Marble Caves (, , ) is a

cave Caves or caverns are natural voids under the Earth's Planetary surface, surface. Caves often form by the weathering of rock and often extend deep underground. Exogene caves are smaller openings that extend a relatively short distance undergrou ...

Crimea Crimea ( ) is a peninsula in Eastern Europe, on the northern coast of the Black Sea, almost entirely surrounded by the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov. The Isthmus of Perekop connects the peninsula to Kherson Oblast in mainland Ukrain ...

, at the lower

plateau In geology and physical geography, a plateau (; ; : plateaus or plateaux), also called a high plain or a tableland, is an area of a highland consisting of flat terrain that is raised sharply above the surrounding area on at least one side. ...

of Chatyr-Dag, a mountainous massif. It is a popular tourist attraction and one of the most visited caves in Europe. Due to its uniqueness, Marble Cave became famous worldwide. Speleologists consider it among the top five most beautiful caves of the planet, and one of the

Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine The Seven Wonders of Ukraine ( ) are seven historical and cultural monuments of Ukraine, which were chosen in the ''Seven Wonders of Ukraine'' contest held in July, 2007. This was the first public contest of that kind which was followed by the ...

. In 1992, it was included in the International Association of Equipped Caves.

History

In 1987, the

Simferopol Simferopol ( ), also known as Aqmescit, is the second-largest city on the Crimea, Crimean Peninsula. The city, along with the rest of Crimea, is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine, but controlled by Russia. It is considered the cap ...

speleology Speleology () is the scientific study of caves and other karst features, as well as their chemical composition, composition, structure, physical property, physical properties, history, ecology, and the processes by which they form (speleogenes ...

team discovered a cave with a complex system of halls and galleries between Bin Bash-Koba (Thousand Heads) and Suuk-Koba (Cold). The new cave, that lay at the altitude of above sea level, was called Marble (initially, also the name "Afghan" was used), due to the fact it that was formed in

marble Marble is a metamorphic rock consisting of carbonate minerals (most commonly calcite (CaCO3) or Dolomite (mineral), dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) that have recrystallized under the influence of heat and pressure. It has a crystalline texture, and is ty ...

limestone Limestone is a type of carbonate rock, carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material Lime (material), lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different Polymorphism (materials science) ...

. In 1988, the Onyx-tour center for speleology tourism established sightseeing tours, concrete paths were laid, and lighting was installed. The tour goes through the Fairy Tale Gallery, Tiger Path, with hundreds of various stalactites, the Reconstruction Room, the largest cave room of Crimea and one of the largest equipped rooms in Europe with a length of 100 metres and height of 28 metres, the Pink Room, with stone roses covering the top of the room, the Palace Hall, with "Queen" and "King" columns, and the Hope and Balcony Room. A

stalactite A stalactite (, ; , ) is a mineral formation that hangs from the ceiling of caves, hot springs, or man-made structures such as bridges and mines. Any material that is soluble and that can be deposited as a colloid, or is in suspension (chemistry ...

"forest" leads to the Luster Room. Dozens of "

chandeliers A chandelier () is an ornamental lighting device, typically with spreading branched supports for multiple lights, designed to be hung from the ceiling. Chandeliers are often ornate, and they were originally designed to hold candles, but now in ...

" hang down from the ceiling covered with

coralite A " Mr. Clean Magic Eraser" brand sponge, made from melamine foam Melamine foam is a foam-like material consisting of a melamine-formaldehyde condensate. It is the active component of a number of abrasive cleaner sponges, notably the Magic Era ...

"flowers", and some of them almost reach the floor. Here is the place where the tour ends, although the cave has four more rooms: Landslide, Channel, Chocolate, and Geliktite. File:Marmurova pechera1.jpg File:Шапка Мономаха (натік).JPG File:Мраморная пещера. Август. 2017. 07.jpg File:Мраморная пещера - panoramio (3).jpg

References

External links

*
Pictures of Marble Cave with route description
Landforms of Crimea Tourist attractions in Crimea Show caves Caves of Russia Marble caves {{cave-stub

History

See also

References

External links