Shulgan-Tash Cave, as the local population calls it, is located in the Belaya River Valley . A research station has been equipped here, a museum has been opened and a speleological laboratory is being opened. For those who wish to take a look at this miracle on their own, it will be useful to visit special excursions.
Kapova Cave is a huge three-tier gallery of underground halls created in karst rock by the Shulgan riverbed. Mount Sarykuskan hides a strikingly beautiful entrance. The dimensions of what he saw are astounding: the height of the arch is 22, and the width is 40 meters. To the left of the giant gate is the lake, which serves as the source of the Shulgan River. The depth of the lake is 35 m, and its diameter is only 3 meters. This is where you can meet divers-cavers. Lake water is saturated with minerals, therefore not suitable for drinking, but due to its composition is extremely useful for wellness baths.
In Shulgan Tash, a river flows on the lower floor, at the middle level there are huge halls, a transparent lake, which is four hundred meters in diameter, and the upper floor, which is located at an altitude of about 40 m above the Belaya River. In total, scientists count 2,250 m of underground passages, 9 halls and a large number of grottoes. The most interesting will be to see the Hall of Signs, the Hall of Chaos, the Diamond and Dome Halls.
Stalactites and stalagmites were found in the cave
, many of which were vandalized by vandals for souvenirs. This hooliganism stopped only after the place was given the status of a reserve.
Kapova cave in Bashkiria is of historical interest. Here are found wall pictures of mammoths, horses, rhinos and bisons dated to the Paleolithic period. In addition, drawings of geometric figures, huts, stairs and oblique lines were found, most of them were made with ocher, some with charcoal. The cave is millions of years old, and the first settlers appeared here 18 millennia ago. Findings of tools made of limestone and calcite, fragments of primitive hunting tools made of silicon and jasper in the Hall of Signs allow us to draw conclusions about the parking of ancient people. In difficult periods associated with bad weather, they drove livestock to the lower tier, they themselves were located on the second. The presence of primitive people in these places is evidenced not only by drawings on the rocks, but also finds by archaeologists. Among them are tools and weapons.
Such an ancient abode is surrounded by traditions. Kapova cave gave rise to many legends and myths. The Bashkir epic describes the people living here as the keepers of gold, a good tribe with water mills and weapons. In other traditions, the demon Shulgen is mentioned, who went under water after losing in battle with the hero.
Kapova cave is very popular among tourists. Many tourists visit fancy grottoes, admiring the ancient drawings. In the guide to Bashkiria Kapova cave is indicated, how to get to it and what sights you can see. In addition to the cave on the territory of the Shulgan-Tash nature reserve, a museum of nature and the Bee Forest Museum are open for visitors. Everyone can visit the phytobar, an observation deck, children's playgrounds. There are also specially equipped bathing areas.