Kapova Cave - a miracle of nature

The Shulgan-Tash cave, as its local population calls it, is located in the Belaya River valley . There is a research station, a museum is open and a speleological laboratory is planned to open. Those who wish to take a look at this miracle themselves will benefit from special excursions.

Kapova Cave is a huge three-level gallery of underground halls created in the karstic rock by the channel of the Shulgan River. Mount Sarykuskan hides an amazingly beautiful entrance. The size of the seen is amazing: the height of the arch is 22, and the width is 40 meters. To the left of the giant gate is a lake, which serves as the source of the Shulgan River. The depth of the lake is 35 m, and its diameter is only 3 m. It is here that you can meet divers-speleologists. The lake water is rich in minerals, so it is not suitable for drinking, but thanks to its composition it is extremely useful for improving baths.

In Shulgan-Tash, a river flows on the lower floor, on the middle level there are huge halls, a transparent lake, which is as much as four hundred meters in diameter, and the upper floor, which is located about 40 m above the Belaya River. In total, the scientists have 2,250 m of underground passages, 9 halls and a large number of grottoes. Most interesting will be the Hall of Signs, the Hall of Chaos, the Diamond and Dome Halls. In the cave there are stalactites and stalagmites, many of which were dismantled by tourists-vandals for souvenirs. This hooliganism ceased only after the place was given the status of a reserve.

Kapova Cave in Bashkiria is of historical interest. Here, wall images of mammoths, horses, rhinoceroses and buffalo, dating from the Paleolithic period, were found. In addition, drawings of geometric figures, huts, stairs and oblique lines are found, most of them are made with ocher, some with coal. The age of the cave totals millions of years, and the first settlers here appeared 18 thousand years ago. Finds of tools made of limestone and calcite, fragments of primitive hunting tools from silicon and jasper in the Hall of Signs allow you to draw conclusions about the site of ancient people. In difficult periods associated with bad weather, they drove the cattle to the lower tier, themselves located on the second. The stay in these places of primitive people is evidenced not only by drawings on rocks, but also by finds of archaeologists. Among them are tools and weapons.

Such an ancient abode is surrounded by legends. Kapova Cave has spawned many legends and myths. The Bashkir epic describes people living here as gold custodians, a kind tribe, having water mills and making weapons. Other legends mention the demon Shulgen, who went under water after losing a fight with a hero.

Kapova Cave is very popular with tourists. A lot of tourists visit the quaint grottoes, admiring the ancient drawings. The guide to Bashkiria shows Kapova Cave, how to get to it and what sights you can see. In addition to the cave itself, on the territory of the Shulgan-Tash Nature Reserve there is a museum of nature and the Museum "Bee Forest". Everyone can visit the phytobar, observation deck, children's playgrounds. There are also specially equipped places for swimming.