Smolinskaya Cave, Protected limestone cave near Beklenishcheva village, Russia
Smolinskaya Cave is a limestone system beneath Beklenishcheva that stretches through interconnected passages and chambers for nearly 900 meters. The passageways descend more than 100 feet (30 meters) into the earth, creating a sprawling underground network.
The cave was first explored and documented in 1890, with detailed mapping completed by local researcher Vasily Olesov just a few years later. Prior to this scientific attention, Orthodox monks had already inhabited its chambers in earlier decades.
Orthodox monks lived here during the 1800s and named the chambers with religious references like the Great Cell and Altar. These names still echo through the passages today, marking where people once sought spiritual shelter.
The entrance sits about 40 feet (12 meters) above ground on a sloped ravine wall, so reaching it requires careful footing and preparation. Exploring inside demands proper equipment and knowledgeable guidance to navigate the descending passages safely.
Until the middle of the 20th century, this housed one of Europe's largest water bat colonies, with creatures covering the rock walls in darkness. The population declined sharply afterward, revealing how fragile underground ecosystems truly are.
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