Lepenitza Cave
is located in the land of Rakitovo - 130 km from Sofia and 80 km from Plovdiv. The entrance to the cave itself can be reached by car from Rakitovo by traveling 17 km, of which 14 km of good asphalt and 3 km of dirt road. By car to the entrance of the cave can also be reached from Velingrad, as a starting point is Kleptuza and travels 9 km, 7 of which are asphalt and 2 km dirt road.
Lepenitza is located
in a marble solid floor Syutka peak. There is a karst area around and there is more caves. The locals have been visiting the cave since the early 20th century. The first documented visits for scientific purposes are from 1925 and 1927, when Acad. Ivan Buresh and Dr. Pencho Drenski came here. Thanks to this interest of prominent scientists to the cave Lepenica in Rakitovo in 1930 the first branch of the cave society established in 1929 in Sofia was established, the successor of which is now the Bulgarian Speleological Federation. Most of the first cavers in Rakitovo are teachers. Enthusiasts and romantics, until 1935 they entered the cave through the first water floor, trampled through the cold and then flooded underground river. When they start coming a lot tourists, the cavers dig a new entrance on the second dry floor, through which one enters today. They guided the visitors using specially purchased 4 acetylene lamps.
Since 1962, Lepenitza has been declared a natural landmark
and entry into it is prohibited. But because there are no guards, the padlock at the entrance is often broken and random people enter. In order to better protect the cave Association "SUTKYA" - Rakitovo - heir of the Rakitovo cave society, proposed a project for controlled access in the first 600 meters, without the first water floor, which provides only security of a certain route. Since 2010 the access regime has been changed and the project has been implemented. It's Lepenitza now a unique cave. It continues to be a natural landmark.
The visitor to Lepenitsa Cave feels real caveman. This is how the first visitors felt 80 years ago. The cave is not lit so as not to change the microclimate in her. The visitor receives equipment: helmet and headband, boots and gloves and moves only on a certain route, led by a caver. The route is secured only with wooden grills, stairs, bridges and railings or with rope railings and stops. The unique in this case, the cave is accessible and nothing in it has changed. Any change can affect the 24 species of organisms living in Lepenitza, 6 of which troglobionts - organisms living only in the dark.
Entering Lepenitza
you find yourself in a new world. This is a world of the darkness. Permanent organisms do not have eyes because they do not need them. They have no pigmentation because no sunlight penetrates here. High humidity and constant temperature - 8-9 degrees Celsius. The route is in places extreme, so it is necessary for the people in the group to do what the leader does and to help each other. You walk up to 600 meters, and you have the feeling that you have walked kilometers. A real cave gym. In such a situation, you have to trust the person next to you. The visits are suitable for people working in a team. At this high humidity, cameras and cameras with sensitive electronics block. You return to imperceptibly the primary, you regain a sense of connection with nature.
Visit Lepenitza Cave when you are in the area of Velingrad or Rakitovo. You will definitely not regret it and you will be left with beautiful memories of this amazing and little known jewel of The Rhodopes.
the team of @feel_bulgaria thanks Svilen Topchiev for the provided information.
See more:
The Paleontological Museum in the village of Dorkovo
The clock tower in the town of Rakitovo
Batak Dam - what to see in the region
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