Caves of Romania
Institute of Speleology „Emil Racoviță"

Ialomiței Cave

Ialomiței Cave, also known as the Hermitage Cave or the Kings' Cave, is one of the most impressive natural and spiritual treasures of the Bucegi Mountains. Located at approximately 1,560 m altitude, in the Ialomița gorge on the left bank of the river, access is gained through Ialomița Monastery — a historic structure that lends the cave entrance a unique character.

What you will discover here

• Pure fossil and active galleries arranged on two levels, offering a setting sculpted by water, rock and diffuse light.
• Impressively sized halls such as "Mihnea Vodă Hall", "Bears' Hall" and "At the Altar", each with its own charm and fascinating karst formations.
• A tranquil, almost mystical atmosphere that blends with the history of the monastery and the site — a space where wild nature and the spiritual converge in a uniquely captivating way.

Practical information

• Only around 400 m of Ialomiței Cave's galleries are accessible to visitors, up to the point known as "At the Altar", with a change in elevation of approximately 60 m.
• The cave is electrically lit along the tourist trail, making the visit comfortable — you can explore the halls without battling the dark.

Meziad Cave

Meziad Cave, located in the village of Meziad, Remetea commune, Bihor County, is a vivid testament to the spectacular underground landscapes of the Pădurea Craiului Mountains.

The entrance is impressive: a massive natural portal approximately 16 m high and 10 m wide, seemingly sculpted with masterly precision by the hand of nature. The cave has two karstic levels:

• Lower level — approximately 1,542 m long, with wide halls 20–30 m across and 15–20 m high, where the spaces feel like subterranean cathedrals.
• Upper level — 3,208 m long, connected to the lower level through several galleries, reaching heights of up to 35 m in the Natural Bridge zone.

The interior hosts fascinating karst formations (stalactites and stalagmites), archaeological remains attesting to the presence of early humans, and cave bear fragments. It is also home to an important, protected bat colony, giving it a special charm and genuine ecological significance.

Why it is worth visiting

• For its impressive dimensions and spectacular natural architecture — vast halls, dizzying heights and a subterranean cathedral atmosphere.
• For its scientific and cultural value — Palaeolithic and Neolithic remains, cave bear traces.
• For its wild beauty and biological diversity — bats, cavernicolous insects — without sacrificing the comfort of an easy tourist visit with a well-laid-out circuit.

Muierii Cave

Muierii Cave, situated in the commune of Baia de Fier, Gorj County, is a karstic cavity carved over time by the Galbenul River through Mesozoic limestones on the southern edge of the Parâng Massif. Its name has roots in two local legends: first, it is said that in times of war women and children took refuge in the cave while the men went to battle; second, the name may derive from women who came to spin at the southern entrance, taking advantage of the cool, clean air that emanated from inside.

The cave has a total length of approximately 3,600–7,000 metres (depending on the source), arranged on four levels. The lower level is a speleological reserve divided into two sectors: northern (approx. 1,500 m) and southern (approx. 880 m). The upper storey, at around 40 metres elevation, is developed for tourists over approximately 573–940 metres, with less accessible gallery sections extending the network to approximately 1,200–1,228 metres.

The interior is adorned with spectacular karst formations: stalagmites and stalactites creating impressive structures such as the "Small Basins", the "Organ", the "Altar", the "Petrified Waterfall", the Turkish Hall, the Great Dome and the Hall of Wonders. Some names, such as the "Bears' Gallery", also recall fossils — cave bear skeletons have been found — and archaeological discoveries, including Palaeolithic human skulls approximately 35,000 years old, as well as artefacts, ceramic fragments and primitive tools.

Why it is worth visiting

• It is one of the most visited caves in Romania, meaning facilities are well developed and the visit is comfortable.
• The combination of the natural splendour of karst formations and an atmosphere steeped in history and legend offers a memorable experience.
• For speleology or archaeology enthusiasts, or simply for those curious about underground wonders, the most interesting zones are open to tourists, while less accessible areas fire the imagination of exploration.

Polovragi Cave

Polovragi Cave, also known as the Cave of Zamolxe, is located in the commune of Polovragi, Gorj County, and represents a must-see destination for lovers of nature, history and mythology.

What you will discover

• Vast galleries with an illuminated tourist trail of approximately 800 m, part of a total speleological network exceeding 10 km.
• A humid atmosphere and relatively moderate temperature, around 8–9 °C, with droplets falling from the ceiling ("the cave weeps") — fascinating visual and sensory details.
• Geto-Dacian discoveries and symbols: the throne stone "Zamolxe's Seat", the "Dacian oven" — elements considered ritual or mystical.
• Bat colonies that hibernate inside the cave, offering a remarkable ecological dimension.

Why it is worth visiting

• For the rare combination of spectacular nature and legend: the sensation of stepping into a space charged with myth and mystery, a portal into the world of the Dacians.
• For comfort and easy access: an illuminated trail, stable temperature and a pleasant visit even for those without speleological experience.
• For its cultural and ecological value: bat colonies, archaeological elements and impressive natural landscapes.

Scărișoara Cave

Located in the Apuseni Mountains at an altitude of 1,165 m, Scărișoara Cave is renowned for the largest underground glacier in Romania and one of the largest in Europe. The ice block is estimated to be over 10,500 years old and reaches a thickness of up to 36 m in certain areas. Entry to the cave is via an impressive shaft approximately 60 m in diameter, and the constant temperature of -2 °C offers a pleasant coolness even on the hottest summer days.

What you will discover

• The Great Hall: This is where the largest block of ice in the cave is found, with an estimated volume of between 106,790 and 129,210 m³.
• The Little Church Hall: A spectacular chamber where ice stalactites and stalagmites form delicate, translucent structures.
• Karst formations: Beyond the ice, the cave also shelters typical karst formations such as stalactites and stalagmites, adding a further dimension of beauty.

Bears' Cave

Located in Bihor County, near the locality of Chișcău, Bears' Cave is one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Romania. Discovered accidentally in 1975 following an explosion at a marble quarry in the area, the cave was opened to the public in 1980, after five years of research and development work.

The cave extends over a length of 1,500 metres and consists of two main galleries:

• The Bears' Gallery (or Bones' Gallery): Numerous cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) fossils were discovered here, including a complete skeleton dating back approximately 15,000 years.
• The Emil Racoviță Gallery: Named in honour of the celebrated Romanian speleologist, this gallery houses spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Other remarkable halls include the Candles' Hall, the Spaghetti Hall and the Bones' Hall, each with its own unique geological character.