Red Caves in Crimea

Red Caves (Kizil-Koba) is the largest complex of partially watered caves in Crimea, located in the vicinity of Simferopol, in the spurs of Dolgorukovskaya yayla. The total length of the investigated part of the underground system is about 25 km. Halls at the entrance to the caves were used for sacrifices in the Bronze Age, in the Middle Ages here stored wine. During the XIX-XX centuries, only archaeologists entered the Red Caves, and at the end of the XX century the complex was equipped for tourists. The first 500 meters are available to visitors without preparation, traveling through the watered part of Kizil-Koba requires special equipment.

.

Video: Red Caves (Kizil-Koba)

Contents

History of Red Caves Exploration

The first detailed description of the Red Caves was made in 1801, when the first hundred meters of the complex were explored. Then, in the early 19th century, there were also rare tourists who were willing to take a risk and walk on the slippery rocks in the wrong light of torches. One of such daredevils in 1825 was the writer Alexander Griboyedov.

.

In the 20s of the twentieth century on the Tuff site near the entrance to the cave were discovered traces of the culture, which was named kizil-Kobinsky: dugouts for cult rituals, pits for storing grains used by priests during sacrifices. According to archaeologists, the first people appeared on Dolgorukovskaya Yaila about 70000 years ago, but significant for science artifacts date back to the Bronze Age and later eras, when the Taurians lived here, later mixed with the Scythians.

.

In the sanctuary built in the cave, scientists found black molded pottery, bone tips, traces of sacrificial fires. Later, in the III-IV centuries, a Scythian manor was built nearby, and the cave began to be used as a cellar for storing wine, as evidenced by the shards of amphorae. A cache from the times of the Golden Horde was also found here: in the XIII-XIV centuries parts of a horse bridle, a dagger and a saddle were hidden in the Red Caves. Then in Kizil-Kob they extracted clay for pipes, not afraid of fire.

.

Red Caves in modern times

Since 1963, the Red Caves complex has been recognized as a geological monument. The explored part of the system is at least 25 km, on the way of scientists meet halls up to 80 m long and up to 145 m high, as the “Blue Drop”. Until 1992, only professionals and amateurs with special equipment could get into the Red Caves. In 1992, the vaults were strengthened, paths with railings were laid, and lighting was installed. Branches of the underwater river were blocked – the result was artificial lakes, which can be seen near the entrance.

.

Now tourists can walk along the main route of about half a kilometer in the company of a guide. Special equipment and wetsuits are required for those wishing to go further, and traveling is only possible by prior arrangement in small groups, but much of the lower halls are still only accessible to scientists.

.

Excursion routes

For groups without special training there are convenient routes in the dry halls of Kizil-Koba. The journey with a guide will take about an hour, during this time the guests will be told about the geological features of the Red Caves and their archaeological monuments. In the first hall the sanctuary of VII-VI centuries BC is reconstructed: clay vessels, stone millstones, animal skulls are exhibited. Then the guests descend into a dry corridor with bridges in case of floods. Then they are welcomed by the expressive figures “Cave Master” and “Weeping Dwarf”, reminding of the approach of the underground river Su-Uchkhan. Here ends the “Griboyedov Gallery”, named in honor of the writer, who was among the first excursionists. He could not go any further, because until 1957 the path of the researchers was blocked by a stone. It was removed, resulting in the Gorlo-Shamansky passage. During the rest of the way several halls replace each other – Indian, Academic, Argentine. Here the overland route ends – further it is possible to move only by swimming.

.

A walk through the Red Caves for extreme swimmers

The water-filled part of the cave began to be shown to tourists about 20 years ago. For this purpose, they are dressed in wetsuits and at the end of the overland route are immersed in water. The first siphon reaches a length of only 1.5 meters, any tourist can overcome it under water. Then a 100-meter rope is stretched along the underground river. Travelers slowly float on their backs by using their hands. After reaching the “Northern Harbor”, tourists leave the river and wade through the rocks in the rockfall halls. The reward for their efforts are amazingly beautiful stalactites up to 8 meters high – the oldest of them, one of the largest in Europe, is 8000 years old. Another natural attraction of the Red Caves is the 20-meter waterfall “Pink Jets.”

Duration of the route – 4-6 hours, to the excursion are allowed tourists who have reached the age of 16 years and can swim. Travel is contraindicated for tourists with claustrophobia – on the way there are narrow passages up to 0.5 m wide, in the dry part of the cave there are no such difficult places.

.

Information for tourists

During floods may be flooded dry part of the Red Caves, so in the spring you need to call in advance with representatives of the company serving Kizil-Koba. Entrance inside is possible only in groups of 2 to 25 people, they are formed near the ticket office within 20 minutes. At the ticket office – a souvenir shop with unpretentious albums, booklets and magnets, postcards.

.

In the cave is cool, no more than +10 ° C, very humid, so at the entrance you can rent jackets for 10 rubles, comfortable shoes on a stable sole is mandatory. Inside you can take photos and videos for free, but only without a tripod.

.

Extreme excursion is prepared by prior arrangement. The group should not exceed 5 people, you should come to the entrance in light clothing, but with long sleeves, equipment and wetsuits are issued on site.

.

Ticket prices and opening times

Access to the Red Caves is open all year round, without holidays and weekends, from 9 am to 7 pm. The standard “dry” route costs 200 rubles for children from 6 to 14 years old, 400 rubles. – for adults. The cost of an extreme route depends on its length. For a 3-4-hour journey to the waterfall will have to pay 4000 rubles per person, 6-hour, to the fork, 6000 rubles.

.

How to get there

If you follow the Simferopol highway by private car, you should turn off the highway at the sign “Viking Cinema Park”, where the village of Scandinavian warriors is reconstructed, and the staff is dressed in combat gear.

.

By public transport is most convenient to get to the Red Caves from Simferopol: bus number 154 goes to the village of Perevalnoye every 20 minutes from the city railway station. Get off at “Perevalny-2” or “Stadium”.

.

Alternative route – by trolley buses from Simferopol to Yalta or Alushta. Between the caves and the stop – about 1,5 km of the way to the northeast. From the stop to the parking lot near the farm there is an asphalt path, then a dirt path to the Tufa glade near the river. Not far from the entrance there is a fork with a directional sign for the cave and the 30-meter-high Su-Uchkhan waterfall

.