Peștera Coliboaia

Peștera Coliboaia is a cave with underground galleries containing charcoal drawings of animals including bison, bears, and rhinoceros heads on limestone walls. The elevated Art Gallery section lies beyond a natural underground lake within the cave system.

Archaeological investigations revealed cave paintings from 32,000 to 35,000 years ago linked to Aurignacian and Gravettian cultures. This site ranks among the oldest known artistic works in Central Europe.

The Art Gallery displays animal representations created by early inhabitants and reveals how Paleolithic hunter-gatherers understood and depicted their environment. These images show the connection between daily life and artistic expression in prehistoric times.

Access to the cave requires specialized diving equipment to navigate through chambers and a natural lake before reaching the Art Gallery. It is essential to be prepared for the physical demands of this underground route.

The stable conditions inside the cave have preserved the artwork for thousands of years, allowing researchers to study early human techniques and pigments in detail. This natural preservation makes it a valuable research site for understanding how human creativity developed.

Location: Bihor County

GPS coordinates: 46.53110,22.59560

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:43