Пещера "Венеца"

Venetsa Cave - Wreath Cave - Veneca Pestera

Useful Information

Location:	Kraishte locality. 1 km southwest of Gara Oreshets village, 15 minutes walk. (43.630498, 22.735887)
Open:	All year Tue-Sun 9-18. [2020]
Fee:	Adults BGN 4.80, Children (5-15) BGN 2.40, Children (0-4) free, Students BGN 2.40, Seniors BGN 3.60. Guide BGN 6. [2020]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	LED Lighting
Dimension:	L=200 m.
Guided tours:	D=40 min.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Venetsa Cave, Belogradchik 3945, Tel: +359-88-457-2372.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1970	cave discovered during quarry works.
2014	beginning of development as a show cave.
JUN-2015	opened to the public.

Description

photography — unique sidewards stalactites

The Пещера "Венеца" (Wreath Cave) is the newest show cave of Bulgaria, and not yet mentioned in most printed guidebooks of the country. The trails were constructed mostly as elevated trails in aluminium and steel. The cave is lighted by modern LED light, and visitors are even get a helmet.

The cave was discovered during quarry works in 1970. It was explored by the Cave Club "Bell prilep" (White bat). The show cave is managed by the municipality of Dimovo.

When we first read about a new show cave, we were quite hopeful, but it seems the locals did not do much research beforehand. Unfortunately the cave was equipped with colored light. And while they are quite proud it was made by an Israeli designer, we guess they should have asked an professional instead, the UIS show caves commission for example. Israel has only a single show cave, so they are not really the show cave specialists. The trails are slightly off too, as they were bolted across the formations. Even the helmets are a little curious, because there is no danger of rockfall in a cave. It is explained with narrow connections between the four main halls and the danger to hit your head. Also the cave is not suitable for disabled or overweight people, due to the narrow passages. And somebody even unearthed the "semi-precious" cave-onyx hoax which was buried for good.

The most impressive cave guide myth we heard so far is about the stalactites pointing sidewards. We were a little overwhelmed by this claim, at least until we saw the picture which proofs they really exist. And they are blue.