Lviv region hides under the ground a lot of beautiful and secret places that will be interesting to see for any tourist. Find out what caves there are on the territory of Lviv region and how to get there

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The Lviv region is not only the city of Lviv with its architectural masterpieces and cosy cafes, but also a mysterious world underground that hides unexplored caves full of secrets and legends. These underground labyrinths have remained invisible to human eyes for centuries and today attract researchers and tourists from all over the world. Here are some interesting and little-known caves in the Lviv region that are worth visiting.

Caves of the Kamianka River Valley

The Kamyanka River Valley, located in Skole district, promises to be a real discovery for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, being something of a Ukrainian answer to the famous canyons. This place impresses with its variety of natural attractions: from majestic rocks and mysterious caves to picturesque waterfalls and healing mineral springs scattered along the canyon-like valley.

The valley's largest waterfall, which reaches five metres in height, flows into Dead Lake, which is mysterious with its black water. The landscape is also decorated with majestic rocks of the Klyucha mountain range, which rise 15-20 metres and are about 55 million years old. Interesting names, such as Easter Island and Toy Library, are given to individual groups of rocks that are rich in caves. The complex labyrinths formed by cavities in the rocks connect about 20 caves of this complex. The Passage Yard stands out among them as the largest cave, with a total length of 520 metres.

Cave monastery in Rozgirche

At the foot of the mountain chain, there is a cave monastery in Rozgirche, first mentioned in the chronicles of 1460 and 1469. From the XIV to the XVII centuries, it was under the care of Basilian monks, most of whom took a vow of silence. A special permit allowed local residents to visit the monastery during holidays. The monks supported their existence by selling honey from their own bee farm. Inside the sanctuary, one can find stone inscriptions, various symbols and images of saints carved into the rock.

Although official records date the creation of the cave monastery in Rozgirche to the 15th century, there is evidence of its earlier use in pagan times. Archaeological excavations carried out in 1990 near the rock temple revealed traces of an agricultural settlement dating back to the 8th and 7th centuries BC.

You can get there from Lviv via the E471 highway in the direction of Stryi. To get from the regional centre to the caves, you will have to drive about 80 km.

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Neanderthal Cave or Pryima Grotto

The Priyma Grotto is an outstanding natural and archaeological heritage site of European scale. This camp of ancient people, dating back approximately 46,000 years, is one of the oldest settlements on the territory of modern Ukraine. It is located near the village of Pryima in the Mykolaiv district of Lviv region.

Archaeological research at the site lasted for ten years, and in 2004, the remains of a Neanderthal man and pieces of ceramic pottery were discovered.

Located in a secluded part of the forest and hidden among the hills, Pryima Grotto is not easy to find, which adds a special mysterious charm to the place. To get there, you should take the E471 to Rozvady or the village of Mykolaiv, where you can leave your car. Then you should walk deep into the forest. To find the right place, we recommend asking the locals for help.

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Honey Cave

This natural attraction is located in the Vynnyky Forest Park near Lviv, in the Mayorivka district. In the nineteenth century, stone was quarried at this site, resulting in a cave known as Medunka. Its name comes from the colour of the limestone that makes up the deposits that form the cave rooms.

The cave consists of interconnected "halls" that have attracted the attention of historians and curious travellers for many years. In 1914, it was recognised as an important natural monument in the vicinity of Lviv.

The cave is also associated with the legend of King Danylo's treasure. According to legend, a local miller tried to find the treasure, and when the chest was discovered, a ghost appeared in the cave in the form of an old man with a beard. This unearthly old man confused the miller, making him believe that his mill was on fire. Realising the deception, the miller decided to give up his treasure hunt and not to come into contact with ghosts anymore.

Stradchanska cave

This cave is located on the left bank of the Vereshchytsia River, near the village of Stradch in the Yavoriv district. This place is known for the fact that a monastery functioned here until the XIV century. The cave reaches a depth of 359 metres and is a place of pilgrimage thanks to a stone cross from the 11th century preserved in its depths.

The cave also contains unique objects, such as a stone chair for confession, a throne near which an eternal flame once burned, monastic cells and a wall decorated with the "tears of the Virgin Mary".

Most of the cave complex was created by humans on the basis of natural tectonic faults. In the era of Kievan Rus and the Galicia-Volyn principality, this underground monastery was the second most important after the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. It was mentioned in 1242 as "Domazhyriv's Cave" in the Galicia-Volyn Chronicle.

Earlier we wrote that travelling around Ukraine during the Easter period will allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of spring renewal and learn a lot about the country's traditions and culture. Read more about the routes that promise to give you an unforgettable experience here.

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