Devetashka Cave

Devetashka Cave is one of the largest and most spectacular caves in Europe — a colossal limestone cavern stretching 2.4 km deep into a hillside near the village of Devetaki in northern Bulgaria, with chambers up to 60 meters wide and an entrance arch soaring 40 meters high. The cave's defining feature is its seven massive natural skylights — collapsed sections of ceiling up to 30 meters across that flood the interior with dramatic columns of sunlight, creating an almost cathedral-like atmosphere. Beneath these shafts of light, archaeologists have uncovered evidence of continuous human habitation spanning over 70,000 years, from Middle Paleolithic hunter-gatherers through the Neolithic, Thracian, Roman, and medieval periods. The cave is also one of southeastern Europe's most important bat habitats, sheltering over 30,000 bats of 34 species including the rare Mediterranean horseshoe bat, and the entire site is now a protected natural landmark with carefully managed visitor access to balance tourism with ecological conservation.

The approach to Devetashka Cave is part of the experience — a 2 km walk from Devetaki village along the banks of the Osam River, through meadows that in spring are thick with wildflowers. The cave entrance is breathtaking even from a distance: a gaping natural arch framing the river below, wide enough to swallow a cathedral. Inside, the first vast chamber opens to reveal the famous skylights, where columns of light pierce the darkness and illuminate the cave floor in shifting patterns that change with the seasons and time of day — winter mornings and spring afternoons produce the most dramatic effects. A perennial spring flows through the cave, and the Osam River itself passes beneath the entrance, filling the air with the sound of running water. Seven distinct halls extend deeper into the hillside, each with its own character — some with towering stalagmites, others with smooth water-polished floors bearing the traces of ancient campfires. Archaeologists have uncovered Stone Age flint tools, Neolithic pottery, Thracian artifacts, and Roman coins from stratified layers of occupation. The cave gained international notoriety as a filming location for The Expendables 2 in 2012, when the production's use of explosions and heavy vehicles disturbed the bat colonies and caused significant ecological damage — the resulting controversy led to criminal charges, substantial fines, and ultimately stricter environmental protections for the cave that benefit it to this day. The deeper sections where bats roost are now permanently closed to visitors, but the accessible front chambers and skylights remain the most visually spectacular part.

Devetashka Cave is 15 km northeast of Lovech, near the village of Devetaki. There is no public transport — you will need a car or taxi from Lovech (about 20 minutes, €7.50-10 by taxi). Park at the small lot in Devetaki village and walk the signposted 2 km trail along the Osam River to the cave entrance (flat, easy walking, about 25 minutes). Bring a flashlight or headlamp for the darker sections beyond the skylights. Wear sturdy shoes as the cave floor is uneven and can be slippery, especially near the spring. The cave is closed from December through February to protect bat colonies during hibernation. For the best light through the skylights, visit on a clear day between 10 AM and 2 PM. There are no facilities at the cave — bring water and snacks. The village of Devetaki has a small cafe. Lovech, with its covered bridge and Vasil Levski museum, makes a natural pairing.