Bgheri Cave Natural Monument

42°23′2.4″N 42°37′48″E / 42.384000°N 42.63000°E / 42.384000; 42.63000Established2011Governing bodyAgency of Protected AreasWebsiteBgheri Cave Natural Monument

Bgheri Cave Natural Monument (Georgian: ბღერის მღვიმე), also known as Bgheristskali cave, is a seasonal karst cave located near road between villages of Kumistavi and Qvilishori in Tsqaltubo Municipality in Imereti region of Georgia.^[1]

Morphology

Made of reef limestone (Barremian) cave was created by river Bgheristskali. The cave is 1,700 m (5,600 ft) in length and spreads over an area of 14,000 m² (150,000 sq ft). Initially the river creates a gorge with no openings and then flows into a narrow pond. Cave entrance is a 30 m (98 ft) long and 40–50 cm (16–20 in) high hole filled with fine sand and tree branches washed in from Bgheristskali river estuaries. Here Bgheristskali river is joined by permanent water flows from Melouri and Didghele caves. The river crosses an open space from east to west and disappears at the western ending in Nazvavi river and a small shallow siphon. Effects of erosion activity are clearly visible inside Bgheri Cave. It is characterized by huge halls, underground rivers with beautiful waterfalls and many amazing cave formations. Bgheri cave is part of extensive Tsqaltubo Cave system which also includes nearby cave Melouri.^[2]

Tourist information

Access to the cave is seasonal. Cave entrance is closed during seasonal floods at Bgeristskali river. Visitors without special equipment can enter cave only at a time of droughts, when the level of the water is low and the entrance is opened.^[2]

See also

• List of natural monuments of Georgia
• Didghele Cave Natural Monument
• Prometheus Cave Natural Monument

References

National parksStrict Nature ReservesManaged ReservesProtected LandscapesNatural Monuments