The underground part of the Crimean Mountains is still a mystery, despite the fact that research is constantly being carried out on the bowels of the peninsula. The underground world of these places is of interest not only for scientists, but also for travelers and cavers.
Location
In the south-west of the Crimean peninsula, on the slope of the Baidar valley, there is the Karadag Forest Tract. There, not far from the village of Rodnikovoe (formerly called Skelya), there is a unique reserved place - Skelskaya Cave.
Origin of the name
Obviously, the name comes from the old name of the village. But there is another option. The structure of the cave resembles a staircase. This suggests that the origin of the name of the cave is from the Greek word "skele", which means "ladder".
Among the numerous Crimean caves (and there are only 80 of them described), the Skelskaya cave is still less visited, since it was equipped for tourists only in 2003. But interest is growing. How to get to the Skelskaya cave, its history, description - all this will be presented inthis article.
History
The cave was discovered at the beginning of the twentieth century, in 1904, by a local village teacher F. A. Kirillov. Compared to other Crimean caves, it is still young. Researchers estimate its age at about 2.5 million years and note the excellent preservation of calcite formations.
Skelskaya cave in Crimea is located 350 m above sea level and differs from other caves in that in order to get into it, you do not need to go down, but, on the contrary, you need to climb the stairs to the entrance.
Once upon a time, underground waters eroded the Upper Jurassic marbled limestone layers for a long time. Subsequently, a tectonic fault occurred, and part of the arch at the top collapsed. A huge underground space has formed. Over time, sinter formations divided it into three so-called halls. This is the origin of the Skelskaya cave. The length of its galleries is 670 m. Compared to others, the Skelskaya cave is the closest to Sevastopol.
Since 1964, it has been recognized as a natural monument. In 2011, the cave was re-equipped: the lighting was changed, the passages and stairs were expanded, the fences were strengthened. The tour route is 270 meters.
Skelska Cave is filled with many sintered calcite formations and shapes in white and reddish-pink color, which, thanks to skillful illumination, awaken the imagination of visitors.
Tour
Climbing the firstplatform, you will be taken to the Fireplace Hall. It has such a name because of the influx formation, which has taken the form of a fireplace and is beautifully illuminated. A stalagmite grew nearby like a guardian of a cave.
On the second platform there is a hall 80 m long, 18 m wide and 25 m high. Stalagnates rise in it, created by nature by merging stalagmites rising from below and stalactites hanging from the ceiling. On the walls, as it were, curtains and ribs made of streaks. Here you can, looking at the influxes, imagine a waterfall and a dragon's head with eyes and protruding fangs. But the most interesting formation resembles a Phoenix bird. It consists of a tilted formation and a young vertical stalagmite growing on it.
These fabulous sinter forms grow extremely slowly - 1 cm in 100 years. One more climb and you are in the Knight's Hall. It has a 7 m tall stalagmite resembling a knight with a spear. It is believed that this is the highest stalagmite in the Crimea. Visitors can distinguish on the walls the contours of the famous castle "Swallow's Nest", and to the right of it - an image similar to the Foros Church.
Sags and sags are very beautiful; their reddish-pink color is due to the presence of iron and manganese in limestone.
We rise even higher - and you are in the Dolphin Hall, or in the Hall of Ghosts. Here is a stalagmite resembling a dolphin that jumps out of the water. The mysterious atmosphere turns on the imagination. The spikes on the ceiling of the cave speak of how stalactites are born. Hundreds of thousands of years will pass, and they will turn into hanging icicles of extraordinary beauty.
Touristsshow two levels of the cave - middle and upper. But there is also a lower one, which is flooded with underground lakes. It is connected to the upper levels by wells 25–45 m deep. In narrow galleries, underground lakes and rivers splash, into which water comes from the Besh-Tekne basin on the Ai-Petrinsky plateau. They, in turn, replenish the Baydar reservoir.
In the spring, during the flood, meltwater floods the lower level of the cave, then rises to the very top. And then you can see how a stormy mountain river breaks out of the cave. Therefore, visiting these places in the spring is not recommended. Skelskaya cave is considered warm; temperature in the middle and upper levels +12 Celsius, in the lower - +9.
Animal world
The fauna of the Skelskaya cave is listed in the Crimean Book of Records. Endemic creatures live here, that is, living exclusively in this part of the Earth. These are various spiders, beetles, crustaceans (shrimps-like amphipods), centipedes, bats, etc. The researchers found plankton here that does not exist on the surface of the earth. The remains of animals that once lived here were found in the cave: saiga antelope, forest cat, red deer.
The world of the cave is fantastic - because the creatures that live in it have never seen the light of the sun. The complete absence of vision led to the improvement of their organs of touch. They can only exist in this cave.
Tourist amenities
As a result of reconstruction in 2011, all tracksbridges, steps, platforms are equipped with modern equipment that creates optical illusions, emphasizes the fantastic, mysterious beauty of sinter formations, immerses you in an unreal world. The visitor sees outlandish animals, numerous fairy tale characters, outlines of strange figures, sights of the Crimea (Swallow's Nest, etc.) This causes surprise and admiration of tourists.
Photo of the Skelskaya cave, unfortunately, cannot fully convey the atmosphere that reigns in this amazing place. After the tour, you will have indelible memories. Since the cave is located far from crowded tourist routes, you have the opportunity to take your time, without haste, to admire the beauties of underground nature.
The mysterious world of mountain caves
Mountain caves are one of the "white spots" on planet Earth. The world of caves beckons and frightens at the same time. They fascinate people in a strange way. In ancient times, they were considered the gates to the underworld with the afterlife. For modern man, they also remain attractive, and this is evident in the increasing number of visits to caves around the world. Now not only scientists, speleologists, but also simply inquisitive people go to these mysterious places. Today it is available to anyone who has a burning desire for adventure. Video and photography is allowed in the cave. Going on a tour, you need to take warm clothes with you, given the temperature inside the cave. Inspection of the halls lasts 45-50 minutes. How to get to the Skelsk stalactite cave will be describedbelow.
At the exit from the cave, there is a recreation area - a cafe, gazebos with barbecue facilities. In general, everything here is equipped for a comfortable stay of tourists. Every year more and more guests are welcomed within their walls by the Skelsky Caves (Crimea).
How to get there
1. If you go in your own car.
Drive out onto the Y alta-Sevastopol highway, having reached the crossroads from Foros to the Baidar Gates, check the road signs. Then turn to Rear, end point - Rodnikovoe, from it there is an asph alt road to the cave.
2. If you go by public transport. Regular bus routes No. 37, 37-a, 41, 41-a, 182 are organized from Sevastopol. The stop is the village of Rodnikovoe, then on foot to the village of Uzundzha.
