The Sueva Dupka Cave

Bulgarian sights
Location:  Lovech Region, Brestnica

Caves are unusual natural phenomena. Inside, you can either feel as part of a fairytale or experience your worst nightmare. Bulgaria has lots of caves but only some of them are open to public. One of the pearls of Bulgarian caves is Sueva Dupka. It is not the largest, neither is the longest, it does not have two or three levels, but it is one of the most beautiful and ‘musical’ caves.

It is hard to reach it. From Sofia, you should take the highway to Varna. When you reach Yablanitza, you continue a bit further, up to the road crossing leading to road Е83. Lukovit is up the road, and on the right - Veliko Tarnovo. You take this road and you will reach the village of Brestnitza only 5 kilometers further. According to a large brown notice board in the center, the cave is only 4 kilometers from here.

Our guide enters in the earth’s bowels first and we are following in a long line.The concrete Eco-path is a really narrow one. The well-known stalagmites and stalactites are scattered from both sides, with length starting from several centimeters, to meter and a half- two meters. Tens of layers from the water drops are piled, resembling a melting ice-cream, running down the wafer cone. Our first stop is in front of a huge stalacton for whose formation several hundred years were necessary. This is an incredible creation out of our world. And, in fact, we are in the kingdom of Hades, in the underworld; things really look different here, according to all legends.

Things are getting even more different when we leave the tunnel and find ourselves in one of the largest cave halls in Bulgaria. Its total length is 60 meters. A huge stalacton rises straight from its heart, composed of hundreds of smaller ones, resembling a Gothic cathedral with numerous decorations and ornaments. This is the end of the cave, but we have hardly seen much of it. Different from the caves of a gallery type /you pass from one hall to another, and you return /, the tunnel here is very short and only a few minutes later you are in the main hall. The path meanders through it among the numerous stalagmites and stalactites. Then, it descends from its other side, comes back to the hall, but from the opposite side. Going up to the so called canine tooth of the Tyrannosaur, we reach the Organ. Our guide hits its drapery-like surface with a metal stick and even manages to make up a tune. There are similar ‘music instruments’in several places of the Sueva Dupka cave.

We descend down the narrow and slippery steps. On the right, a long fossil resembling a drape spreads, and on the left – a genuine frozen waterfall in caramel colors. In front of us, the Joy of Venus stands up- this is a huge phallus, with all its attributes, hidden in a small niche.
We go on downwards, taking the concrete arched path, back to the Cosmos hall. We are surrounded by stalagmites and stalactones, resembling‘boiling’ waves, springing from the insides and spill down the surface. The walls are coming closer, the ceiling is getting lower and finally we see a tiny vaulted aperture through which we can go out.
For a second time in the big hall, our guide attracts our attention to what is above our heads – helictites, unique for Bulgaria. These are stalactites, grown up aside and not downwards, due to the constant air flow, carrying the water drops aside. Tiny stone needles growing up to the left – a view that can be seen only in this place.

The round-trip finishes with a niche to the right and then, we spend some time in the central hall. The premise is illuminated by the lightning of tens of cameras, sealing the grandness of nature. The monstrous stalactone in the middle, surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites resembles a bristled up beast, opened its toothed mouth. If you happen to have a more vivid imagination, you can feel as one of the ‘Jurassic Park’ characters.

The Sueva Dupka cave is among the 100 National Tourist Sites and after its restoration it definitely is worth seeing. And the visit can last a whole day and will fill you up with unbelievable emotions.



Chuprene Biosphere Reserve

The reserve is one of the largest biosphere reserves in Bulgaria. It is established in 1973 to preserve the northern coniferous forests of Bulgaria. In 1977 it was included in the list of biosphere reserves under the program "Man and Biosphere".

See on the map

Water Holes Cave

Water Holes Cave is located in Apriltsi Municipality, within the Central Balkan National Park on the northern slope of the massif of Botev Mount.

See on the map

Albotin rock monastery

Albotin monastery is an inactive Medieval rock monastery included in Vidin diocese.

See on the map

Uzana - the geographic center of Bulgaria

Uzana - the heart of the Balkans. In its embrace, the mountains has kept this extraordinary place where you can fully take charge with power and hours to enjoy its grandeur and beauty of nature.Far from the urban vanity you will find abundance of colors and shades, serenity and peace of mind. Here the warbling of the birds and the whisper of wild grasslands will put a spell on you forever.

Chervenitsa - geological phenomena over the village of Kunino

The natural phenomenon Chervenitsa is a molded boulder, rising more than 150 m above the terrace of the river Iskar in village of Kunino. It is located about 46 km east of Vratsa and approximately 120 km northeast of Sofia.

See on the map

Lopushanski monastery "Sv. Yoan Predtecha"

The Lopushanski monastery is located in the Balkan Mountain in the valley of Dalgodelska Ogosta river. It is operational and consists of a church, residential and farm buildings and a white stone fountain, all surrounded by a stone wall.

See on the map

The museum of salt

A unique museum in the whole Eastern Europe dedicated to the production of salt by solar evaporation of sea water, Pomorie

See on the map

Taukliman Reserve

Natural Reserve Taukliman typical landslide with length of about 4 km, formed between the edge of the Dobrudzhansko plateau and the coast.

Basilica Sveta Sofia - Sofia city

The Early Christian basilica Sveta Sofia is an active Orthodox church in the center of Sofia city. The church was probably built in the early VI century on the ruins of early Christian tombs from II - IV century and the ruins of two earlier churches from IV-V century. It is located among the necropolis of the ancient Serdica.

See on the map

Medieval fortress "Monyak"

"Monyak" fortress is one of the largest and high located fortresses in the Rhodopes near the village of Shiroko pole, Kardzhali Region

See on the map

Vakarelski monastery "St Petka"

Vakarelski monastery "St Petka" was found in XX century and now it is working occasionally. It was functioning as nunnery.

See on the map

"The Womb" cave

A unique Thracian temple near the village of Nenkovo, Kardzhali Region

See on the map

Thracian sanctuary "Gluhite kamani"

The megalithic complex "Gluhite kamani" is one of the largest Thracian sanctuaries since BC, whose strength continues to act today to anyone who visits it.

See on the map

Krivus Fortress

A medieval fortress located on a picturesque cliff above Arda River near the village of Bashevo, Kardzhali Region

See on the map

"St. Konstantin and Elena" monastery near Ladzha quarter, Ivaylovgrad

The monastery of Lazdha or Ivaylovrad monastery "St. Konstantin and Elena" is situated close to Ladzha quarter in the town of Ivaylovgrad

See on the map

Rakovitsa monastery Sveta Troitsa

Rakovitsa monastery Sveta Troitsa was was found in X-XI century and during the Middle Ages was an important literary and cultural center in Bdin area.

See on the map

Roman tomb - town of Hisarya

The Hisar tomb is a late Roman family tomb built in the second half of the IV-th century.

See on the map

Elenska basilica

Elenska basilica is early Christian temple that is preserved to nowadays and is situated in proximity to the town of Pirdop

See on the map

"St. Theodor Tyron and Theodor Stratilat" church

A unique monument of culture with extremely precious frescoes and icons included in UNESCO's list with the World Cultural Heritage, village of Dobarsko, Blagoevgrad Region

See on the map

Ovech Fortress

One of the oldest fortresses in Bulgaria located on a high mountain plateau above the town of Provadiya

See on the map