Devetashka cave, Limestone cave near Devetaki, Bulgaria
Devetashka is a large limestone cave located near the village of Devetaki with a passage system extending approximately 2,400 meters. The main entrance spans about 35 meters wide and 30 meters high, creating sufficient space to explore multiple chambers and side passages.
The cave shows evidence of human use beginning roughly 70,000 years ago, with continuous occupation spanning from the Middle Paleolithic through the Neolithic period. Artifacts discovered at the site reveal how people adapted to living in this space across thousands of years.
The cave's name comes from the Bulgarian word for nine, referring to the natural openings in its roof that allow light and air to enter. These holes shape how visitors experience the interior and hold deep meaning in local stories passed down through generations.
The cave is easy to access and offers guided tours for visitors who want to explore the main chambers and their formations. Note that entry is restricted from early June through late July to protect the breeding season of the bat population living inside.
Nine natural ceiling openings penetrate the upper layer of the cave and allow daylight to stream into the main chambers. These shafts of light create shifting patterns on the ground, turning the interior into a place where geology and natural light interact in unexpected ways.
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