Orlova Chuka cave

Orlova Chuka cave is a national tourist site situated in the rock massif near village of Pepelina, at the valley of Cherni Lom River. It is 6 km west from town of Dve mogili and 40 km north from town of Ruse.

Asphalt road Ivanovo-Dve mogili leads to the area of the cave. The road turns off to a wide meadow above the rocks where the entrance of the cave is. Safeguarded path with parapets goes down to the cave.

Orlova Chuka is one of the most beautiful caves in Bulgaria. It is 13 500 m long and is the second longest cave in the country after Duhlata cave.

History

The name of the cave (Eagle's rocky peak in English) is related with the rock wreath at its entrance. In the recent past it was an eagles' shelter.

The discovering of the cave was accidental in the summer of 1941. Its cave-developing started in 1959 when 124 stone steps were constructed and an artificial tunnel-entrance was drilled. In 1960 speleologists from town of Ruse started its exploring. Two huge cave bears and three small bear-cubs were found.

In 1963 Orlova Chuka was announced as a natural landmark and in 1965 as a museum reserve. In 1978 it was added to the list of the archeological monuments of Ruse region.

Inside the cave

The cave has a hardly visible entrance facing in western direction. At its entrance and easily accessible parts it is well-arranged and convenient for visitation. Visitations are accompanied by a guide. The temperature inside is comparatively permanent in all seasons (+14 C). 

Several cave galleries with common length of over 15 km set on 7 floors were shaped here. They are checkered with many stalactites, stalagmites and 'stalaktons' most of which bear different names. Many beautiful stalactites are located in The Big Vestibule - the most impressive of them is The Big Stalakton - 3.5 m high. In The Big Vestibule is set The Family as well - father, mother, daughter, The Saw, The Cave Geyser, The Spindle and The Heap.

One of the most beautiful places in the cave is the spring. The stalagmites next to it are in milk-white colours. Near the spring are The Dry Dam, The Lonely Stalakton, The Small Forest, The Monks, The Little Deer and The Twins. The screes are 11 consecutive halls. In some of the galleries aragonite crystals may be found.

The inhabitants of the cave are some of the cave invertebrates and 8 species of bats. Orlova Chuka is the most important shelter of these bats in North-eastern Bulgaria. It is with European significance of the bats preserving as a whole.

Orlova Chuka in the past

It was found out that the cave was inhabited by Neanderthal men in the Paleolithic period (80 000 - 40 000 BP). The speleologists found knives, a gad and flint scrapes. The Cro-Magnon of the European Upper Paleolithic lived here as well. He left us parts of a beautifully decorated clay utensil, a stone axe, etc.

Internet sources: www.dvemogili.bg http://www.orlovachuka.eu www.wikipedia.org http://www.vmro-rousse.hit.bg/Turizum/Orlova_4uka.html
Pictures: Mirela, http://caves.4at.info