Bolii Cave

Bolii Cave is situated in the North of Petrosani, 6km from it, on the road between Hateg  and Jiu Valley, in the place where the mountains Retezat and Sebes meet.

The name probably comes from the family named Bolia who was lands and forests owner in the area since 15th century.

The cave starts where the creek “Jupaneasa” loses in the package of Jurassic limestones through a spectacular portal of 20 m at the base and 10 m height. The main gallery of the cave is generally large, here and there expanding into real spacious rooms. Drain formations occur in high places and on the ceiling of the gallery. On a length of 466 m, the gallery goes down only 3 m. At the exit of the cave, the creek is called “Galbina”.

Bolii Cave is a natural breakdown accessible along its entire length, one of the very few caves of this kind in our country.

By the ‘60s, the cave was arranged with bridges crossing over the creek but they have been destroyed during the time. The cave was abandoned until recently when the local speleogists from Petroaqua Association, have started its redevelopment. Culverts have been installed to ease the crossing through the entire underground hole without any danger.

From the interwar period yet, musical concerts were organized in the largest hall of the cave. The hall was named “The concert and dance hall” as a result of the exceptional acoustics proved. In 2007, in May 1st in the spirit of the tradition artistic events were held both within and outside the cave. Every year such concerts are taking place.

Two species of bats live inside the cave.

“The image of Our Lady and Child in her arms is an image that I did not believe more than as a painting or a sculpture in the side wall, but going by water and touching the wall, I realized that it is only the effect of that blue light projector and certainly the divine inspiration of the one who put it in value. Congratulations for the person who did it, and for the other interior of caves’ artists, who by various light effects showed us beauties hard to perceive by a simple spectator.” (from www.mecanturist.ro)

Bolii Cave belongs to the protected area of the Natural Park Gradistea Muncelului- Cioclovina comprising eight reserves and natural monuments, but also historical monuments such as Băniţa Dacian Citadel or Crivadia medieval tower. Reserves and natural monuments which are important to be mentioned: Cioclovina Ponorici- karst complex (Stâna Valley cave), Cheia and Sura Mare cave and Tecuri cave, Pui hayfields, fosolifer place Ohaba Ponor, Crivadia Gorge and Bolii cave and hill.

Thanks to the generous underground gap inside the cave, the Germans chose filming some scenes for the documentary “The Legend of the Nibelungen”.

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