.jpg)
Devetashka Cave is one of the largest caves in Bulgaria. It is about 1,500 metres long, and its entrance rises to a height of 35 metres. Inside are eleven underground lakes and fourteen mineral springs. The cave is closed from June until the end of July during the bats' breeding season.
Devetashka Cave is one of the largest caves in Bulgaria, located on the eastern bank of the Osam River. It is about 1,500 metres long, with a vast, 35-metre-high opening at its entrance.
To put that height into perspective, a nine-storey building is no more than thirty metres tall. Standing at the cave entrance gives you a real sense of the sheer scale of the place.
The cave contains eleven underground lakes and fourteen mineral springs, as well as a host of unusual, awe-inspiring formations.
Although the cave is not among the most frequently visited attractions, it still draws plenty of tourists, many of whom return time and again. With so much to see, Devetashka Cave can rightly be called one of the largest, most beautiful and most unusual caves not only in Bulgaria, but anywhere in Europe.
This is a place you really need to experience for yourself!
Features of the cave
Sunlight pours into the cave through its many openings. The light filters down onto the vegetation below, creating otherworldly scenes.
The cave is known for its history as well as its size. Archaeological research indicates that Devetashka Cave sheltered ancient people for a long time.
Archaeologists have found remains in the cave's stratigraphic layers dating from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age, ranging from flint tools and stone-lined hearths to bronze battle axes and iron weapons.
All of this shows that Devetashka Cave is an ancient historic site that anyone can experience firsthand.
The Second World War left its mark here too. During the socialist era, the cave was used to store ammunition in case of military action, as well as petroleum products. Circular traces from those storage facilities can still be seen inside the cave.
The variety of wildlife is another important part of this remarkable place. More than a hundred animal species live in the cave, and some are even listed in the Red Data Book.
These include 12 protected reptile and amphibian species, among them the Aesculapian snake, rat snake, newt, tree frogs and Hermann's tortoise; around 80 bird species; 34 mammal species; and 15 bat species.
The cave and Hollywood
Devetashka Cave also has a Hollywood connection. Several scenes from the famous film The Expendables 2 were shot in the cave in 2011.
A display featuring the poster was installed near the bridge built especially for the filming.
Devetashka Cave has a huge chamber where the roof has collapsed in several places. The surface above fell in together with all its vegetation, creating three small green islands.
Not far from the cave, near the village of Krushuna, you can visit a small but rather picturesque waterfall.
How much is admission?
There is a car park in front of the cave, and parking is completely free. There is, however, an admission charge to enter the cave itself.
| Visitors | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | 3 лв. (1,5 EUR) |
| School pupils, students or pensioners | 2 лв. (1 EUR) |
| Groups of more than 15 people | 2 лв. (1 EUR) |
| Groups of more than 15 school pupils, students or pensioners | 1 лв. (0,5 EUR) |
| Families with children aged 7 to 18 | 6 лв. (3 EUR) |
How to get there from Sofia
Driving is the best and most convenient option. The journey takes no more than three hours, so there is no need to make any stops along the way.
You can rent a modern car of your choice from us after comparing the prices.
If you prefer public transport, you can check the bus timetables yourself atavtogari.info.
How to get there from the seaside resorts
From the coast, the drive from Sveti Vlas or Burgas takes about five hours. If you like, you can stop in Sliven along the way.
