Punkevny caves – walking and boat tours, main halls, history of discovery. Excursion to the Syans Excursions to the caves

The Syanovsky quarries have attracted us for a long time, especially after a walk through the old caves. They are located not far from Moscow - in the Domodedovo district, the network of passages is extensive and extensive, and there are a lot of people there on weekends.

And when we came across an advertisement that you could take a tour of Syanami with a guide, we decided to take advantage of this opportunity.

And so, on Sunday morning, we took bus 439 from the Domodedovskaya metro station. You need to get off at the “School” stop in the village of Novlenskaya. Then you need to go to the Pakhra River, cross the dam and follow the path to the left. In a large recessed funnel, at the very bottom, there is a bus stop with a heap of garbage. Under the roof of the stop is the so-called. “Cathole” is an entrance to the caves, opened in 1988. Before this, all entrances to the quarries were filled with concrete or destroyed. Until now, the “Cat's Lair” is the only entry point to the Syanovsky quarries.

Descent into the quarries - “Cathole”

I would like to warn you right away: the excursion is carried out at a fairly fast pace and lasts about 4 hours. Most of the way you have to walk on half-bent legs, sometimes at a goose step, so that the next day your legs were noticeably sore. In some places we climbed on our bellies, one after another. In some places they pulled themselves up, in others they climbed forward with their feet. They all came out dirty as pigs. But very happy.

In general, the people living there are cheerful - and some, indeed, spend several days, almost weeks there. All the time along the way there are various signs, such as: Stop of the first carriage, Korolev (our guide announced: and now we are near Korolev). On a stone suspended from chains lies a clothed skeleton named Aristarchus - “spirit of the cave.” There are numerous examples of rock paintings on the walls.

Triangular manhole

Aristarchus - spirit of the cave

The first one went

Narrow passages (each with its own name) alternate with large halls. There are also dining rooms with tables and gas stoves, rookeries, and a “column” hall with a pole in the middle - for discos. There is also a temple - with frescoes on the walls, icons and burning candles. They say that the Satanists gathered in the cave for some time, laid out a certain sign out of stones, and installed a magic stone in the center - but were eventually evicted from the caves.

The hole looks narrow, but it's not the narrowest place we climbed through.

Temple in Syanakh

"Frescoes"

Prayer text

Disco with a pole in the middle

Here and there in the cave water oozes and collects in a trough - this water is used as drinking water.

In one of the halls, we sat around a table and had lunch.

Dining room

Since it was Sunday, there were quite a few people in the cave. From time to time we came across a group, or even single visitors. In one place people were lying and smoking hookah. And we didn’t get to the famous “skinner” Shchuchok, as some large group was passing through it. They say that after passing through Pike, people remembered how they were born into this world.

But we went through a baptism of fire in Gromov’s hole. You have to get into the hole with your feet first. First you screw into a horizontal hole, then it turns into a vertical one. Your legs are hanging in the air, and your hands have nothing to hold on to. They tell you from below: the ground is close. And then you flop down and find yourself in a narrow horizontal cavity. Getting out of it to the top is much more difficult, since there is nothing to rest your feet on and the size of the crevice does not allow you to turn around. In general, everyone struggled to get out of the treacherous hole.

There was also a triangular hole on our route, and we had to take a triangular shape, and then, as we moved, twist so that our feet were in front, and slide down feet first. And there was another hole where we crawled on our stomachs one after another. I can’t imagine what’s going on on Shchuchka - it seemed to me that in this hole we were barely squeezing forward. The backpacks, of course, were removed and they were pushed ahead of them.

Some images

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Vacation in the Dungeon

Vacation is not only a time of relaxation and well-deserved idleness. This is also an opportunity to get a lot of new impressions. For example, in... caves. Yes, yes, it is very exciting to explore the underground depths. And to help tourists, experts have compiled a list of the five most famous and beautiful caves in Russia. Moreover, one of them is located very close to us - in neighboring Khakassia. But first things first.

Akhshtyrskaya cave. Adler

Akhshtyrskaya Cave is the most significant cave near the Sochi coast, popular among tourists. Both adults and children can get to it - the cave is located on a cliff above Mzymta. A narrow winding path leads to the cave itself, sandwiched between a rock and a cliff.

Why is this particular cave on everyone’s lips and not some other? Yes, because only here you can see a clearly expressed cultural layering of ancient times. At least two human ancestors - Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons - once lived in the Akhshtyrskaya Cave. Coming here is like visiting a museum of the history of the Caucasian race. Scientists believe that the first settlers began to settle here 70 thousand years ago. True, after about 20 thousand years, due to a natural disaster, Neanderthals left their native lands. But the sharp drop in temperature was hardly noticed by the bears, who became full-fledged owners of the cave for the next fifteen thousand years. The return of upright primates occurred in the Early Bronze Age. Their intellectual level has grown, and this is reflected in the quality of their everyday life. All the details of the life of the Cro-Magnons were revealed by a five-meter “cultural layer”, mastered by archaeologists back in the last century.

Moreover, in addition to its historical significance, the cave is quite picturesque. Spacious halls give way to narrow, oppressive corridors.

Vorontsov Cave. Sochi

The Vorontsov cave system is a real underground miracle created by nature millions of years ago. The beauty and grandeur of this place attracts a huge number of tourists who come to spend their holidays in Sochi. The caves are located in the Khostinsky district, and anyone can get to them today. The complex owes its name to the village of Vorontsovka, which is located nearby.

Vorontsov caves in Sochi occupy third place among the longest caves in Russia. The total length of the entire system is 12 kilometers. It includes several caves: Vorontsovskaya cave (its length reaches four kilometers), Labyrinthovaya (3.8 kilometers), Kabanya (2.3 kilometers) and Dolgaya (despite the name, the shortest of the Vorontsov caves is one and a half kilometers long).

Once upon a time, in the place where the Vorontsov Caves are now located, there was a huge ancient ocean called Tethys. Millions of years ago, terrible cataclysms occurred on our planet: the seas dried up, the continents collapsed, and mountains, on the contrary, rose from the depths of the sea. So once upon a time the territory of the Caucasus rose to its present height, and the seabed of the dried up ocean turned into mountain ranges. Even today, layers of sea sediments and particles of fossilized sea inhabitants: shells and urchins are clearly visible in the caves. Each of the layers can tell a lot of interesting things about its era. At different times, saber-toothed tigers, woolly rhinoceroses, cave bears, wolves, wild boars, and even leopards lived in the Vorontsov caves. Researchers and archaeologists have found in caves the remains of hearths, traces of sites and rookeries of ancient tribes.

Kashkulak Cave (Cave of the Black Devil), Khakassia

It acted as a cult place for shamans, where they worshiped the stalagmite, which is a symbol of procreation and fertility, and also made sacrifices. Now the cave, located just 20 kilometers from the Shire, can be freely accessed on a guided tour.

If you have subtle sensitivity or want to touch the mystery, then you need to visit this mysterious place! Moreover, the cave attracts not only its mystical stories, but also the few surviving examples of rock art.

The Kashkulak cave welcomes guests in different ways: it is favorable to some and helps to cleanse itself, while it brings horror, fear and hallucinations to others. Some people see the image of a Shaman in a fox hat, hear the voice of a tambourine, experience inexplicable fear and even get lost in time, but many succumb to the influence of this anomalous place. However, paleontologists, geologists and speleologists do not observe any devilry here, but unanimously urge not to burn shamanic fires, but to take care of the fragile and unique ecosystem of this amazing natural monument. In its underground galleries all forms of cave formations are observed - stalactites, stalagmites, growths, limestone flows. The total length of these labyrinths is eight hundred and twenty meters. The depth also does not bring the Kashkulak cave into the category of record holders - forty-nine meters.

Kapova Cave (Shulgan-tash), Bashkiria

The Bashkir name of the cave is Shulgan-Tash. The word “tash” in Bashkir means “stone”, and “shulgan” means “disappeared”. To the left of the entrance is the Blue Lake, which is small in size - about three meters in diameter. The underground river Shulgan flows from it, flowing into the Belaya River. At first, this river flows along the surface, disappearing 2.5 kilometers north of the entrance to the cave. This river can also be found inside the cave.

The length of the Kapova Cave is 3,328 meters (of which 728 meters are under water). Has three floors. Consists of corridors, galleries, huge halls. There are underground lakes. An interesting thing is the huge stalagmite, three meters high and about eight meters wide at the base. The length of the first floor of the cave is only about 300 meters. You can climb to the second floor through a vertical well. And on the lower floor the Shulgan River flows, continuing to form new karst cavities.

Kapova Cave has gained worldwide fame thanks to its Paleolithic paintings. The age of the rock paintings is impressive: about 14-14.5 thousand years. There are 195 images in total, but only about three dozen are relatively well preserved. The size of the drawings is extremely large - from 44 to 112 centimeters. Almost all the drawings are made in red ocher, but there are a few made in charcoal. Our distant ancestors depicted mammoths, horses, and other animals in cave grottoes. There are also anthropomorphic figures, as well as signs that are more difficult to interpret.

Kungur cave, Perm region

The Kungur cave is rightfully considered the most beautiful in Russia. Its entire surface is covered with eternal layers of ice and frost. According to scientists, the age of the ice layers reaches about ten thousand years.

Ice droplets here gather into magnificent crystals, shimmering in many colors. This is achieved thanks to a lighting system based on laser illumination. There are also man-made ice sculptures here.

Surprisingly, despite the eternally reigning cold, a person once lived in the cave. This is evidenced by the hermit's hut discovered here, a dug well, as well as a lost bast shoe.

Accent:

Krasnoyarsk, or rather near our city, has its own protected dungeons. In particular, the Karaulnaya cave. This is a whole scientific and recreational environmental complex, which has a lot of interesting things. Those interested can visit Karaulnaya with a specially organized excursion.

Photo hotel-shira.ru

Change. Dear participants! If you need change, please notify the guide in advance. Another option is that you can pay for the excursion with 100% prepayment, then there will be no need for on-site calculations. Thank you! If you warned the guide, but he didn’t have change - .

What they say about us

Marina Pavlova ( https://vk.com/id329545733): On October 17, we went to Syany with a 13-year-old child, everything went just great! This is not our first descent underground; we visited both the Crimean caves and the Kerch quarries. Very interesting, but fairly standard excursions. Here everything was perceived completely differently. One entrance is worth it :)! We prepared in advance: we looked on the Internet for information and reviews, but we received no less pleasure and unexpected impressions. Many thanks to the organizer Nikita and the guide Sergei (especially for Shchuchka :)))).

Vadim Ivanov ( https://vk.com/id137661753): They offer great excursions. I was in the quarry in Syany and in the Neglinka collector. I really liked it. In fact, it is difficult to realize that you are “crawling” like a “savage” right under the very center of the capital: under Tsvetnoy Boulevard, under Red Square. Well, in the quarries you are amazed that not so long ago, civilian peasants in bast shoes were loading stone for the construction of Moscow, and now you are wandering here.

Yuri Okunev: Went today 11/15. A very original place and a unique atmosphere. During the excursion we crawled on our bellies and climbed into such narrow places that I would never have climbed myself. At the same time, there was no obligation - everyone climbed of their own free will. Special thanks to the young but professional guide, with whom it is easy to get along. I'm happy with the excursion. Thank you!

People are always drawn to secrets, and where can there be more of them than in dungeons? Many people are well aware of the catacombs of Rome, Paris or Odessa. The Greek word "catacombs" can be translated as "labyrinth" or "interweaving of underground passages." These places retain their age-old charm and attract many tourists, although visiting these artificial caves comes with certain risks. Often there are reports that someone is lost there, and rescuers conduct multi-day searches.

7925-904-76-87 Darina (call from 11:00 to 23:00) - organizer of excursions to Syny

Syany - artificial caves

The Moscow region also has its own catacombs. These are Syany or Syanovsky quarries - a system of artificially created caves. They are located near the village of Starosyanovo, on the left bank of the Pakhra River, 12 km from the Moscow Ring Road. The length of the drifts is close to 20 km, their main direction is east and northeast. The height of the passages is from 0.4 m to 3.5 m. The appearance of all artificial caves is associated with human activity. Sandstone was brought from quarries near Moscow for the construction of Moscow churches and cathedrals, starting in the 17th century. Stone mining was especially active in the 19th century and finally stopped only at the beginning of the 20th.

Previously, there were several entrances to the caves, but in 1974 they were all filled up. Allegedly, a boy climbed into the quarries and disappeared there.

In 1988, students from Moscow universities dug up one of the entrances to the Cat's Manhole cave at their own risk. Since the pilgrimage to these places was already gaining momentum, in 2007, with the help of the same enthusiasts, the entrance was strengthened and expanded, and a metal staircase was welded.

Attractions Xian

The second Sunday in September is the day of the grand opening of the caves. It gathers up to 2 thousand people. Newcomers undergo a kind of “initiation” from Aristarcha. It's an old jumpsuit with a skull head. A peculiar subculture with myths, traditions and rituals has developed around the object. Aristarchus is the chief keeper of the caves. They bring him gifts - money, cigarettes, etc. Next, the “neophytes” must crawl into the narrowest holes, which are called “ Pike" And " Pocket" Beginners who are overweight cannot handle this task; they remain uninitiated. And rightly so, overeating is harmful.

To help newcomers, regulars drew maps of moves and marked “attractions.” In addition to those already mentioned Aristarcha, Pike And Karmana, There is Milky- grotto black with soot. Drops of water create picturesque patterns on the soot, reminiscent of moire embossing. A naked woman flies along one of the walls of the grotto on a broom - Margarita. Venus Laz- a narrow passage in the shape of the Latin letter V, connecting two halls. Only a girl with the figure of the goddess mentioned in the title can get into it. Trains only- intersection of main passages. Visitors like to gather here to chat and eat. There are tables and chairs in the cave.

The most famous myth is the story of the White Speleologist, who helps good people and harms bad people, circling them around caves for a long time, luring them into dangerous places.

Safety system

The security system is very well thought out. At the entrance to Syany there is a visitor log. In this notebook, everyone must write down their first name, last name and address, so that if a person is lost, rescuers immediately begin a search. It is forbidden to burn fires; combustion releases carbon dioxide, which disturbs the microclimate of the cave. Rules of decency dictate that you say hello, don’t leave trash, and don’t shine a flashlight in the face of someone you meet.

To summarize, we can say that Syany can be considered an unusual tourist attraction, suitable for visiting by both extreme sports enthusiasts and ordinary people, although not very demanding of comfort.