The exploration of the cave began in 1963 by the Chepelare speleoclub headed by Dimitar Raychev, initially 8,500 meters were explored, and in 1982-1986 the cave was re-mapping and new ones were discovered galleries and sections as its length reaches 10,500 meters, and its age is 275,000 years.
4 meters after the natural entrance of the cave (first level) an Eneolithic dwelling was discovered – a local ceramic center, the only one in Europe preserved in its natural form.
Finds of ceramic vessels, tools, charred grain, a ceramic furnace, chromells (hand mills) were found. The remains date from the Stone-Copper Age (4th millennium BC). This part of the cave can be explored for 20 minutes, with a talk and a separate fee.
Description of the cave:
With its 10,500 meters, Yagodinska Cave is the third longest in Bulgaria and the longest in the Rhodopes. Formed in Proterozoic marbles, it has three main levels and two intermediate levels. The third floor was improved in 1971-1982, and the tourist route is 1100 meters.
Magnificent and beautiful formations can be seen along the entire tourist route – stalactites, stalagmites, stalactons, hellectites, sinter lakes, leopard skin, dendrites, draperies and one of the most unique formations – cave pearls.
A total of 22 types of formations from the world’s 28 known species. In the cave there is a ritual hall where civil marriages are performed. The temperature of the landscaped area is 6ºС – constant, year-round, humidity – 85-91%. Altitude at the entrance – 930 meters, exit – 937 meters, elevation difference +7 meters (flat and horizontal). Fauna and flora: Various types of bats, cave grasshoppers, spiders, troglobionts with a representative Compodeus and others are found from the animal world, and from the flora – lichens, mosses, molds and mushrooms.
Working hours:
All year round without a day off.
Winter working hours / 01.11 to 30.04. / – from 10:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Summer working hours / from 01.05 to 31.10./ – from 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Visitors must be at the entrance of the cave 10 minutes before the round talk time.
Time of entry: 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:15
Time of exit: 9: 45 10:45 11:45 12:45 13:45 14:45 15:45 17:00
Entrance fees:
Children up to 6 years are not charged from 7 to 18 years – 5.00 BGN
Over 18 years – 10.00 BGN
Students – 8.00 BGN for entry – BGN 40
Contacts:
year-TD “Rhodopeia”
0888519981, 0895658546,
0895658558 – chairman,
0895658550 – secretary;
