Humanity has always sought to explore the unknown. Underground caverns are an ideal place for this endeavor. Every year, Russian speleologists discover new caves with unique natural characteristics, rich in archaeological finds and mysterious legends. This year, for example, caves were discovered in Crimea, but according to speleologists, this is not the only place where unexplored objects remain.
Submerged Caves
It is believed that there are almost no blank spots left on the map of our planet. However, the desire to make geographical discoveries has not waned and continues to excite hearts. Today, the eyes of future explorers are directed towards outer space, the depths of the sea, and underground. However, space flights are inaccessible to ordinary citizens, exploring the ocean floor is very expensive and technically challenging, but becoming a speleologist and making a genuine scientific discovery is quite realistic.
In February of this year, several previously unknown caves were discovered in Crimea. According to Gennady Samokhin, the chairman of the Crimean branch of the Russian Geographical Society, these cavities are of interest for studying the hydro system of the Simferopol reservoir and are incredibly beautiful. Particularly impressive are the stalactite formations that have appeared due to the flow of water.
Another striking discovery was the underwater cave Djirhva with crystal clear water. As of today, cave divers have descended to a depth of 34 meters into the underground lake, whose length, according to expert estimates, can reach up to 300 meters. The secrets that this cave may hold can only be guessed at.
However, the most attractive object for exploration turned out to be the underwater cave Sakaska, discovered in the late 2000s in Bashkortostan at the bottom of the Yumaguzinsky reservoir. According to speleologists, this cave, with a length of about 20 kilometers, can claim to be the longest in Russia.
So far, participants in the expedition that took place in 2021 have only been able to advance 150 meters, reaching a huge hall where, according to their words, a nine-story residential building could easily fit! Today, new expeditions are being prepared, during which speleologists hope to more carefully study the underwater voids filled with water.
Visiting the Mistress’s Domain
Legends about the Mistress of the Copper Mountain have always been popular in the Urals. Speleologists believe that the objects of their research do indeed hide something mysterious.
One of the most famous is the Ordinskaya Cave, hidden in the depths of the Kazakovskaya Mountain in the Perm Krai. Its above-ground part is 300 meters long, and the underwater part is 4600 meters. Speleologist divers have given beautiful names to the grottos of the cave. The Ordinskaya Cave begins with the Crystal Grotto, followed by the lake and the Ice Palace. Next are the Main and Warm Lakes.
The galleries of the cave bear geographical names: Moscow, Sverdlovsk, Krasnoyarsk, and Chelyabinsk passages. Each of them was discovered by a representative of the named cities.
In 1997, the first all-Russian speleological underwater expedition explored the waters of this cave. Officially, only small shrimp inhabit them. However, among Russian speleologists and their colleagues from other countries, there is a persistent belief that the invisible Mistress resides in the May Passage of the cave. She does not like the presence of strangers in her possessions and tests guests for courage and resourcefulness. Those who pass the tests during their first visit can subsequently dive underwater without fear.
It must be said that various legends are associated with many caves. The plots of some of them are so mystical that they send shivers down the spine.
Old and New Worlds
In the Irkutsk region, the Botovskaya Cave is well known. The size of its tunnels exceeds 30 kilometers, but no one has reached their end yet. Speleologists divide its underground space into two parts: the New World and the Old World.
In the first part, one can walk in full height, admiring stalactites and stalagmites, while in the second, bending is necessary due to low ceilings. Since 1946, more than 50 cave bear skeletons up to 700 thousand years old have been discovered in the cave! It’s frightening to imagine if it turns out that one of the ancient predators miraculously survived inside.
Interesting legends are associated with the Bolshaya Azishskaya Cave in the Krasnodar Territory. Legends claim that once a sorcerer lured the daughter of a local ruler into the underground. The girl couldn’t be returned, and an interesting belief emerged among the locals.
In the cave, in a chamber called the Wedding Hall, a huge stalactite grows. It is the only one in the country with its own name – the Sword of Damocles. It is believed that someday it will fall on the head of a sinner or a black sorcerer and dispel his charms.
Glyphs on the Walls
For those who want to feel like real archaeologists and try to decipher drawings that are over 14 thousand years old, it’s worth descending into the Shulgan-Tash Cave in Bashkortostan. On its walls, with the help of red ochre, ancient inhabitants depicted horses, bisons, mammoths, and mysterious creatures resembling humans.
Archaeologists believe that a sanctuary where human sacrifices were made was once located here. Speleologists say that the atmosphere inside the cave is very oppressive.
Human skeletons were also found in Khakassia, in a cave with the grim name of Pandora’s Box. Scientists believe that there was an underground temple of an unknown religious cult. And tourists who dare to descend into the cave called the Black Devil are warned by guides of a possible encounter with the spirit of a shaman wandering through local passages.
However, the most famous cave visited by tourists from all over the world is the legendary Kungur Cave in the Perm Region. Foreign experts have included it in the list of “Ten Most Impressive Caves in the World.” Indeed, the karst vaults are very beautiful and resemble crystal ones. Inside, there are 48 grottos and about 70 lakes.
One hundred and ten years ago, in 1914, the Kungur Cave became the first in the country where authorities allowed organized groups. But this year it was closed to visitors due to the threat of collapse. When tourists will be able to descend underground again is still unknown.
However, there is no need to despair – Russia still has a considerable number of underground beauties open to speleologists and ordinary tourists. For anyone wishing to tread an uncharted path, decipher rock paintings, or make an archaeological discovery in Russia, there will always be their own cave.
Champion of cave technology, member of the Cave Explorers Association Denis Provalov, who led expeditions to the deepest cave on the planet Voronya (also known as Krubera Cave), told GORUS where new discoveries can be made.
“Cave exploration in our country has great prospects. The mountain range of Fisht in Adygea is very interesting. Here, there are caves with intriguing names like Soaring Bird and Behemoth, and there is a great chance of discovering new ones. However, the climate in the area is very severe. There is a lot of ice, making it difficult even for experienced speleologists to descend.
No less curious is the mountain range of Alek near Sochi. Speleologists train in its flooded caves. Despite the popularity of Alek, the local mountains have not yet revealed all their secrets. Speleologists aspiring to be pioneers should take a closer look at this place. The climate here is milder than in Adygea, and the chances of finding new underground voids are very high.
It is worth noting that in 2019, an electronic database of caves in Russia was created, which includes 4682 objects. However, the compilers honestly noted that their list is far from complete.
No one knows the exact number of caves in the mountains of Russia. This gives each explorer, thirsty for discovery, more chances to fulfill their dream. But descending underground is only worth it after undergoing special training, having tested equipment, and being part of a group of like-minded people. As experienced speleologists say, these rules are dictated by life. If followed, the underground world will reveal itself to you in all its splendor.
By Dmitry Sokolov
Photos provided by Denis Provalov