Devetashka Cave – A nature-shaped beauty

           Hello, fellow travelers, Corina again! This summer, on a one-day getaway trip, I visited a well-known cave in Bulgaria, Lovech region: Devetashka Cave. It is relatively close to the city of Veliko Tarnovo.

 I did not know what to expect other than a regular cave but was amazed at its beauty, which was slowly unraveling at each step.

Sursă foto: Corina Mişu

Here are some interesting facts about it:

1.      It was discovered in 1921 and it is said to have been home to our ancestors from the Paleolithic era.

Now it shelters bats. Lots of them!

2.      As one can see from the picture, the cave is very large, it has a surface of 2400 square meters and in some areas, it can reach a height of 100 meters. Not your regular cave at all.

  Sursă foto: Corina Mişu

3.      The openings in the ceiling are the result of human interference, as the cave was excavated in the 1950s for commercial uses. Anyhow, having so much light definitely adds up to its beauty!

4.      Like any raw beauty, it attracts a lot of interest: Expendables 2 shot a scene here between 2011-2012. A quick search on Youtube platform, and you`ll find it.

 Sursă foto: Corina Mişu

5.      As a result of filming in this environment, a lot of bats died to stressful conditions that impeded their hibernation cycle.

  Lovech region is among the most important bat habitats in Europe!

Sursă foto: Corina Mişu

7      Apart from bats, there are a lot of other protected species: amphibians, mammals, and birds. Which is why the cave is not open to tourists in June and July, as it is their mating season.

Despite the tourist activity, the place is very quiet. Aside from the chirping birds, the sound of the river and that of the bats, you won`t hear much.

I enjoyed everything about this cave: the green moss, the wildflowers, the arches that overlook the sky and the tropical feeling you get while being there.

But don`t take my word for it, here are some pictures to prove it!

Let us know if you intend to go there and if you already have, what were your impressions of the place?

Until next time, safe travels!