Syanovskie quarries are limestone cavities of natural and artificial origin. Syany is partly formed by karst cavities and funnels formed under the influence of natural phenomena.
The main caves arose due to the extraction of snow-white limestone. White stone was extracted from here from the 17th to the 20th century. The stone, shining with whiteness, was used for the construction of Moscow. The runways at Domodedovo Airport were built from this limestone. By the 40s of the last century, the Syanovsky quarries were closed.
Historical facts
Tourist interest in abandoned mines flared up in the 70s of the last century. The activity of researchers, their powerful pilgrimage to the caves worried the authorities. By their order, in 1974, the entrance to the caves was walled up with concrete.
A group of old speleologists - Xian pioneers - opened the caves 14 years later, in 1988. The names of the daredevils are inscribed on the wall in one of the grottoes. Currently, these quarries are a popular excursion object in the Moscow region. Up to a hundred people enter the caves on weekends.
General Description
There is an opinion that the Syanovskie quarries, photos of which are taken by tourists descending into them, reach a length of approximately 70 kilometers. Speleologists have currently explored tunnels with a length of about 30 kilometers. Their height varies, reaching 0.4-3.5 meters. At the same time, the total depth of calcareous rocks is 25-30 meters.
The entrance to the caves is inconvenient, it is narrow and constantly covered with wet mud due to the rains flooding it. Rains do not penetrate deep into the catacombs, there is no such slimy mud as at the entrance. A miniature grotto, which is located next to the entrance, is a common gathering place for speleologists.
It contains a cave Journal, reminiscent of a ship's. The researchers of the catacombs, before going to the caves and after returning from them, enter their names (logins) in a huge notebook, accompanying them with witty inscriptions and funny drawings.
The log reflects the statistics of visits. Thanks to him, it is always known how many tourists explore the Syanovskie quarries. Speleologists' testimonials confirm that by opening the Journal, at any time you can find out if any group is overstaying in the cave labyrinth. Perhaps she should already be contacted, find out the situation in which people are, and, if necessary, provide assistance.
The crossroads where the main tunnels converge is a gathering point for tourists who intend to explore the caves. Here, at the “stop of the first carriage”, the largest number of researchers flock. Here they learn from experienced speleologists about the second exit from the quarry,located on the other side of Pakhra, get acquainted with the myths, legends and tales of Xian.
The cleared grottoes in the quarry are numbered, in addition, arbitrary names were invented for them. Some grottoes were called romantic and fabulous, others - strange and indecent names. Named drifts are mapped.
Excursions in Xiang
The caves bring joy to their visitors, giving them the opportunity to seek adventure among countless karst formations. Tourists roam through the multiple carvings in the "Gromov-Sklif-Mlechnik" system, the "Karst" grotto, squeeze through the narrow "Schuchka" manhole-skinner, visiting the Syanovsky quarries.
Excursions are often made to the famous tunnel "Gromov-Sklif-Mlechnik" - a unique line of Xiang. Its far side, Gromov's grotto, is incredibly popular, and curious researchers often climb into it.
Cave "attractions" are widely known here. The tunnel "Smoking Room" became famous for its narrow manhole, consisting of several knees, bent at right angles. It is not difficult to get into the small cave "Pocket", but it is very difficult to get out. The tunnel is a steep descent along the karst passage.
Visitors to the quarry always mention the "keeper of the caves" - the grotto "Aristarkh". The cave "guardian" is a kind of "mummy" made of an old overalls filled with clay and a real human skull topped with a German helmet. Superstitious visitors herethey leave behind all sorts of things: from cigarettes to money, believing that "donations" will not allow them to get lost in Syanakh.
Sights of Xiang
Syanovsky quarries are dotted with natural craters, legendary grottoes, tunnels that every visitor gets into, little-known drifts, caves that are under excavation, and those passages that are still tightly filled up. Some of them have become popular attractions.
Gromov's Grotto
The passages from the natural karst - the famous Gromov Grotto - lead to the caves "Smoking room" and "Bottle". The laz is named after the speleologist Gromov. There is a legend about his agility, claiming that it cost him nothing to get out of this tunnel with a steep descent upside down, spending no more than 15 seconds.
A tight manhole leads into a narrow karst crevice. They squeeze through it, pointing their legs forward, face up, and arms above their heads. A rite of passage for newcomers is held here.
Laz "Bottle"
It is easy to climb into the "Bottle", but it is problematic to get out of it. Climbing out of this hole is just a “song” (in any case, so say the reviews of tourists who managed to squeeze through the crevice in the opposite direction). Difficulties arise when extracting the hips from an excessively narrowed gap. Until you turn them in a certain way, you can't crawl out.
In this case, the elbows must cope with two functions at the same time - to keep the body in the crevice and help crawl along its passage. If you lean against the walls with your feet, your hips will get stuck in an overly narrow tunnel.
Pocket Tunnel
"Pocket" is a cleft that all speleologists "love". The review of tourists about the grotto is as follows: the passage through the tunnel is a dream at night. Memories of him excite the imagination, causing involuntary laughter. The gaping hole is terrifying even when viewed. Down the tunnel, all the daredevils fly with a whistle, and when they rise, they have to make incredible efforts. This grotto must be passed by everyone who enters the Syanovsky quarries.
The Master and Margarita Grotto
The vault of the cave, shining with a moire reflection, is decorated with a fresco "Margarita on a broomstick" and a cross carved into the wall. Here, a tiny stub of a candle is lit under the cross, when the fire fades, a shadow slowly creeps over the cross, creating an infernal picture.
Xian's eyes
Venus Grotto (Eyes of the Caves) is a narrow vertical cleft located between two tunnels. The level of the floor here is different from different sides. On one side, the floor is about 1.5 meters higher. There is an opinion that only girls with a very slim figure can penetrate a narrow gap.
How to get to Syani
Bus No. 439 departs every half an hour from the Domodedovskaya metro station. How to get to Siany by train? People board the train at the Paveletsky railway station, the Nizhnie Kotly (Nagatinskaya metro station) and Biryulyovo-Passenger stations. Get off at Leninskaya station.
