ხომულის მღვიმე

Khomuli Cave - Duknistskaro

Useful Information

Location:	Khomuli, East of Tskaltubo. (42.314858, 42.635315)
Open:
Fee:
Classification:	Karst Cave Lower Cretaceous limestones Speleotherapy
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	T=14 °C, A=160 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Khomuli Cave, Imereti Caves Protected Areas Administration, Khomuli, Jumber Leladze, Tel: +995-577-977272, E-mail:
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

1959	first described by the Vakhushti Bagrationi Institute of Geography.
1974	archaeological research by Alexander Kalandadze.
2007	declared a Natural Monument.
2008	cave explored and temperature measured.
2016	plans to offer speleotherapy at the cave published.

Description

ხომულის მღვიმე (Khomuli Cave) is a rather small semi-wilde cave located at the homonymous village Khomuli. It is only 70 m long but has an impressive portal with a width of 18 m and a height of 6 m. The first section is rather spacious, but the rear end is for crawling. The cave is known to the ocals for a very long time ande there were even cncrete trails installed in the cave for unknown reasons. Due to visits with open fire, torches or candles, the speleothems are black from the smoke. This cave is rather dull, but it is very easy to visit and if you are in the area you might want to spend the 30 minutes.

The cave was excavated in the 1970s and numerous human remains were found, from Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Medieval times. In the lower level bones of extinct animal, for example the skull of a cave bear, were found.

The cave has actually two level. The visited part is the upper level which is fossil. There is a lower level which is water filled and is part of the hydrological system of the area. It is responsible for the small pond in front of the cave entrance, which is 5 m deep and has a circumference of 30 m. There is no inflow and no outflow on the surface, the pond is connected with the karst water.

In 2016 the plan to restore the trails and light, and transform the cave into a speleotherapy station was published. The project was planned by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.