What is the Smolinskaya cave? This is a place that has attracted a huge number of tourists for many decades. The cave is located in the south of the Sverdlovsk region. The first explorers visited it over a hundred years ago. Since then, the study of the geomorphological monument has not stopped. According to 2015 data, the length of the cave is 890 meters.
Ever since man learned how to build a dwelling 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, even today there are people who visit it with a metal detector. But even those who do not hope to find the treasure will be interested in the stories told in today's article. Perhaps they will even inspire you to visit the Smolinskaya cave - a place full of secrets and mysteries. But first, let's give information, the reliability of which cannot be doubted.
Location
In what part of the Sverdlovsk region isSmolinskaya cave? In the Kamensk-Uralsky district. How to get to the Smolinskaya cave? You need to get to the village of Beklenishcheva, located in the same Kamensk-Uralsky district. There is a cave two kilometers from this settlement. You can get there by car along the P354 highway. From the highway to the Smolinskaya cave there are two exits. The first one is on the bridge over the Iset river. The second exit is located between the village of Beklenishcheva and the village of Gorny.
Legends of the Smolinskaya Cave
According to some sources, a woman once lived near her, causing great suspicion among the locals. In the neighborhood, she was considered a witch. She may not have practiced witchcraft, but every time there was a pestilence, she had to take refuge in a cave. Only in this way could she be saved from the massacre of the villagers. According to another legend, there was no witch here, but there lived a hermit who made himself a wooden hut not far from the grotto.
There is another semi-fictional story. As is known from numerous fairy tales, such places attract robbers and adventurers. Smolinskaya cave is no exception. Here, too, criminals once lived, and one of them met his death in the grotto. Fleeing from the authorities, he took refuge here for a short time, but could not get out. Being seriously wounded, the robber died a painful death, bleeding to death. The last story is confirmed. One of the local historians in the description of the Smolinskaya cave mentioned the discovery of a human skull.
Old Believer monks
The stories about the Old Believers who once lived in the cave are the most trustworthy. In the book about the temples and churches of Yekaterinburg, published at the beginning of the 20th 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 19th century there was a male skete here.
Start research
At the end of the 19th century, local historian Vasily Olesov was actively involved in the study of the area in which the Smolinskaya cave is located. He became the first researcher to publish its description. In August 1890, the local historian went to the cave with his son. The first thing they found here, descending the steps, was a large dark grotto, which was approximately two hundred meters long.
The main corridor was four to six meters wide. The walls were of dense limestone, and the soil was clayey. Then Olesov and his son went to the second grotto, which turned out to be much wider. From here, the descent along a narrow staircase, consisting of 14 steps, already began. Here, the researchers found a room that most of all resembled a monastic cell.
Description of the cave local historian published in1890 in the local newspaper. In his article, he also mentioned the 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, steps are carved and carved in stones and clay. In the description compiled by Olesov, it was also said about the human skull. However, the local historian himself did not see him, but only heard from one of the inquisitive visitors to the cave.
Seventy years after Olesov visited the cave, the data he provided were confirmed by Soviet speleologists. They made the first topographic survey. Scientists also noted that since the time when the local historian of the 19th century visited the cave, it has not undergone significant changes.
Bats
Smolinskaya cave, the photo of which can be seen in this article, is quite famous, accessible. There are rules for visiting such places. One of them says: "do not disturb the bats." In Europe, the population of aquatic nightlight has recently declined. Representatives of this species of bats also lived in the Smolinskaya cave. But the visitors apparently broke the rules. There are mice here today, but there are far fewer of them than, for example, fifty years ago.
Tour
You should not visit the cave without a guide. Travel is better to go as part of an excursion. One of the tourist routes is called "Iset sights". The program includes visits to places such as the Smolinskaya Cave and the Revun Threshold. The tour group usually consists of 20-30 people. You can, of course, go to the cave in your own car. However, this option is suitable for those who are well versed in the area.
Duration of the tour - one day. The cost is 800 rubles per person. The excursion bus departs from Chelyabinsk or Yekaterinburg. The tourist route leads through a village called Perebor. From here you should already go on foot, because an unpaved road begins further. But according to reviews, you can also drive here by car. From the village of Perebor to the cave, walk no more than fifteen minutes.
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 quite 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 there are clay areas, which become very wet during rain. That is, it is better to travel through the cave in dry weather. After a few meters, the passage becomes higher, which allows you to straighten up. The cave itself is quite large and has many passages. The history of these places is quite rich, and therefore, probably, the grottoes have eloquent names. Some remind of the times when Old Believer monks lived here: "Big cell", "Altar". The narrowest passage is called the "Road to Hell".
ThresholdHowler
This is one of the most popular attractions in the Sverdlovsk region. The Iset is a calm river, but here it turns into a turbulent stream. Hence the name. The locals sometimes call the Revun threshold differently - Burkan. Perhaps this name arose in connection with the noise, which is so strong here that it can be heard from afar. There are very few rapids on the rivers of the Middle Urals. That is why Howler is a unique attraction. In the spring, according to reviews, it looks especially impressive. At this time, the threshold is about three hundred meters long.
The river in this place flows in a rocky, beautiful canyon. The highest cliffs are located on the left bank, where there is a popular birch grove among tourists. Those who plan to relax in these places should remember that firewood is not to be found here. You need to either bring everything you need with you or purchase from local residents.
