"Where the sky and the river merge ... Where the colors of sunrises and sunsets are brighter than dreams, where the Lord sees ..."How do we get there?
From Sofia, take the Hemus highway and from here along Pravets and Yablanitsa the road to Lukovit is taken. Reaching the village of Rumyantsevo we departed to the northwest following the signs for Karlukovo. The entire GPS distance is about 115 km. The road is in a relatively good condition, except for the one in Karlukovo, which definitely needs a serious repair. But this is not the subject of today's narrative and the memories of the wonderful walk.
About 2 km from the village of Karlukovo we came across a large sign heading to the right to the cave Prohodna. Many of the cars were left to the asphalt road itself, but there were those that had reached the entrance to the cave. We decided to walk a bit on foot, so we left our car near the road and traveled a distance of about 0.3 km. Everything around was covered with a carpet of daisies and just green grass. Wherever you look around, they surround a landscape that radiates peace and happiness. Next to the entrance of the cave there is a small swamp full of glove compartments. In fact, we reached the Big Entrance of the Cave.
Natural phenomenon Prohodna Cave
Prohodna Peshtera was formed as a result of karst processes in the Karlukovo region, around the village of Karlukovo, entering the Lukovit district administration. It is one of the largest karst areas in Bulgaria. The Carlukovo Gorge is full of caves, propes, rock bridges, interesting rock formations. Prohodna Cave, except that the longest cave tunnel in the country (262 m) is extremely impressive. In 1962 it was declared a natural landmark. The name goes to both ends of the cave - Small Entrance (35 m) and Large Entrance (45 m), which are both ends of a natural rock bridge along which a trail passes.I must tell you that the cave itself is quite different from the caves we usually visit. Its dimensions make it extremely impressive. There were really a lot of people on this day. There is no guide since it is not necessary. Everyone walks wherever he wants. The "eyes of God" provide excellent opportunities for lovers of rock climbing and many people practicing this sport decided to do so on May 24.
About a minute walk into the cave itself and we stopped. With wide open eyes, we looked at them, two equally shaped holes in the cave's ceiling, a result of the erosion of the karst. They resemble the shape of the eyes through which a great stream of sunlight was entering and the feeling that I suppose everybody feels at that moment is shattering. In the eyes of God, crashed in the Prohodna cave, every year on March 21, on the day of the spring echo, a sunbeam passes, hinting at the former ordinances carried out in this place. This moment marks the beginning of the new crops with which the year began.Believe me, I myself stood in place, looking up at these large, glowing "eyes." In me, as many longings and hidden powers as I woke up, that after I left this place I was filled with energy for weeks ahead ... It is unclear ...
These are the eyes under which Alligoro prayed from the film "Time Separated" on the novel by Anton Donchev. The cave is a shooting ground and several other productions, some of which are foreign.
Towards the end of the cave itself, the bungee jumping takes place at the Little Entrance. As I understand, the experts advise everyone who has planned to jump for the first time with bungee, the Prohodna Cave is ideal for the first attempt. And today there were willing. We stayed and watched for a while. We looked at the fields of a girl and a boy who jumped in arms. It certainly loads with adrenaline, but at least I'm not ready for a bungee jump. Some day maybe.
From this end of the cave, there are two paths fortified by wooden railings, but we walked along as we had more tasks to do.
I took a lot of pictures. We were climbing along the rocks, trying to get higher and higher. There is a lot to see here.
It was interesting for me to know that even in this cave were found remains of ancient inhabitants.
Getting out of the cave, I already knew this place definitely changed you. No, these are not loud words, it is. I wish you to experience it!
Cave House "Peter Tranteev"
It is located a few hundred meters from the cave itself. It was built in 1981. for the needs of scientific research and research on speleology in the karst-rich Karlusk plateau. It was later rebuilt into a tourist base. Anyone who wants to escape the stressful life can do just that. It is completely renovated in 2012. The base is on several floors and on the lower floor there is a nice little restaurant with a panoramic terrace to the Iskar River and part of the cave.
The view is amazing. We breathed in, we stamped, as Prohodna Cave is under No. 30 (depending on the year of issue) in the booklet of the 100 national tourist sites. The building itself is dug into a slice of limestone rock, and the shape, seen from above, resembles a bat. The feeling is literally in the clouds. If you ever decide to visit this area, do not rush the cave home as well. He definitely has something to offer.
