New Athos Cave, Show cave in Novyy Afon, Georgia.
Description
This cave lies beneath Iverskaya Mountain and runs for more than three thousand meters, with chambers full of stalactites, underground lakes, and petrified water flows. A small train takes visitors into the depths, followed by a walking path through nine large halls, each showing different shapes and sizes.
History
A resident discovered the entrance in 1961 by climbing down a shaft and exploring the first hundred meters below. Soviet scientists later worked on opening up the further passages and building the infrastructure before the cave was opened to visitors.
Culture
The name recalls the Orthodox monastery built on the slopes above, a place of pilgrimage for centuries. Locals often speak of the surrounding mountains as part of traditional stories involving ancient heroes and legendary kingdoms.
Practical
The tour follows paved paths and staircases, with the ground sometimes damp and slippery in places. Warm clothing is advisable because the temperature inside remains cool throughout the year, regardless of the season outside.
Did you know?
The largest hall can hold nearly three thousand people at once and has occasionally been used for concerts because the acoustics there are especially clear. The system runs partly below sea level even though the coast is only a few kilometers away.
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