. Perhaps they will even inspire a visit to the Smolinsky Cave - a place full of secrets and mysteries. But first, we give information, the reliability of which there is no doubt.
Location
In what part of the Sverdlovsk region is the Smolinsky cave? In the Kamensk-Uralsky district. How to get to Smolinsky cave? You need to get to the village of Beklenishchev , located in the same Kamensk-Uralsky district. There is a cave two kilometers from this village . By car you can get on the highway " R 354 " . Two exits lead from the highway to the Smolin Cave. The first is over the bridge over the Iset River. The second exit is between the village of Beklenishchev and the village of Gorny.
Legends of the Smolin Cave
According to some sources, a woman once lived near her, causing great suspicion among local residents. In the area she was considered a witch. Perhaps she did not hunt with witchcraft, but every time a cattle pestilence occurred, she had to hide in a cave. Only in this way could she escape from the violence of the villagers. According to another legend, there was no witch here, but there was a hermit who made himself a wooden hut near the grotto.
There is another semi-industrial story. As is known from numerous fairy tales, such places attract robbers and adventurers. Smolinskaya cave is no exception . Criminals also once lived here, and one of them met his death in a grotto. Fleeing from the authorities, he did not take refuge here for long, but he could not get out. Being seriously wounded, the robber died a painful death, bleeding. The latest story has confirmation. One of the local historians in the description of the Smolinsky cave mentioned a discovered human skull.
Old Believer Monks
The greatest trust is in the stories of the Old Believers who once lived in a cave. In the book about the temples and churches of Yekaterinburg, published at the beginning of the XX century, this attraction is mentioned. According to a reliable source, in one of the grottoes there was a cross, in the other - a cell with the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Exploration of the cave began in the nineties of the XIX century. The reasons for its formation are karst processes in limestones. When exactly the cave arose is unknown. But the information contained in the book on the parishes and churches of the Yekaterinburg diocese confirms that in the middle of the XIX century there was a male type of skete.
Start of research
At the end of the XIX century, the study of the area in which the Smolinsky Cave was located was actively studied by the local historian Vasily Olesov . He became the first researcher to publish her description. In August 1890, the local historian and his son went to the cave. The first thing they found here, going down the stairs, was a large dark grotto, which was about two hundred meters long.
The width of the main corridor ranged from four to six meters. The walls were of dense limestone, and the soil was clay. Then Olesov and his son went into the second grotto, which turned out to be much wider. From here, descent along a narrow staircase, consisting of 14 steps, had already begun. Here, researchers and found a room that most resembles a monastic cell.
The local historian published the description of the cave in 1890 in a local newspaper. In his article, he also mentioned a cross painted on the altar, and the names of visitors written on the walls. It is noteworthy that the cave, according to Olesov, was ennobled. Some cells are created artificially. For example, in stones and clay steps are beaten out and carved. In the description compiled by Olesov , it was said about the human skull. However, the local historian himself did not see him, but only heard from one of the curious visitors to the cave.
Seventy years after Olesov visited the cave, the data that he provided were confirmed by Soviet cavers. They made the first topographic survey . Scientists also noted that since the cave was visited by a local historian of the XIX century, it has not undergone significant changes.
The bats
Smolinskaya cave, a photo of which can be seen in this article, is quite famous, accessible. There are rules for visiting such places. One of them says: " don't bother the bats. " In Europe, the water nightlight population has recently declined. Representatives of this species of bats lived in Smolinsky cave. But visitors apparently violated the rules. Today there are mice here, but they are much smaller than, for example, fifty years ago.
Excursion
You should not visit the cave without a guide. Travel is better to go as part of the tour. One of the tourist routes is called Iset Attractions. The program includes visits to places such as Smolinskaya Cave and Howler's Threshold. The tour group usually consists of 20 to 30 people. You can, of course, go to the cave and in your own car. However, this option is suitable for those who are well versed in the area.
The duration of the tour is one day. Cost - 800 rubles per person. The tour bus leaves from Chelyabinsk or from Yekaterinburg. A tourist route leads through a village called Bust . You should already walk from here, because the asphalt road begins further. But according to reviews, you can drive here by car. From the village of Perebor to the cave, walk no more than fifteen minutes on foot.
The cave, according to researchers, has changed little in the first half of the 20th century. And what do tourists see today when visiting one of the most famous natural monuments in the Sverdlovsk region?
Dungeon journey
The entrance to the cave is rather narrow, that is, it will not be possible to go to full height. The bottom in the grotto is covered with stones, but in some places clay sections are found, which become very wet during rain. That is, a trip through the cave is best done in dry weather. The passage after a few meters becomes higher, which allows you to straighten. The cave itself is quite large and has many passages. The history of these places is quite saturated, and therefore, probably, the grottoes have eloquent names. Some recall the times when Old Believer monks lived here: " Big Cell " , " Altar " . The narrowest passage is called The Road to Hell.
Threshold Howler
This is one of the most popular attractions in the Sverdlovsk region. Iset is a calm river , but here it turns into a stormy stream. Hence the name. The howler threshold is sometimes called by the locals otherwise - Burkan. Perhaps this name arose in connection with the noise, which is so strong here that it is heard from afar. There are very few rapids on the rivers of the middle Urals. And therefore, Howler is a unique attraction . In the spring, according to reviews, it looks especially impressive. At this time, the threshold has a length of about three hundred meters.
The river in this place flows in a rocky, beautiful canyon. The highest cliffs are located on the left bank, where there is a birch grove popular among tourists. Those who plan to relax in these places should remember that firewood is not found here. Everything you need to either carry with you, or purchase from local residents.