- The Cave of the Bears was discovered on the 17th of September 1975, after dynamiting a marble career at Chiscau that formed a hole in the mountain through which dropped shotfirer Curta Traian from the region. After rigorous scientific research, a part of the cave has been refurbished and electrified being offered to touristic exploatation on 14 July 1980.
This cave called the Cave of the Bears is located in Bihor county from Romania, Apuseni Mountains.
Access roads: DN-76 (Oradea-Deva), with a derivation at km 86 in the village Sudrigiu, DJ-763, another 16 km (paved road).
The cave of the bears prevail not by size but by the fantastic formations and speleological agglomeration of which view is indisputably unique among caves arranged for tourism purposes.
Here there are many fossils of cave bear - Ursus Spelaeus - disappeared from about 15,000 years ago.
The entrance in the cave (482 m altitude) can be made through a tourist pavilion where is arranged a waiting room, a bar and a stand with handicraft products.
The total length of the cave is over 1500 m in the lower level with a length of about 700 m, a scientific reservation.
The upper part is designed with sidewalks and handrails on a total length of 847 m and in it is composed by three galleries, in the visiting order: Bears gallery, Emil Racovita gallery and The Candle gallery.
The first gallery is a little poor in formations, but in contrast rich in skeletal remains of cave bears. The true beauty is concentrated in the other two: The Mastodon, Fairy Palaces and Dwarves House, The lake with water lilies are just a few the symbolic names given to groups of formations by visitors and guides. The exit can be made through a fantastic gallery adorned with candles. The last room is symbolically called The elders council.
Visit lasts approximately 45 minutes, in groups led by licensed guides. Cave temperature (constant): 97%. Opening - all year - daily from 10 to 17 hours, Monday closed.
