Saeva Dupka

Only 100 km away from the capital is the underground pearl of Bulgaria. One of our most beautiful caves – Saeva Dupka*, is located 3 km south of the village of Brestnitsa, Lovech region, 10 km from Yablanitsa and 25 km from Teteven.

It is estimated to be about 3 million years old. According to a legend, the cave is named after two twin brothers – the shepherds Sayu and Seyo who discovered it by accident and used it as a shelter during the Ottoman rule.It is located at 520 m above sea level. It is only 205 meters long but it is unique with its colors – green, brown and white, and fantastic in shape, size and number stalactites, stalagmites and stalactites, helictites and dendrites can be seen in it. The largest stalactite in the cave has a circumference of 60 meters. 70 meters underground a river flows. The year-round temperature is constant – 7-11° C, and humidity – between 90 and 98%. There are five halls and several galleries in the cave. The halls are:

Kupena (The Haystack) which is named so after a large stalagmite, resembling a haystack.

Srutishteto (Тhe Llandslide) – named after a strong earthquake during which all the stalactites in the hall broke off and fell. Since the collapse, one of the stalactons has been broken into the shape of a cannon. Newly formed small formations can already be seen on its ceiling.

Harmana** which got its name because of its flat floor and was also called the Concert Hall because of its excellent acoustics.

Cosmos which is called so because of the stalactite in it in the shape of a rocket. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs can also be seen in this room.

Beliyat Zamak (the White Castle) so named after the huge stalactite in the shape of a castle that has been formed in it.

In 1962 Saeva Dupka cave has been declared a natural landmark and is among the 100 national tourist sites in Bulgaria. In 1967 is well-developed and electrified. It was closed in 1990, looted in 1996 and re-illuminated in 2004. During the reconstruction of the cave, animal bones, pottery and even coins dating back to the time of the Roman emperor Anthony have been found. The price of the ticket includes a guide and a talk that will not leave even the most skeptical visitor indifferent.

It has been discovered that during the different seasons the cave is used by at least 8 species of bats. Six of them are among the priorities for protection for the whole of Europe – Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Rhinolophus hipposideros, as well as four species of Vespertilionidae: Myotis myotis, Myotis blythii, Plecotus auritus and Myotis emarginatus. The Saeva Dupka cave is an important place for the conservation of bat populations in the region.

The main attraction around the cave is the Via Ferrata facility – a system of metal ropes, bridges, stairs and railings that serves to overcome complex rock sections without prior mountaineering training, but with alpine equipment. There are several routes of varying difficulty. The experience is exciting and memorable for adrenaline lovers. 2 km away is the farm “Blue Ostriches” – a place especially interesting for children, and 4.5 km – the karst spring Zlatna Panega which is attractive to nature lovers.